British tourists on vacation in Portugal have been thrown into disarray and risk paying hundreds of pounds for Covid-19 tests as the nation moves on the UK’s ‘amber list’ next week.
The government has ruined thousands of people’s vacation plans by warning them not to go to the popular location – and forcing returning travellers to self-isolate beginning at 4 a.m. on Tuesday.
Over 112,000 British citizens are now in Portugal, and those returning will be asked to take a pre-departure PCR Covid test and submit a negative result.
They will then be required to pay for two further tests on days two and eight of their 10-day confinement.
Brits can opt for private Covid test providers, which can cost between £120 and £300 per person – or slightly cheaper options are available from Boots and Superdrug.
Airlines and tour operators have started offering discounted rates – with the three tests through TUI costing £60 per person.
It means a family four could be spending anywhere between £240 and £1,200 to fly home – plus parents potentially taking 10 days off work.
But those currently in Portugal claim there is a two to three-day waiting list for tests because centers are “overloaded” – meaning some people may be forced to splash out on pricey private services to ensure they make it home in time.
British Airways today increased its number of flights from Portugal to help customers who wish to return before the country moves to the amber list.
Ms Lo Bue-Said said there was a lack of communication to enable the industry to put the right systems in place, adding that the move damages confidence.
“It now throws confidence completely out of the window, because if we can see something like Portugal that was on a green list move to amber within, sort of, you know, 90, 100 hours notice or whatever it is, what’s going to happen if I make further plans?
“It puts the industry in a really difficult position and consumers in a difficult position in order to be able to plan effectively,” she said.
