The government served up a surprise by slashing the red list down to just seven remaining countries. It removed 47 countries including South Africa and Mexico.
It gives a much-needed boost for long haul holidays such as Thailand and the Seychelles. The only countries remaining on the red list are Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, Ecuador, Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
The changes are effective at 4am on Monday. The government also added 37 countries to the approved list for Covid-19 vaccines.
