Check rules at home and abroad minister warns Brits as holidays to Portugal thrown into doubt

 (Shutterstock / Sopotnicki)
(Shutterstock / Sopotnicki)
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.

A Government minister has warned Brits to check the rules at home and abroad before they book a holiday as trips to Portugal were thrown into doubt.

British holidaymakers hoping to jet off to Portugal as soon as UK travel restrictions lift face uncertainty after the country’s government extended its "state of calamity" until at least May 30.

Boris Johnson said that from May 17 the "stay in the UK" restriction will lift, allowing people to travel to green list countries which includes Portugal.

However, guidance on the Portuguese Government’s website states that ministers had approved a move to continue the current level of lockdown.

Vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi told BBC Breakfast: “It’s really important that this year – whether you are planning a holiday in Portugal or elsewhere – is to always check both our Foreign Office advice but also the destination country whether that’s Portugal or Iceland or any of the other green list countries.

“Because it is a rapidly changing situation as we’ve just seen with this variant with Singapore and elsewhere.

“It’s really important, this is not like any other year. You have to really check exactly what the requirements are from both countries – your own home country the United Kingdom and of course your destination.”

Portuguese MP Cristovao Norte, who is MP for the Algarve, added: "We are today going to make an urgent inquiry asking the (Portuguese) government whether or not the English travel can come to Portugal next Monday because we are three days ahead from 17th and no one is sure what is going to happen.”

Mr Norte said it was “important” that a decision is taken immediately. Asked if the decision could change between now and Monday, he said: "It’s possible but I’m not sure what’s going to happen.”

The restrictions have cast a shadow over the Champions League final between Manchester City and Chelsea that is due to take place in Porto on May 29 after thousands of Brits made plans to travel to the game.

According to the BBC, Portuguese Cabinet office minister Mariana Vieira da Silva said in a briefing on Thursday she had "no information to give yet" when asked if restrictions on travel from the UK would soon be lifted.

Read More

Portugal will allow British tourists from May 17

Holidaymakers’ travel plans in doubt as Portugal extends lockdown

Visa-free touring possible in 17 EU countries post-Brexit, says Dowden