Covid-19: Portugal Among Territories Added to England‘s Quarantine List

Travelers from Portugal arriving to England and Northern Ireland must self-isolate for 14 days as of Saturday, September 12, according to an announcement made by UK Transport Secretary Grant Shapps.

The decision of the UK government is based on the current assessment of coronavirus (Covid-19) risks.

Portugal joins Hungary, French Polynesia and Reunion as the latest territories to be removed from the UK’s so-called “travel corridors” list.

It is noted that Portugal was put on the UK’s safe list a few weeks ago after having a drop in coronavirus infections.

The UK’s restriction will not apply to travellers returning from the autonomous regions of Madeira and the Azores.

In its update for travel advice for Portugal, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) notes that travelers arriving in Wales from mainland Portugal will also need to self-isolate for 14 days. Also, those travelling to Scotland from mainland Portugal or the autonomous regions of Madeira and the Azores, will need to quarantine for 14 days.

On Monday, the UK government took seven Greek islands off its “travel corridors” list and announced that all travelers arriving to England from those destinations must quarantine for two weeks.

A similar restriction has been announced for a number of Greek islands by the Welsh government, while Scotland announced that travelers arriving from anywhere in Greece are required to quarantine for 14 days on arrival.