British authorities remove Portugal from list of «green countries», from which visitors are not required to quarantine after returning to United Kingdom, due to the increase in cases of the new coronavirus and the risk posed by a mutation of the Indian variant of, announced Transport Minister Grant Shapps.
The British government also decided not to add any new countries to the «green list,» but instead moved seven others from the «orange» to the «red» list. These are Afghanistan, Bahrain, Costa Rica, Egypt, Sri Lanka, Sudan, and Trinidad and Tobago. All changes will take effect at 4 a.m. on Tuesday, June 8.
«The positivity rate has almost doubled since Portugal's last assessment,» the minister said, explaining to reporters the reasons why London had taken this decision.
«And (...) A type of Nepalese mutation of the so-called Indian variant has been identified.»," he added, explaining that «We simply don't know» whether this particular variant is covered by existing vaccines.
«We need a little patience,» the minister added, stressing that the government does not want to risk the next phase of easing measures, which is scheduled to take place on June 21.
Saps admitted that the travel industry has been hit hard, but noted that support measures in this sector are continuing. Portugal will move to the «orange» list.
Over the past three weeks, Portugal has emerged as a «lifeline» for airlines and travel agencies. The industry had hoped that measures would be further relaxed this month, but instead it is now facing cancellations and more uncertainty.
«This decision effectively cuts the UK off from the rest of the world,» warned airline easyJet in a statement.
Shares in easyJet, British Airways-owned IAG, and Jet2 fell 5%, while Ryanair and TUI fell 4%, amid fears that Europe could lose another summer tourist season, at the height of which, in July and August, millions of Britons usually travel to southern Europe.
Under the British system, travel to countries classified as «red» or «orange» is not prohibited, but it is discouraged. Countries such as Spain, France, Italy, and the United States are on the «orange» list, which means that Those returning from these countries must remain in quarantine at home for 10 days and undergo two diagnostic tests.
The Prime Minister Boris Johnson had warned the travel industry that his priority was to protect the population's immunization program. «I want you to know that we will not hesitate to move countries from the green to the orange or red list if necessary. The priority is to continue vaccinations, to protect the people of this country,» he stressed.
Companies criticize the government, arguing that it is overly cautious and pointing out that increased vaccination rates and testing can make travel safe.
