Brits rush to book breaks abroad — as travel chiefs say Covid green list should be expanded

BRITS rushed to book breaks abroad yesterday — as travel chiefs said the Covid green list should be expanded.

The UK’s biggest holiday firm, TUI, had its “best day” in months, with six in ten bookings for Portugal.

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Thomas Cook also saw high demand while EasyJet has put on an extra 80,000 seats to green list spots.

Jet2holidays said its bookings were 1,300 per cent up on a week ago.

Demand was also high for Gibraltar, Madeira and Israel.

They are on the 12-strong green list, meaning Brits can visit after May 17 without having to self-isolate on return.

Jet2holidays boss Steve Heapy said: “We’ve seen enormous pent-up demand and this rush of bookings just shows how ready people are to get away.”

EasyJet Holidays boss Garry Wilson added that he was “disappointed” at the size of the list.

He said the Balearic, Canary and Greek islands fitted the Government’s Covid safety criteria and should be included.

Virgin Atlantic called the list “overly cautious” and urged that the US be added.

The list will be reviewed every three weeks.

Travel industry consultant Paul Charles said: “There is a lot of fixing to do next time.

“More countries should have been made green this time.

“Malta, for example, is a big miss.”

Meanwhile, virologist Dr Chris Smith said overseas travel could undermine the UK’s successful jabs programme.

He urged Brits to “sit tight for a little longer”.

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