But seven Greek islands will have their travel corridors removed from 9 September following the announcement in the House of Commons: Lesvos, Tinos, Serifos, Mykonos, Crete, Santorini and Zakynthos.

The Foreign Office is now also advising against all but essential travel to these islands, but is not advising those already travelling in these destinations to leave. 

Shapps said improved data had led to the change of policy whereby islands with low incidences of Covid-19 could be exempt from UK quarantine even if the mainland was not.

However, he added: “We are now in a position to remove seven Greek islands at 4am on Wednesday,” he said, without naming them.

The Department for Transport will now allow islands to re-open to UK visitors if “robust data” proves they are safe and there are direct flights from the UK. He said the FCO advice “must align as far as is practicable”.

Shapps added the government was working with health experts on testing procedures that could reduce the quarantine period. 

Shapps was asked when he would announce an extension of testing for travellers. However, he indicated there was not enough capacity in the system to introduce airport tests. 

“Testing is a large part of the solution; there’s pressure on the testing system with universities and schools going back. Capacity is something that will be an issue."

He declined to give a date for any announcement, saying only: “I will return to the house with proposals that are currently being discussed with the industry.”