Portugal introduces quarantine requirement for UK holidaymakers

UK tourists visiting mainland Portugal must now quarantine for 14 days unless they are fully vaccinated.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The new rule came into effect on Monday amid growing concern over the spread of the Delta variant of coronavirus.

Previously UK visitors were exempt from the self-isolation requirement if they had evidence of a recent negative test.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But Portugal has taken a tougher stance, putting UK holidaymakers in the same risk category as those from South Africa, Brazil, India and Nepal.

Passengers prepare to board an easyJet flight to Faro, Portugal, at Gatwick AirportPassengers prepare to board an easyJet flight to Faro, Portugal, at Gatwick Airport
Passengers prepare to board an easyJet flight to Faro, Portugal, at Gatwick Airport

The UK Government removed Portugal from its green list earlier this month, which means people returning from the country must quarantine at home for 10 days.

Malta has announced that, from Wednesday, only fully-vaccinated travellers will be allowed to enter the country from the UK.

Read More
Half of under 30s in England vaccinated against Covid after ‘grab a jab’ weekend

Those aged between five and 11 must also show evidence of a negative PCR test taken within the previous 72 hours.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Wednesday is also the day that people returning to the UK from Malta will no longer need to self-isolate.

Meanwhile, the Spanish authorities are introducing new restrictions on UK visitors to the Balearic Islands, which include Ibiza and Mallorca.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez told radio network Cadena SER that travellers who are not fully vaccinated must have taken a recent negative PCR test.

The change will be enforced within 72 hours, he said on Monday morning.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

This means it will be in place when the Balearic Islands are added to the UK’s green list at 4am on Wednesday.

The Times reported that German Chancellor Angela Merkel wants the European Union (EU) to ban all UK travellers from entering the bloc.

The plan will be discussed by the EU’s integrated political crisis response committee, according to the newspaper.

Hong Kong has put the UK on its “very high risk” list, meaning it has banned arrivals from the UK unless the person is a Hong Kong resident, or a spouse or child of a resident.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The South China Daily Post also reported that Hong Kong has announced that from Thursday direct flights from the UK will be banned.

It is thanks to our loyal readers that we can continue to provide the trusted news, analysis and insight that matters to you. For unlimited access to our unrivalled local reporting, you can take out a subscription here and help support the work of our dedicated team of reporters.