Amber Is The New Green

THE effect of the government's announcement yesterday on foreign travel for the fully vaccinated is that the list of green countries has been expanded to take in those on the amber list.

I am due to fly to Switzerland on Thursday for the Basel schachfestival, which runs from Saturday 17 to Tuesday 20.

My flight back is on Wednesday 21, two days after the new rules come into effect.

Previously I would have been required by law to take a rapid antigen test in Switzerland and two PCR tests while quarantining for 10 days in England.

Now I 'only' have to take a rapid antigen test in Switzerland and one PCR test in England, without having to quarantine.

The Foreign Office today also dropped its advice against all but essential travel to Switzerland.

All-in-all the changes are huge for those inclined to follow government rules and advice; not much of a change for those less inclined.