The British government has added Portugal to the UK’s quarantine list as 646 new cases were recorded in 24-hours on Wednesday, which is the highest daily rate since April.
Portugal’s seven rate has now jumped to 28.3 cases per 100,000 population, which is above the British governments threshold of 20.
The British government typically makes changes to the quarantine list on a Thursday, which is then implemented to start from 4am on a Saturday.
Holidaymakers will now most likely be scrambling to buy tickets to return back to the UK this week to avoid the 14-day quarantine period.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said on Thursday, “Data shows we need to remove PORTUGAL (minus the AZORES and MADEIRA), HUNGARY, FRENCH POLYNESIA and REUNION from the Travel Corridor list to keep everyone safe.
“If you arrive in England from these destinations after 4am Saturday, you will need to self-isolate for 14 days.”
Shapps added, “All travellers returning to the UK MUST complete a Passenger Locator Form by law. This is vital in protecting public health & ensuring those who need to are complying with self-isolation rules.
“It is a criminal offence not to complete the form and spot checks will be taking place.”
Speaking to Sky News earlier on Thursday, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said, “We’ll be able to look at islands in other places, notably the Portugal and Spanish islands.
“But whether their data justifies [exempting them from quarantine requirements] at the moment is something I’m afraid we’ll have to wait until later today when we’ve completed our discussions with the Joint Biosecurity Centre.”
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