Travel

What to do if you have a holiday to Portugal booked amid potential new quarantine rules


Portugal has seen case numbers rising (Picture: Corbis via Getty Images)

Similar to what we’ve seen happening to travellers in Spain and France, it looks like Portugal may be put back onto the quarantine list.

With case numbers rising in the country, it appears that the two-week quarantine restriction for those returning to the UK from the popular holiday destination may be reimposed – just 12 days after Portugal was added to the ‘safe’ list.

Already, prices for flights home from Portugal have soared, with holidaymakers clearly rushing to ensure their return before the government announce any changes.

It’s also bad news for anyone who has a late summer or early autumn break booked to Portugal in the near future.

All is not necessarily lost, however. Here’s what to do depending on whether you’re able to quarantine for two weeks upon your return or not.

If you’re able to quarantine

If you can quarantine, you can still go on your holiday as long as you follow the rules.

After you get back from your trip, you’ll need to stay at home for 14 days to stay in line with government guidelines.

Inform your employer that you’ll be going away and make arrangements to travel back safely and have groceries and other necessities delivered contact-free.

Only use public transport to get back home if there’s no other way to travel and wear a face coverings at all times.

Full details of what to do are here.

Things are easier if you’re able to work from home or quarantine (Picture: Hollie Adams/Getty Images)

If you can’t quarantine

If work or other commitments mean you can’t self-isolate for 14 days upon your return from Portugal, you shouldn’t go.

You can be fined up to £1,000 if you fail to quarantine, so it’s definitely not worth it.

As for refunds, your options are fairly limited, but you should contact your insurer (if you’ve already purchased travel insurance) or your flight operator or package holiday company to see if they may be able to issue a refund or move flights to a later date.

If your flights are still going ahead – which they most likely will be – you probably won’t be eligible for a refund, but you should always speak to a company representative to check what your options are.

Wait until the government’s announcement to get in touch so operators will have a clearer picture of what they can do for you.

Whatever you do, don’t cancel your holiday pre-emptively. This will negate any chance of a refund you may have.

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