Portugal added to amber travel list amidst variant concern

Portugal is to be placed on the amber travel list after an increase in test positivity in the country.

The Scottish Government said that the risk from the Delta variant is now “too great” to allow unrestricted travel to Portugal.

A recommendation was made by the Joint Biosecurity Centre (JCB) amidst concern over the variant being spread among people in Portugal with no travel history.

The changes affecting international travel will come into force at 4am on June 8.

Any travellers returning to Scotland from Portugal beyond that deadline will have to self-isolate at home for 10 days.

“Portugal is a popular destination for Scottish holiday makers and this change will clearly cause disruption to people’s travel plans.”
Michael Matheson, transport secretary

Transport secretary Michael Matheson said that international travel for holidaying purposes “remains risky”.

“Portugal is a popular destination for Scottish holiday makers and this change will clearly cause disruption to people’s travel plans,” said Matheson.

“However, we have been forthright from the outset that the traffic light system is designed to protect the safety of the people of Scotland and the continued progress we are making as we come out of lockdown.

“Using the stringent methodology of the Joint Biosecurity Centre it is clear the risk this new variant poses is now too great to allow unrestricted travel to Portugal, an approach that has been agreed by all four nations.

“International travel for holidaying purposes remains risky and subject to sudden change. We have said before people should think very carefully about travelling – and this latest development serves to underpin that advice – especially so given the prevalence and unpredictable nature of variants of concern.”

There are no additions to the green list at this time, the Scottish Government has indicated.

Several countries are to be added to the red list, namely Afghanistan, Bahrain, Costa Rica, Egypt, Sri Lanka, Sudan, and Trinidad and Tobago.

People should not travel to amber or red countries other than for essential reasons.

Jacqueline Dobson, president of Barrhead Travel said: “Today’s announcement further compounds the damage that has already been inflicted on the travel industry.

“It’s disappointing for the industry and it will be a hammer blow to the thousands of travellers who haven’t seen family or loved ones for months on end and those holidaymakers who are already abroad.

“At the drop of a hat the government has determined that these changes are required without meaningful consultation with the industry and without due consideration for the consequences.

“We have long been at the stage where a genuine, tangible route map out of this crisis is required. Sadly, it appears that this is not forthcoming and instead we hurtle from one disastrous announcement to another.”