Portugal and Hungary are taken off quarantine exemption list – meaning holidaymakers must get home by 4am on Saturday or self-isolate for two weeks
Portugal and Hungary have today been removed from the quarantine exemption list, meaning holidaymakers must rush home or face a two-week quarantine.
Those arriving in England from four countries must now self-isolate for 14-days from 4am on Saturday, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said.
A travel corridor between Portugal and the UK had only been opened a few weeks ago, but the popular holiday destination has now been removed after a rise in coronavirus cases.
The Portuguese islands of Madeira and the Azores are exempt from the new rule, which also imposes two-week quarantines for those arriving to England from Hungary, French Polynesia and Reunion.
Downing Street also today announced Sweden has been added to the travel corridors list, after its seven-day case rate fell to 11.6 per 100,000 people.
Announcing the change on Twitter today, Mr Shapps said: ‘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.
‘Through enhanced data we now have the capability to assess islands separate to their mainland countries. If you arrive in England from the AZORES or MADEIRA, you will NOT need to self-isolate for 14 days.
‘This week, SWEDEN has been ADDED to the Travel Corridors list. If you arrive In England from Sweden, you will NOT need to self-isolate for 14 days.’
Mr Shapps added that all travellers returning to the UK must now complete a Passenger Locator Form to ‘protect public health’ and ensure self-isolation rules.
‘It is a criminal offence not to complete the form and spot checks will be taking place,’ he said.