TORY MPs are contemplating loosening travel restrictions from the amber list countries under which double-jabbed UK travellers can skip quarantine on arrival back home, a media report said.
Under changes being considered by ministers, Britons who have both the doses of Covid-19 may soon be allowed quarantine-free entry into the UK from amber-list countries, said a report by The Guardian which added that the plan is still in an early stage.
Tory minister Jesse Norman confirmed the plan is being looked at by telling Sky News: "This is one of those things that’s being considered” and that the government is “keeping all these fast-moving developments under a fairly close review”.
UK health secretary Matt Hancock is said to be open to the idea. The move is also seen as further encouragement to people to get both the jabs.
Amber list has more than 150 countries and territories including the US and some of the most popular destinations in Europe and such a move may pave the way for double-jabbed sunseekers to enjoy quarantine-free summer holidays in popular foreign locations. Those who have not been fully inoculated will still face the same restrictions currently in force for amber list countries.
(PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA/AFP via Getty Images)
The plans are reportedly ready to be discussed by the Cabinet Covid operations committee within the next two weeks, just in time before the June 28 deadline when ministers are expected to review the current traffic light system for testing and quarantine rules for travellers.
Under current rules, travellers are advised against going to amber or red list countries. The ones who arrive in England from destinations on the amber list must quarantine at home or in the place where they are staying for 10 days, and take at least two Covid-19 tests during the period.
Earlier this month, Portugal, a popular summer destination, was abruptly taken off the green list and added to the amber list, leading to chaos among the travellers.
The news comes as Europe's biggest airline Ryanair is set to launch legal action against Britain over its travel policy. Easing travel restrictions for double vaccinated people reportedly will placate airlines that are desperate for restrictions to be relaxed during the peak summer season when they make most of their profits.
Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap perform at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Police may probe anti-Israel comments at Glastonbury
BRITISH police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after performers at Glastonbury Festival made anti-Israel comments during their shows.
"We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon," Avon and Somerset Police, in western England, said on X late on Saturday (28).
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan made anti-Israeli chants in separate shows on the West Holts stage on Saturday. One of the members of Bob Vylan chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
"Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation," the police statement said.
The Israeli Embassy in Britain said it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival".
Prime minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month it was "not appropriate" for Kneecap to appear at Glastonbury.
The band's frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert in November. He has denied the charge.
A British government minister said it was appalling that the anti-Israel chants had been made at Glastonbury, and that the festival's organisers and the BBC broadcaster - which is showing the event - had questions to answer.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
"I'd also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank," Streeting told Sky News.
"I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously," he said.
(Reuters)