What are the 4 Balearic Islands and when are they moving to the amber list?
They're a popular tourist draw.
Some of Europe’s biggest holiday hotspots have been moved from the green to the amber travel list in England’s latest travel update.
Among those affected are the Balearic Islands – which previously had green status, meaning that people arriving in England from there would not have to self-isolate on arrival, but simply take a Covid test two days and eight days after returning.
However, following a surge in cases they are heading back to amber – meaning that thousands of returning holidaymakers face having to self-isolate for 10 days when they arrive home.
The Balearic Islands are a big tourist draw – but what are the four main islands, where are they located and when will they be turning amber?
What are the 4 Balearic Islands?
The four main Balearic Islands are Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera.
There are 151 islands or islets in total in the region, but only five of them are inhabited; the fifth of these, Cabrera, has only a tiny number of residents – but it is possible to visit the island, known for its National Park.
Of the four main islands, Mallorca is the largest, with a population of over 900,000, followed by Menorca and Ibiza.
The smallest of the four, Formentera, has a population of around 12,000.
The islands are hugely popular holiday destinations, with an estimated 14m foreign tourists visiting in 2019 as well as over five million visitors from Spain.
When are the Balearic Islands joining the amber list?
The islands will turn amber from 4am on Monday July 19.
Anybody arriving in England from there before that time will still be able to return under green list rules, meaning they will not have to self-isolate but will have to take a Covid test two days and eight days after their arrival.
Those arriving after that time will be subject to amber list rules upon arrival in England.
On return, travellers will have to quarantine for 10 days at home – although they will have the option of ending this early under the Government’s Test To Release scheme, which allows passengers to book a Covid test on day five of self-isolation, and end it if it is negative.
From July 19 those who are fully vaccinated – who have had both doses of a Covid jab more than two weeks earlier – will no longer have to self-isolate upon returning from an amber list country, although they will have to take a Covid test two days after they arrive in England.
Children under 18 will not have to self-isolate from this date onwards either, but will still have to take a test on day two (those aged four and under are exempt from this).
You will need to book and pay for this test yourself – it cannot be done through the NHS – and you will need to declare you are using the scheme on your Passenger Locator form.
All information is correct at the time of writing – for the latest rules, refer to the FCO website.
MORE : Can I travel to Croatia this summer and what are the entry requirements?
Follow Metro across our social channels, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Share your views in the comments below.