The first batch of holiday-deprived Brits have arrived in green-listed Portugal after the UK's foreign travel ban was lifted.
With today marking a milestone in the easing of Covid restrictions, jet-setters wasted no time in heading off to the European sun trap where temperatures are currently 27C.
Holidaymakers will not be required to quarantine on returning home from the popular summer destination.
Retired police officer Barry Thompson, 63, and his wife Lisa were among the first to arrive on a flight from Manchester this morning.
Barry, from Northwich, Cheshire, told the Mirror: “It’s fantastic to be here and see the sun shining.
“We booked the hotel last month and got the flight sorted a week ago, so it was pretty last minute.
“It was touch and go with the restrictions but it’s gone smoothly and now we can’t wait to hit the beach.
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“It’s brilliant to be in Portugal. We’re so excited. We’re here for six nights and staying in Vilamoura.
“We were last here exactly eleven years ago to the day.”
Ellie Bull, 20, and David Johnson, 25, from Blakeley, Manchester, were going to Vilamoura.
Ellie, a student nurse, said: “It’s really weird being here, we’ve forgotten what it’s like to go on holiday.
“It’s a pain having to do the tests but it’s reassuring to know everyone is Covid-free before they travel.
“We were shocked at just how many tourists were on the flight, obviously lots of people couldn’t wait to get away.”
Zoe Berry, 37, from Wigan, was hoping to cross the border to Spain to see her boyfriend in Alicante.
She said: “I’m not sure how I’m going to get there but I’ll be fine. It’s just nice to be out of rainy England.”
Mandy Bennett, 56, and her husband Ian, also 56, were going to a friend’s apartment in Vilamoura.
Mandy, from Leeds, said: “The flight was absolutely fabulous. We booked the flight last Monday.
“We were terrified Portugal was going to stop Brits coming but it went smoothly in the end.
“It’s my birthday on Wednesday and we wanted some sunshine. The weather has been so miserable at home.”
Passengers visiting a green list country will not be required to quarantine when they get back to England, but will be required to fill in a passenger locator form, provide a valid notification of a negative test result prior to travel and take a sequencing test on day two after arrival.
There were last-minute fears on Thursday when the Portuguese government hinted travellers would not be allowed into the country until May 30 with holidaymakers having already booked flights and accommodation.
But on Friday afternoon the situation was cleared up, with ministers confirming the borders would be open to Brits.
A surge in bookings had come after Transport Secretary Grant Shapps announced the 12-country green list on May 7 during a Downing Street briefing.
Today's easing of restrictions also sees pubs and restaurants once again open for indoor visits, while two families or a group of six can meet indoors.
