Overseas travel rules are expected to be “broadly similar in design” across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, the Transport Secretary has said.

Grant Shapps told a Downing Street press conference that he had spoken with the devolved administrations and that England’s traffic light system had been created with their agreement.

Quarantine and coronavirus testing requirements for people arriving in England from May 17 – when foreign holidays are permitted – will be based on the new system, with destinations placed on green, amber and red lists.

Mr Shapps said on Friday: “All of the four chief medical officers of the Joint Bio Security Centre have met and agreed the principles that sit behind the traffic light system, so there is a large degree of agreement and co-operation in developing the system.”

No plans for the resumption of foreign holidays have been announced by the UK’s devolved administrations.

However, Mr Shapps highlighted there were ongoing election counts in Wales and Scotland which meant their governments were “in flux” and “it may take a few days for them to describe precisely what they wish to do”.

He said he expected other UK nations’ rules will be “broadly similar in design”.

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “The First Minister has previously said that international travel restrictions won’t be relaxed until May 17 at the earliest.

“This is being kept under review and we would expect the new administration to announce its intentions as soon as possible.”

Under the traffic light system, people arriving from a green location will not need to quarantine on their return and will have to take one post-arrival test.

Those returning from an amber list country must self-isolate for at least five days and take two tests.

The red list requires an 11-night stay in a quarantine hotel at a cost of £1,750 for solo travellers.

Twelve countries – including Portugal, Gibraltar and Israel – will be added to the Government’s green list for travel from May 17.

Meanwhile Turkey, the Maldives and Nepal have been added to the red list.