NEWS that quarantine will not apply to people arriving back in England from 73 countries and territories has been welcomed in the region.

The Government yesterday published a full list of countries and territories that English holidaymakers can visit without self-isolating on their return, which comes into effect from July 10.

It features popular short-haul destinations such as Spain, France, Italy, Turkey, Greece and Cyprus, as well as long-haul locations including Australia, Barbados, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand and Vietnam.

Fourteen British Overseas Territories are also included.

Portugal, America, China and Thailand are not on the list, meaning arrivals will have to isolate for 14 days.

Nick Jones, chief executive of Newcastle International Airport, said: “

Our airlines serve many destinations throughout the 59 countries and territories that have been announced today including Spain, Greece, Italy, Turkey and the Netherlands. We are delighted that passengers will now be able to travel freely without the need to self-isolate on their return."

Teesside International Airport will start flying to Amsterdam from August 3 but details of when other international flights will resume have yet to be announced.

The Northern Echo:

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “This is welcome news, and means that people from across Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool can fly to Amsterdam Schiphol safe in the knowledge they won’t have to quarantine when they get home.

“As we begin our economic recovery following the coronavirus, and as people look forward to short breaks as lockdown restrictions ease, these flights to the Dutch capital will help strengthen and renew our business ties across the globe.

“Not just that, but being able to travel to dozens of other exempt countries worldwide from Teesside via Schiphol means we are able to throw our doors open and attract global investment, which is key to my plan for jobs and our recovery.

“This announcement also comes just days after KLM Royal Dutch Airlines gave our airport a huge vote of confidence by agreeing a five-year deal to continue this key route, which will be reintroduced on August 3. This is yet another boost as we continue to get services from our airport safely back to normal.”

The Government has published the list of 73 countries and territories that people can travel to England from without quarantining from next week.

The full list is:

Andorra

Antigua and Barbuda

Aruba

Australia

Austria

Bahamas

Barbados

Belgium

Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba

Croatia

Curacao

Cyprus

Czech Republic

Denmark

Dominica

Faroe Islands

Fiji

Finland

France

French Polynesia

Germany

Greece

Greenland

Grenada

Guadeloupe

Hong Kong

Hungary

Iceland

Italy

Jamaica

Japan

Liechtenstein

Lithuania

Luxembourg

Macau

Malta

Mauritius

Monaco

Netherlands

New Caledonia

New Zealand

Norway

Poland

Reunion

San Marino

Serbia

Seychelles

South Korea

Spain

St Barthelemy

St Kitts and Nevis

St Lucia

St Pierre and Miquelon

Switzerland

Taiwan

Trinidad and Tobago

Turkey

Vatican City

Vietnam

As well as those listed above, the 14 British Overseas Territories will also be exempt from the quarantine measures, according to the gov.uk website