Portugal has been faraway from the UK secure journey record in a transfer the federal government mentioned would safeguard public well being towards variants of concern and shield the Covid-19 vaccine rollout.
The vacation spot will probably be added to the amber record.
Seven international locations – together with Sri Lanka and Egypt – have additionally been added to the crimson record.
All modifications to the lists will come into impact at early on Tuesday.
The choice to maneuver Portugal (together with Madeira and the Azores) to the amber record follows elevated concern within the unfold of variants of coronavirus, together with a mutation of the Delta (India) variant, and the danger that’s posed of bringing these again to the UK if individuals are not required to quarantine.
The state of affairs in Portugal has required swift motion to guard the features made with the vaccine rollout, officers mentioned.
There was an nearly doubling within the Covid-19 take a look at positivity fee in Portugal because the first evaluation for visitors gentle allocations, far exceeding the ONS estimated nationwide positivity fee within the UK.
Extra considerably, in keeping with knowledge revealed on GISAID, 68 circumstances of the Delta variant of concern have been recognized in Portugal, together with circumstances of the Delta variant with an extra, doubtlessly detrimental, mutation.
Transport secretary, Grant Shapps, mentioned: “The general public has all the time recognized journey will probably be totally different this 12 months and we should proceed to take a cautious strategy to reopening worldwide journey in a manner that protects public well being and the vaccine rollout.
“Whereas we’re making nice progress within the UK with the vaccine rollout, we proceed to say that the general public shouldn’t journey to locations exterior the inexperienced record.”
The complete record of further international locations added to the crimson record contains Afghanistan, Bahrain, Costa Rica, Egypt, Sri Lanka, Sudan, and Trinidad & Tobago.
For international locations occurring the crimson record at this time, Covid-19 prevalence is assessed to be excessive and there may be proof to counsel group transmission of variants of concern.
UK Well being Safety Company chief government, Jenny Harries, mentioned: “Will increase in case charges within the UK function a reminder that this pandemic just isn’t over but and we have to take a cautious strategy.
“Everybody ought to observe the journey steerage, proceed to comply with arms, face, house and contemporary air, and have each doses of the Covid-19 vaccine when provided.
“Testing will assist to interrupt chains of transmission and permit us to see which variants are circulating so ensure you get examined whenever you return to the UK in step with the steerage.”
Virginia Messina, WTTC senior vice chairman, mentioned the choice might show extraordinarily detrimental to the sector.
She added: “The World Journey & Tourism Council shares the massive disappointment of tourism companies up and down the nation, in addition to that of holidaymakers, that the federal government has as soon as once more cold-shouldered tourism by refusing so as to add any new locations to the already slim inexperienced record.
“There are such a lot of international locations with comparable vaccination ranges and low an infection charges because the UK to which journey ought to be restored instantly, such because the US and Malta .
“It’s important we kick-start the return of worldwide journey to save lots of the flailing aviation trade and the worldwide tourism sector.”
