Much to the relief of the travel industry, Boris and Number 10 have confirmed that there will be no public amber watchlist.
However, there is in fact a secret amber watchlist for government eyes only; as ministers need to know which countries are of concern in terms of case numbers and variants.
Hereinafter known as Schrödinger's Watchlist!
“Ministers have a week to salvage the summer.” My latest thoughts on the failed traffic lights system. @GBNEWS @ThePCAgency pic.twitter.com/3mHpme5CPM
— Paul Charles (@PPaulCharles) August 2, 2021
Given the recent polling, and newspaper headlines citing various minister show want travel restrictions loosened, it is likely that the traffic light system will not be further complicated.
Transport select committee Chair Huw Merriman told BBC Radio 4 Westminster Hour’s Alex Forsyth:
“An amber watchlist will be viewed as a massive red flag which is likely to cause bookings to those countries on that watchlist to collapse.
In my view, we don’t need any more uncertainty, complexity, or anxiety for passengers, or this beleaguered sector. It just needs clarity. I would urge the government not to do anything with it.”
