Portugal to welcome UK for holidays within weeks - and quarantine could be SCRAPPED
PORTUGAL is set to reopen borders to tourists in July as coronavirus travel restrictions ease. Britons will be among those welcomed back for summer holidays.
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Holidaymakers will soon be allowed to return to Portugal in as little as four weeks. As coronavirus restrictions start to ease, Britons could visit the holiday destination as soon as July without needing to quarantine.
The coronavirus crisis caused countries across the world to close their borders.
Travel bans meant many Britons had to put their holiday plans on hold as all but essential travel was not allowed.
However, policy in Portugal means tourists could start to visit the country again in just a few weeks.
While Portugal is yet to verify a widespread date, some regions have already announced tourists can visit from July 1.
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Not only will holidays be permitted soon, tourists from the UK will be among those welcomed, according to Portugal's foreign minister Augusto Santos Silva.
Speaking to local media, he said: “Tourists are welcome in Portugal.”
He has since confirmed tourists from the UK are "most welcome".
The minister explained an agreement could be reached between the UK and Portugal to make going on holiday even easier, he told BBC.
This would allow Britons returning to the UK to skip on long quarantines when they get home.
The minister said: “During these weeks our diplomats will work together in order to guarantee that British tourists coming to Portugal would not be subjected on their return to England to any kind of quarantine.”
Currently, Britons are expected to be asked to quarantine when returning to the UK from overseas trips.
The government website explains: "From 8 June, there will be new rules in place for entering the UK because of coronavirus (COVID-19). The rules are for residents and visitors."
The rules mean Britons will "not be allowed to leave the place you’re staying for the first 14 days you’re in the UK except in very limited situations."
Earlier this week, it was reported those entering Portugal would also have to pass certain tests.
While Madeira has announced tourists can visit from July 1, they will need to provide negative coronavirus test results on arrival.
The country's tourism officials said: "Madeira Islands are focused on positioning as a COVID-safe destination.
"Furthermore, Madeira was a pioneer in the whole of Portugal in developing a good practices document to deal with COVID-19.
"These measures will provide comfort to those who travel and it is ultimately for the wellbeing of all.”
If an agreement is reached between Portugal and the UK, however, travelling between the two countries could become easier.
Holidaymakers may be able to have a summer break without quarantining.