Travellers from the UK could be banned visiting European Union (EU) nations under coronavirus rules after the Brexit transition period.
At current, only eight countries with low rates of Covid-19 outside the EU are able to make non-essential visits to the bloc.
From January 1st – when the Brexit transition ends – the UK will no longer be part of the EU’s free movement rules and with coronavirus cases still high in Britain, residents in the country could be banned from travelling to EU nations in the New Year.
The Financial Times have reported that tourists from the UK will only be able to travel to the EU if individual states make exemptions.
Only Hungary and Croatia haven’t applied the travel ban list at present.
A UK government spokesperson said: “We cannot comment on decisions that could be taken by other states on public health matters.
“We take a scientific, risk-based approach to health measures at the border, and it is of course in the interests of all countries to allow safe international travel as we emerge from the pandemic.”
It comes as Prime Minister Boris Johnson is in Brussels to negotiate a trade deal with EU chief Ursula von der Leyen.
Speaking on the talks, von der Leyen said: “We had a lively and interesting discussion on the state of play on outstanding issues.
“We understand each other’s positions. They remain far apart.
“The teams should immediately reconvene to try to resolve these issues. We will come to a decision by the end of the weekend.”