Travel boss: Removing Portugal from green list is a hammer blow
Renfrewshire’s leading travel agent has lambasted the decision to remove Portugal from the green list of travel destinations.
Barrhead Travel has said the UK Government’s decision is a “hammer blow” to thousands of travellers and those holidaymakers who are already abroad.
Portugal was added to the Amber travel list at 4am this morning.
It means travellers returning to the UK from Portugal are now required to self- isolate for ten days and to undergo two PCR covid tests.
Jacqueline Dobson, president of Barrhead Travel said the move “further compounds” the damage that has already been inflicted on the travel industry.
She said: “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.
“As we have done throughout the pandemic, we will ensure our customers are provided with the assistance they require.”
Urging the UK Government to produce a clear and coherent plan for international travel, she added: “Engagement with the industry on this point is of paramount importance.
“It is simply unsustainable to continue lurching from one contradictory announcement to the other without meaningful consultation with the industry beforehand.”
Easyjet, British Airways and Ryanair have also criticised the decision.
Johan Lundgren, chief executive of Easyjet - one of the largest airlines at Glasgow Airport - said the decision “simply isn’t justified by the science”.
He said: “When this framework was put together, consumers were promised a waiting list to allow them to plan. Yet the government has torn up its own rule book and ignored the science, throwing people’s plans into chaos, with virtually no notice or alternative options for travel from the UK.”
Jet2 said it would delay restarting flights from June 23 to July 1.