Scots' holidays were thrown up in the air as Portugal was moved off the green list and onto amber.
Thousands of holidays were booked from the UK to Portugal and expectant holidaymakers were left scrambling when the news that the popular holiday hotspot was moved off the list.
Countries on the green list allows Scots to travel without having to isolate on return, as long as they prove a negative Covid test.
Travelling back from amber listed countries requires those returning to isolate for 10 days and take two tests.
However, though the travel advice is not to travel to amber listed destinations, it is not against the law.
Although Nicola Sturgeon has stated that the Scottish Government's travel advice is not to travel abroad unless it is absolutely essential.
Martin Lewis' Money Saving Expert blog has broken down travel rights for those who's holiday plans have gone out the window.
If your trip is cancelled by the travel firm, you should get a full refund.
The rules on this are crystal clear. If your flight's cancelled, you're due a full refund within seven days.
If your package holiday's cancelled, you're due a full refund within 14 days.
Currently all flights from Edinburgh with Tui are cancelled until June 13.
If your trip's not cancelled, you may struggle to get a refund – but if you can't, check if you can rebook.
Unfortunately in this situation, trying to get a refund on the sole basis of Portugal moving to the amber list may prove difficult.
As your trip is still running, the travel firm’s under no automatic obligation to refund you. And travel insurance is very unlikely to cover you. If you want to cancel just because you don't want to isolate on return or get Covid tests, then that would be deemed "declination to travel" which is never covered in travel insurance.
The team at MSE does point out that The Association of British Insurers say you should check with your insurer to be certain though, as some may consider exemptions if you'll be disproportionately affected, eg, if having to quarantine on your return will affect your employment.
However, many companies and airlines are offering flexibility with booking so best check your policy to see if you can rearrange and some may allow you to cancel.
Even if not though, many firms will allow customers to rebook fee-free, as a general policy or specifically due to the Portugal announcement. So you may be able to rearrange your trip fee-free or get a voucher or partial refund.
The Foreign Office ISN'T warning against travel to Portugal – which affects refund rights and also travel insurance cover.
Currently, the Foreign Office hasn't changed its advice on Portugal and isn't warning against non-essential travel.
This means that there are no special refund rights for package holidays. If there is a FO warning against travel, when you are due to depart, holiday firms should offer you a refund, even if you cancel your trip yourself.
It also means that you can travel to Portugal without invalidating your travel insurance.
Remember traffic-light rules are reviewed every three weeks – so if you've booked a holiday for later this summer, don't panic.
The travel guidelines quickly change and restrictions adapt to latest data.
So the best thing to do is wait and see what happens if you have a holiday booked for July or August. Rules might change in three weeks.
If you have flexibility in your booking, make sure you weigh up wether it is best to change or cancel before the deadline.
