Portugal added to UK and NI "Amber" list

Portugal has been removed from the UK's green travel list.

It has been changed to "amber" after a meeting between the Joint Bio-Security Centre, Westminster and devolved governments.

It comes into effect from 4am on Tuesday 8 June.

It means anyone arriving to the UK or Northern Ireland, either directly or indirectly from Portugal, after 4am on Tuesday 8 June will be legally required to:

· Provide proof of a negative Covid-19 test result taken up to three days before departure

· Book post-arrival day 2 and 8 testing

· Complete a UK passenger locator form 48 hours before departure

· Self-isolate for 10 days

Northern Ireland's Department of Health was not due to alter the green-list until next week, but the change was made today (Thursday) in keeping with new rules in the other UK nations.

Holidaymakers with big questions

Many holidaymakers in Portugal face a scramble for flights home before the move is introduced, which is expected to be in the coming days.

Others will want to know if its safe to travel, or whether they can cancel their breaks.

Portugal had become the 2021 destination of choice

The Government's decision is a huge blow for the travel industry, as Portugal was the only viable major tourist destination on the green list when it was announced last month.

It's understood there will be no countries or destinations added to the green list on Thursday, despite speculation that Spanish and Greek islands and Malta could be added.

Travel Consultancy CEO Paul Charles told us: "This move by the government defies logic, because there are some countries that meet the government's criteria to go on the green list.

"So by not adding countries on to green, and putting Portugal on to amber threatens recovery across aviation and the wider travel sector, and that means, sadly, jobs and livelihoods are more at risk than ever."

Hear the latest news on Downtown Country on FM, DAB, smart speaker or the Rayo app.