What is 'Amber Plus', and what does it mean for travel to France?

Fully vaccinated Britons returning to England from France will still be subject to self-isolation rules after July 19, following a Government u-turn on Friday. 

We answer the key questions about the new “Amber Plus” category.

What is 'Amber Plus'?

Dubbed “Amber plus” the rules for France effectively create a new category under the UK Government’s traffic light system for international travel. Fully vaccinated Britons returning to England (different rules may apply for the other UK nations; Wales has confirmed it will follow England’s rule change) from France will continue to be subject to up to 10 days of self-isolation at home or in other accommodation after July 19. 

Double jabbed Britons arriving from amber list destinations other than France will, effective July 19, be exempt from the requirement to self-isolate. 

All Britons travelling from France are also required to: have proof of a negative Covid test; book and pay for PCR tests on day two and day eight (with their arrival date being day zero) and complete a passenger locator form.

Why is France on the 'Amber Plus' list?

It has come amid concerns over the spread of the beta, previously known as the South African, variant and fears that it may be more resistant to the current vaccines. 

The decision was “following the persistent presence of cases in France of the Beta variant,” according to the Government.

Véronique Trillet-Lenoir, a French MEP and medical doctor, claimed the rule change based on a misinterpretation on variant data. She told the BBC that the variant was only a concern of the island of Réunion in the Indian Ocean – a French overseas department. 

The Telegraph contacted the Department of Health and Social Care for comment. 

Can I get a refund for my holiday?

This will depend on the policy of your travel provider. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is not advising against travel to France. If that were to change, then package holidays would have to be cancelled. If a package holiday provider cancels your trip then you are entitled to a full refund within 14 days of the cancellation date. 

Most holidaymakers travel to France independently, booking their flights and accommodation separately. British Airways and easyJet are among the airlines operating flights to France.

British Airways customers can cancel their flight and request a voucher for the value of their booking. They can also rebook their flight for any reason up to the time that check in closes.

EasyJet customers can transfer their flights to another date or destination up to two hours before departure, fee free. 

If you have booked accommodation independently and don’t want to travel, then your rights will depend on the terms of your booking. You will only be able to cancel or reschedule without penalty if your contract allows you to do so. It is worth contacting your accommodation provider to see if they will offer leniency on this, however. 

France is welcoming double jabbed Britons: see our advice guide for travel to the country.

What does this mean for Eurostar passengers? 

Eurostar passengers whose journey to England begins outside of France will not be subject to self-isolation rules. 

A spokesperson for Eurostar said: “Our one daily train from Amsterdam stops in Lille. 

“As per the guidance received from the Government, we will apply a strict segregation procedure between passengers originating from Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Brussels and those boarding in Lille. The former will not have to self isolate on arrival.”

However, all Britons whose Eurostar journeys begin in France will have to self-isolate on arrival in England. 

What if I am travelling back from Spain?

The self-isolation requirement includes any fully vaccinated individual who transits through France from either a green or another amber country to reach England. 

If you drive from Spain to England and pass through France, you will be subject to the self-isolation rules for France. 

Can I still get insurance for a trip to France? 

Yes, while the FCDO does not advise against travel to France it will be easier to secure insurance for a trip to the country. See more information online for insurance for amber list destinations. 

Could other countries be added to the ‘Amber Plus’ list?

Yes, it is certainly possible. There are more than 140 countries and territories on the amber list .“Amber Plus” provides the Government with another risk category that has less onerous rules than those of the red list. Britons returning from red list destinations are subject to a 10-day stay in a quarantine hotel at a cost of up to £1,750 per adult, regardless of their vaccination status.