Transport Secretary Grant Shapps admitted that the UK's traffic light list for travel could be unpredictable, but committed to keeping the latest changes in place for the remainder of August.
It came as UK politicians face pressure to remove confusion and uncertainty from the traffic light system.
The plea from the travel industry came as ministers abandoned plans to create a new “amber watchlist” to warn travellers not to visit destinations such as Spain.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson promised to "get the the travel industry moving again".
What are the green, amber and red lists?
Under the current rules, fully vaccinated travellers can return from amber list countries without quarantining, but those returning from red-list countries must pay £1,750 ($2,432) to spend 10 days in a government-approved hotel.
Unvaccinated passengers returning from amber countries need to self-isolate at home.
Any passenger returning from a green list country is not required to quarantine when they land in the UK. A separate green watchlist identifies the countries that could suddenly change from green to amber.
All travellers are required to take a pre-departure test and another two days after landing in the country.
What countries have turned from red to amber?
The UAE and Bahrain will be removed from the UK's travel red list, the British government announced on Wednesday night, providing a major boost to tourism and allowing families to be reunited.
They will join other amber list countries, meaning that people entering the UK from these points of origin do not have to pay to quarantine in a government hotel for 10 days.
The UAE was placed on the red list in late January. A decline in infections, a high vaccination rate and greater clarity on the virus strains means the UAE and Bahrain, with India and Qatar, will move from red to amber at 4am British Summer Time on Sunday, August 8.
Which countries turned green?
The Department for Transport stated it was “cautiously reopening international travel” by adding Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Slovakia, Latvia, Romania and Norway to the government’s green list for travel.
Travellers from those countries do not need to be vaccinated but must present a negative Covid test within two days of arrival.
Can the rules change?
Mr Shapps said the changes would remain in place for the remainder of August, but said that the situation could change after then.
"We've certainly lived with coronavirus long enough to know it can be unpredictable. However, we’ve also lived with it long enough to get the majority of the population vaccinated," he told BBC's Radio 4 Today programme.
"That does mean this summer we’re able to set out a three-week programme rather than one week, which was the situation last year.
"I’m hoping people will be able to go away under the simplified system, enjoy their breaks, not be looking over their shoulder the whole time and, as long as they follow the processes, they can have a great time."
What is the ‘amber watchlist’?
Ministers had been planning to introduce an amber watchlist to warn countries at risk of turning red at short notice, with arrivals having to quarantine in hotels.
But the idea was scrapped after a backlash from the travel industry, which argued holidaymakers could be deterred from going abroad.
Before abandoning the new designation, Mr Johnson said: "We must try and stop variants coming in, must stop importing variants from abroad, so we have to have a balanced approach.
"What I want to see is something that is as simple and as user friendly for people as possible."
At the weekend, the proposal to expand the number of travel categories caused a split among Cabinet ministers, some of whom argued that popular holiday destinations such as Spain could be put on the red list at short notice.
The special restriction placed on France, which was placed on the amber plus list, requiring passengers to self-quarantine for 10 days, even if they had been fully vaccinated, has been removed.
But, Georgia and Mexico, along with the French-run islands of La Reunion and Mayotte, have been added to the red list.
Why is the traffic light system causing tension?
Chancellor Rishi Sunak warned Mr Johnson that the UK’s travel restrictions were “out of step with our international competitors” and were putting a brake on the economy.
Mr Sunak is said to be calling for the UK to take advantage of its successful vaccination programme by opening up further.
It was the latest salvo in the battle over Britain’s border policy, with France last week accusing the UK of discrimination after it was placed on the so-called amber-plus list owing to the spread of the Beta variant.
This meant the quarantine exemption for the fully immunised was scrapped and those returning from France had to isolate for 10 days.
What does the travel industry say?
Heathrow Airport boss John Holland-Kaye said on Monday the industry wanted certainty for travel rules.
“We need to simplify as much as we can to enable more people to travel,” he told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.
