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Portugal was added to the UK’s ‘amber list’ of countries at 4am, meaning stricter travel restrictions now apply. British tourists must take two tests and quarantine for 10 days upon returning to the UK.
Last week, the Government announced Portugal would move from ‘green’ to ‘amber’ in its first review of the ‘traffic light’ system.
The country was downgraded over rising coronavirus cases and concern over a “Nepal mutation of the so-called Indian variant”.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said the move was a “safety-first approach”.
But thousands of British tourists made a rapid flight home to avoid isolating for ten days, with many angry over the policy change.
READ MORE: Furious Britons pack onto flights as Portugal placed on amber list
Antonio Costa, Portugal’s Prime Minister, was outraged by the UK’s decision to remove the country from the ‘green list’.
He told reporters: “We can’t have this system of instability and changes every three weeks.
“It isn’t good for those who plan their holidays, nor for those who have to organise the tourism industry to receive tourists in good conditions.”
Portugal’s foreign ministry added in a statement: “We take note of the British decision to remove Portugal from the travel ‘green list’, a decision whose logic is unfathomable.
“Portugal continues to carry out its prudent and gradual deconfinement plan, with clear rules for the safety of those who live here or visit us.”
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Under the UK’s ‘amber list’ rules, British tourists will be required to pay privately for tests before departure and during quarantines.
A PCR test, which is mandatory for those travelling to ‘amber’ and ‘red list’ countries, costs an average of £120.
Quarantining Brits must also pay for probate PCR tests on the second and eighth day of isolation.
According to data compiled by the Joint Biosecurity Centre, the seven-day case rate in Portugal was also lower than the UK’s with just 30.2 cases per 100,000, compared to the UK’s 35.9.
Yesterday saw cases continue to climb in the UK, with 5,683 recorded alongside one death within 28 days of a positive coronavirus test.
In total, the UK has now seen 4,522,476 cases and 127,841 death.
Covid vaccines are now available to those over 25 years old, with another 127,345 first doses and 259,941 second doses administered yesterday.
In total, the UK has administered 40,460,576 first doses and 27,921,294 second doses.
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