Portugal remains on English safe travel list, but Wales and Scotland take different view

Wednesday, 04 Sep, 2020 0

English and Northern Irish holidaymakers in Portugal have been spared a dash back to Britain after the Government said there would be no change to the safe travel list.

But in another break from the previous UK-wide approach to travel corridors, the Welsh and Scottish Governments have taken a different view and imposed 14-day quarantine requirements on tourists returning from the country.

Wales also added Gibraltar to its quarantine list along with the Greek islands of Mykonos, Lesvos, Pavos, Antiparos and Crete. It had already added Zante earlier in the week.

Wales excluded Madeira and the Azores from its Portuguese travel ban.

Gibraltar remains on both the English and Scotland safe travel lists although the Scotland said it was ‘high on its watch list’.

On expanding the number of Greek islands from where tourists must quarantine, Welsh health minister Vaughan Gething said: "This action is being taken as a result of a large number of cases of coronavirus that have been imported into Wales from tourists returning from the Greek islands, in particular. In the last week, there have been more than 20 cases confirmed in passengers from one flight from Zante to Cardiff."

Portugal had been widely expected to be removed from all UK travel corridors – England included – after a spike in Covid cases.

But Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said no change would be made.

"We continue to keep the travel corridor under constant review and won’t hesitate to remove countries if needed," he tweeted. "However there are no English additions or removals today.

"Nonetheless, holidaymakers are reminded – 14 day quarantine countries can and do change at very short notice."

The contrasting approaches of the various governments will baffle the industry and travellers.

While Welsh and Scottish tourists face a dash back to the UK to avoid quarantine – and agents face more cancellations – their English counterparts have been spared.

In addition to Portugal, Greece was also said to be close to being removed from the English list.

Scotland imposed a 14-day quarantine for returning travellers from Greece earlier in the week.

Despite the unexpected reprieve for English holidaymakers in Portugal, ministers are expected to act swiftly if Covid cases continue to rise and, if necessary, will not wait for the usual Thursday afternoon review before removing the country from the list.