Barely three weeks after the British tourists returned to Portugal, many hastily returned home until Monday, the last day before a poorly digested quarantine and its tourism sector were restored.
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“I was supposed to come back on Wednesday, but I had to change flight to avoid quarantine… I have to go back to work at all costs,” testified AFP’s Lisa Keenan as she hurriedly headed toward the boarding area. Lisbon airport.
The 30-year-old, who works in the health sector, had to pay 150 pounds (174 euros) to reschedule her flight to Luton, in the northern suburbs of London.
This weekend, departures were rushed by London’s decision to impose quarantine again, as from Tuesday, quarantined travelers from Portugal in queues at Faro Airport in the tourist area of the Algarve (south), especially among British holidaymakers.
About 10,000 Britons left Faro on Saturday alone for the UK, the head of the Algarve tourist area told local media, adding that about 2,500 passengers continued their journey.
Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa on Sunday criticized the measure, which he said was “unjustified” and caused “serious damage” to both British tourists and his country’s economy.
The British government’s decision is “disastrous for Portuguese tourism, especially at a time when the sector is recovering,” the Portuguese Tourism Federation responded in a press release.
Since May 17, Portugal has been the only EU country among the few countries and territories exempt from quarantine upon its return to the UK.
The resumption of tourist travel between the two countries enabled more than 12,000 English football fans to travel to Porto in northern Portugal on the 29th to watch the Champions League final that Chelsea won over Manchester City (1-0).
