GAZETTE readers say they would not consider taking a holiday abroad this summer after the Government announced Brits can travel to some European countries without the need to self-isolate on their return.

People in England can visit Portugal, Gibraltar and Israel from May 17 without self-isolating on their return, the Department for Transport (DfT) has announced.

They are the only popular summer short-haul destinations on the Government’s new green list for travel.

Meanwhile Turkey, the Maldives and Nepal have been added to the red list.

People returning from those countries after 4am on Wednesday will be required to stay in a quarantine hotel for 11 nights at a cost of £1,750 for solo travellers.

The DfT also announced from May 17, people who have had both doses of a coronavirus vaccine will be able to demonstrate their status on the NHS app currently used to book medical appointments.

Transport secretary Grant Shapps

Transport secretary Grant Shapps

People who do not have the app – which is different from the Covid-19 app – will be able to request an NHS letter from that date.

The green list also includes Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Brunei, Iceland and the Faroe Islands.

This is in addition to the remote territories of the Falklands, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, Saint Helena, Ascension Island and Tristan da Cunha.

Despite being on the green list, people will not be able to go on holiday to Australia, New Zealand or Singapore as they are closed to UK tourists.

In a Gazette poll, 26 per cent of 139 respondents said they would be willing to get on a plane this summer, while 41 per cent said they “wouldn’t be going anywhere”.

But reader Hannah Browning said: “I have family abroad who I couldn’t visit last year, so I’ve booked flights and fingers crossed.”