Covid: plans for ‘amber watch list’ to be dropped, say government sources

Government sources have said plans for a new amber watch list of countries will be dropped, amid opposition from aviation bosses and some Tory MPs.

Fully vaccinated travellers from the US and amber EU countries can now enter England, Scotland and Wales without having to quarantine, although stricter rules remain in place for France.

The NHS Covid app is being tweaked so fewer contacts will be told to isolate, in an effort to reduce the disruption caused by the ‘pingdemic’.

Latest UK figures show just under 22,000 new Covid cases in the last 24 hours, while 24 deaths were reported.