What is the coronavirus situation in some of the most popular holiday destinations?

Those returning from France (left) and Spain (right) are exempt from a 14-day quarantine when arriving in the UK. Credit: PA Images

For those who plan to travel abroad for a summer break, it's worth knowing how prevalent coronavirus is in your chosen destination.

On Friday, the government added to the list of destinations where holidaymakers can visit without self-isolating on their return to England.

Countries and territories including Spain, France and Greece are exempt from the government's advisory against all non-essential travel. 

Below are coronavirus statistics as of 24 July for some of the most popular holiday destinations among UK travellers, alongside a transmission classification from the World Health Organisation.

  • Red - reporting community transmission

  • Amber - reporting clusters of cases

  • Green - reporting sporadic cases

Tourists in Torremolinos on the Costa Del Sol, Spain. Credit: PA Images

Spain

  • 267,551 total cases

  • 7,773 new cases and nine new deaths over the past seven days

  • Amber category

Those travelling to Spain will undergo a visual health assessment and temperature check upon arrival. The Spanish Ministry of Health also requires visitors' contact information and a history of their exposure to Covid-19.

Greece

  • 4,077 total cases

  • 167 new cases and seven new deaths over the past seven days

  • Amber category

A Passenger Locator Form must be filled out at least 24 hours before visitors arrive in Greece. Once this is completed, passengers will be sent a QR code - they will need to show this to the authorities when they arrive in Greece.

Visitors in Ephesus, Turkey. Credit: PA Images

Turkey

  • 222,402 total cases

  • 6,462 new cases and 126 new deaths over the past seven days

  • Red category

All passengers arriving in Turkey will receive a medical assessment for coronavirus symptoms. Any passengers showing symptoms will have to take a swab test to determine whether they have coronavirus.

Visitors will also need to complete a passenger locator form prior to their arrival.

In some major Turkish cities, such as Ankara and Istanbul, wearing masks is mandatory at all times when outside the home.

Malta

  • 679 total cases

  • Five new cases and no new deaths over the past seven days

  • Green category

Visitors arriving in Malta will have their temperature taken. Anyone with a fever will have to take a swab test to determine whether they have Covid-19.

The Netherlands is in the World Health Organisation's 'red' category. Credit: PA Images

Netherlands

  • 52,241 total cases

  • 989 new cases and three new deaths over the past seven days

  • Red category

Those travelling to or from the Netherlands must complete a health screening form.

All people aged 13-years-old or above must wear masks at Eindhoven and Rotterdam airports.

The same rule applies for the check-in desks, security checks and boarding areas at Schiphol Airport.

Portugal

  • 49,150 total cases

  • 1,724 new cases and 26 new deaths over the past seven days

  • Amber category

Portugal is not on the UK government's travel corridor exemption list, so anyone returning from there to England will have to self-isolate for 14 days upon arrival.

Germany

  • 203,368 total cases

  • 3,642 new cases and 23 new deaths over the past seven days

  • Amber category

Those who have booked holidays to Germany should be aware of their airline’s coronavirus policy. For example, some carriers have made the wearing of face masks compulsory.

Coronavirus: Everything you need to know