The UK government is expected to remove all 11 countries from England’s red list, easing travel restrictions.

Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe are on the list.

The red list was reintroduced in late November as precaution after the emergence of the Omicron variant.

But ministers have cited the further spread of the variant as a reason for reviewing travel rules.

Currently, all UK arrivals from red list countries must pay for and self-isolate in a pre-booked, government-approved hotel for 10 days.

They must also take Covid tests within 48 hours of setting off for the UK and PCR tests within two days of their arrival.

Travel expert Simon Calder tweeted: “Key point: will people currently in now pointless hotel quarantine be able to leave?”