British travellers today told of their “nightmare” scramble to make it back to the UK from Portugal before new quarantine rules came into force this morning.
The Government moved Portugal from the “green” list to “amber” last Thursday, and holidaymakers had to get back by 4am today to avoid self-isolating at home for 10 days.
Laura Fernandes, 45, from Barnet, was on a late-night flight into Heathrow Airport after cutting a holiday to Albufeira with her children and mother short. She said: “It’s been an absolute nightmare. I’ve had to pay for a second flight for five people, so it cost £1,700. I also had to reschedule all our Covid tests.”
People flying in from the country must also have proof of a negative Covid test taken no more than three days before their flight or face a £500 fine. Travellers faced four-hour waits at airport test sites for a swab.
Meanwhile, a UK Government-approved testing firm reportedly had to call police after it was “overwhelmed” with orders and staff began receiving abuse from travellers. Hundreds of Atruchecks customers claimed they never received test kits. Company founder Laween Atroshi blamed Royal Mail for delays.
