The three countries at risk of being added to the travel red list

Speaking to Sky News, health minister Gillian Keegan said the Government would take “immediate action” following a spike in Europe.

Countries with higher case totals – such as Portugal and the Netherlands – could find themselves on the list next.

She refused to rule out whether her department would imminently add new countries to the list, reiterating a pledge to “keep things going” without shutting off travel full stop.

Ms Keegan said: “Obviously, we’ve put some more countries on the red list, but we’re not doing some things which would potentially shut travel down altogether.”

As with its last few iterations, the red travel list is subject to review.