PORTUGAL was added to the UK’s safe list mid-August, allowing British holidaymakers to avoid quarantine on return to the UK.
But the country is already facing a rise in cases of coronavirus, putting it at risk of being removed from the list again.
Can I go to Portugal for my summer holiday this year?
Yes – the country is currently safe to travel to, after being lifted from the UK’s quarantine list on August 20.
The Foreign Office had previously advised against all but essential travel to mainland Portugal, and anyone returning would have to self-isolate for 14 days.
Madeira and the Azores had always been on the UK’s safe travel list after recording low infection rates, but holidaymakers had still had to quarantine on their return from the islands until August 20.
However, Portugal’s cumulative number of cases per 100,000 of the population over the course of seven days is now 19.4.
One of the government’s main benchmarks for imposing quarantine restrictions is that a country’s cumulative number of cases per 100,000 over seven days is below 20.
Paul Charles, the spokesperson for the Quash Quarantine group, said the current infection rate means the country could be taken off the Government’s travel corridor in the coming days.
He told the Daily Mail: “It will need to see a miracle drop in case numbers by Thursday to avoid being added again to the Government’s on-off quarantine list as it is quickly veering into the red zone.”
Will I need to quarantine for 14 days?
Tourists do not have to quarantine when entering the Portugal – and do not currently have to do so upon returning to the UK.
Madeira and the Azores will only allow visitors who have tested negative for coronavirus within the last 72 hours – but this could change depending on infection rates.
Why was Portugal not an air bridge country?
Portugal was left off England’s holiday quarantine-free list when the full list of air bridge destinations was announced last month.
It is understood the government’s decision not to initially include Portugal on the list was down to a spike in coronavirus cases in the capital Lisbon.
Are there flights from the UK to Portugal?
Most airlines are currently operating a reduced flight schedule to Portugal which is expected to pick up now the travel corridor is open.
Are restaurants and hotels open in Portugal?
More than a third of hotels in the Algarve opened their doors as far back as June, with 75 per cent expected to be open by now along with beaches.
Restaurants and cafes are also open, but with strict social distancing guidelines.
Cinemas and theatres opened again on June 1.
