Boris Johnson has announced today the list of the countries that will be exempted a quarantine starting from 10th July. This list includes France, Italy and Spain, but excludes mainland Portugal. Madeira and Açores are in the “safe” list and will not have mandatory quarantine. This is a very bad news for Portuguese tourism and especially in the Algarve, where a lot of British tourists come every summer. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you everything about the Portugal out from the tourist corridor, and Spain in.
Portugal out of British "tourist" corridor, Spain in
Mainland Portugal is outside the UK tourist corridor, but the Azores and Madeira are on the list. The full list will be published today by the government of Boris Johnson and includes more than 50 countries to which the British will be able to fly without having to stay in quarantine for 14 days.
Spain, Italy, France and Germany are free from restrictions. When contacted by Dinheiro Vivo, the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs does not confirm or deny it. Official source of the ministry advances to Dinheiro Vivo, which "awaits the public communication of the British decision", scheduled for this afternoon.
This would be a terrible decision for Portugal and specially Algarve where a lot of British citizen like to spend their holidays. However, Spain will be free from restrictions, meaning that it will be possible to flight to Spain, drive until Portugal then do the contrary to come back.
Spain is a bit more lucky and will be able to receive thousands of British tourists desperately looking for sun and beaches after months of lockdown.
The mandatory two-week quarantine was imposed on 8th June on all arrivals from abroad to the UK to reduce the risk of cases imported from abroad and help prevent a second wave of the virus.
The end of quarantine for those entering the United Kingdom from countries included in the air corridor takes effect on 10th July. Airlines like British Airways, easyJet and Ryanair have appealed to the courts to challenge the limitations imposed by Boris Johnson's executive on air mobility.