He urged ministers to use the dividend from the vaccination drive to reopen travel.
“We should be able to at least catch up with the Europeans,” he said.
“The UK should be showing that if you get vaccinated you can get your life back to normal.”
How has the traffic light system changed over time?
A significant change took place on Monday when the rules were tweaked to allow people fully vaccinated in the US and EU to avoid quarantine.
Previously, only people vaccinated in the UK could benefit from quarantine-free travel.
The government has said it plans to loosen quarantine arrangements for "like-minded" countries in coming months.
What did Boris Johnson say?
Mr Johnson warned would-be holidaymakers that Covid-19 was still dangerous.
"We must try and stop variants coming in, must stop importing variants from abroad, so we have to have a balanced approach," he said.
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Sav%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202021%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Purvi%20Munot%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20FinTech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%24750%2C000%20as%20of%20March%202023%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Angel%20investors%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Draw:
Group A: Egypt, DR Congo, Uganda, Zimbabwe
Group B: Nigeria, Guinea, Madagascar, Burundi
Group C: Senegal, Algeria, Kenya, Tanzania
Group D: Morocco, Ivory Coast, South Africa, Namibia
Group E: Tunisia, Mali, Mauritania, Angola
Group F: Cameroon, Ghana, Benin, Guinea-Bissau
Quick pearls of wisdom
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
'I Want You Back'
Director:Jason Orley
Stars:Jenny Slate, Charlie Day
Rating:4/5
Company profile
Company name: Suraasa
Started: 2018
Founders: Rishabh Khanna, Ankit Khanna and Sahil Makker
Based: India, UAE and the UK
Industry: EdTech
Initial investment: More than $200,000 in seed funding
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre supercharged V8
Power: 712hp at 6,100rpm
Torque: 881Nm at 4,800rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 19.6 l/100km
Price: Dh380,000
On sale: now
Things Heard & Seen
Directed by: Shari Springer Berman, Robert Pulcini
Starring: Amanda Seyfried, James Norton
2/5
Brief scoreline:
Al Wahda 2
Al Menhali 27', Tagliabue 79'
Al Nassr 3
Hamdallah 41', Giuliano 45 1', 62'
RESULTS
2pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (Dirt) 1,200m
Winner: Najem Al Rwasi, Fabrice Veron (jockey), Ahmed Al Shemaili (trainer)
2.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Fandim, Fernando Jara, Majed Al Jahouri
3pm: Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 1,700m
Winner: Harbh, Pat Cosgrave, Ahmed Al Mehairbi
3.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 1,700m
Winner: Wakeel W’Rsan, Richard Mullen, Jaci Wickham
4pm: Crown Prince of Sharjah Cup Prestige (PA) Dh200,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Jawaal, Fernando Jara, Majed Al Jahouri
4.30pm: Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Cup (TB) Dh200,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Tailor’s Row, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
How Beautiful this world is!
RESULTS
5pm Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,600m
Winner Thabet Al Reef, Bernardo Pinheiro (jockey), Abdallah Al Hammadi (trainer)
5.30pm Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m
Winner Blue Diamond, Pat Cosgrave, Abdallah Al Hammadi
6pm Arabian Triple Crown Round-1 Listed (PA) Dh230,000 (T) 1,600m
Winner Hameem, Adrie de Vries, Abdallah Al Hammadi
6.30pm Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner Shoja’A Muscat, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
7pm Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m
Winner Heros De Lagarde, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
7.30pm Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 (T) 2,400m
Winner Good Tidings, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
THE SPECS
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 275hp at 6,600rpm
Torque: 353Nm from 1,450-4,700rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
Top speed: 250kph
Fuel consumption: 6.8L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: Dh146,999
Company name: Farmin
Date started: March 2019
Founder: Dr Ali Al Hammadi
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: AgriTech
Initial investment: None to date
Partners/Incubators: UAE Space Agency/Krypto Labs
