The red list is reportedly set to be halved in time for next month’s half-term as the UK government relaxes its international travel rules.
Dozens of countries, including Turkey, could be removed from the classification which currently prohibits travel to 62 destinations.
Transport secretary Grant Shapps is also expected to announce on Friday (17 September) that the traffic light system for travel will be simplified with the scrapping of the amber list. All countries will be either red or green.
The red list requires passengers to pay £2,285 to quarantine in a hotel for 11-nights on their return to the UK.
According to The Times, the list will be "more than halved", meaning that the vast majority of countries will be opened up for double-jabbed British tourists in time for the half-term break in October.
Ministers are also reportedly poised to announce a major overhaul of the UK’s Covid-19 travel testing regime on Friday (17 September).