Rising coronavirus infection rates could see several countries move to the red and amber travel lists, leading to Brits scrambling to get home to avoid having to quarantine.

Experts predict only five countries are likely to go green, with some holiday hotspots slipping off the list and going amber due to an increase in the number of cases.

According to analysis Bhutan, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Saudi Arabia are likely to go green due to Covid-19 infection rates, the proportion of positive tests and the level of vaccination.

But Croatia, Madeira, Israel and Antigua could slip off the green list and turn amber, while Caribbean islands Jamaica, Saint Lucia and Dominica have been tipped to go on the red list, as well as Morocco.

And despite hopes Turkey – a popular holiday destination for Brits – could go amber, it is thought it will remain on the red list.

Government sources told the Mail last night that no decisions have yet been made ahead of this week’s travel review, but they suggested additions to the green list would be ‘limited’.

The most recent data from abroad is expected to be looked at tomorrow or Wednesday to inform the decision.

There are currently 36 countries on the green list, and 16 of these are on a ‘watchlist’ meaning they could move to amber at short notice.

It comes as many families were expected to be holding out for more countries turning green, so they could go on a last-minute summer holiday before their children return to school.

Parents may have older teenagers who have not yet been fully vaccinated, which means they would not be able to skip quarantine if they visit an amber list country.

Currently, those who have been double-jabbed and are returning from an amber-list country have to take a Covid-19 test before departing for the UK, and on day 2 after their return. They do not have to quarantine.

Those coming back from red list destinations currently have to quarantine in hotels for 11 nights at a cost of more than £2,000, regardless of their vaccination status.

Travel bosses claim the Government’s failure to expand the green list over the summer has affected confidence in booking trips abroad.

Paul Charles, of travel consultancy The PC Agency, said: ‘There have been so many opportunities for the Government to widen the green list and give consumers more confidence to book and travel.

‘But they continue to dash the hopes not only of families wanting late summer getaways but also airlines and travel firms, which desperately need the Government to expand overseas travel options.’

Martin Chalk, of the pilots’ union Balpa, said the Government had ‘destroyed confidence’ in international travel and impacted on the industry’s ability to recover.

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