British holiday makers have been given fresh hope for a summer getaway thanks to recently launched "air bridge" plans.
Summer holidays to Portugal could be possible this year as the country is reportedly trying to seek an air bridge with the UK.
Portugal has been praised for its response to the coronavirus outbreak, with 30,788 cases and 1,333 deaths recorded.
An air bridge is an agreement between the UK and another country that makes exception to the usual quarantine rules, and effectively secures a travel link between the two destinations.
It would allow travellers to fly between agreed upon countries, where the spread of the virus is low, and ensures they wouldn't need to quarantine upon their return.
The government last week confirmed travellers arriving in the UK from June 8 would need to be quarantined for 14 days.
But exceptions could be made for those who arrive from a country with a low rate of coronavirus.
For those wanting to go abroad, but who may be put off by quarantine rules, the air bridge gives fresh hope of a holiday as well as the potential to give the travel and tourism sector a much needed financial boost.
Transport secretary Grant Shapps said the government was looking into establishing air bridges in order to allow people to holiday in the UK and boost the country’s aviation and tourism industries, which have been hit hard during lockdown.
But so far few details have actually been finalised.
In a statement, Number 10 said: "The Government will continue to look at further options as we move forward and these will include air bridges – agreements between countries who both have low transmission rates to recognise each other’s departure screening measures for passengers and removing the need for quarantine measures for incoming passengers."
It is believed early air bridges could be established between the UK and countries including Portugal, as well as the Canary Islands, though this has yet to be confirmed.
