Ministers will meet on Thursday (28 October) to discuss plans to remove the policy – which may not be enacted until the New Year, according to The Telegraph.

The current hotel quarantine rules are expected to be replaced by a requirement for travellers to self-isolate at home for 10 days, regardless of whether they are fully vaccinated.

Ministers are also considering removing the final seven countries from the red list – Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, Ecuador, Haiti and the Dominican Republic – with a Telegraph source saying it was “almost certain” restrictions would be lifted.

It is understood next week’s Cop26 climate summit in Glasgow, which will welcome delegates from the seven countries, is a factor in the government’s decision.

Although being removed, according to The Telegraph, it is likely ministers will keep the red list “in reserve” in the event of the emergence of new Covid variants or a resurgence in the virus. 

Anyone returning from a red list country would then have to quarantine at home.

The source said: "There is a strong desire to abolish the red list, but a final decision will be taken on Thursday. It has been very much the expectation with the added pressure of Cop26."