British holidaymakers can now enter Portugal restriction-free as the country has dropped all remaining covid travel measures. The move was introduced this week in a bid to boost tourism and covers travellers who are both vaccinated and unvaccinated.
It comes despite fears of a spike in cases as the rate of covid-19 infections in the UK continue to rise. Some health experts, such as GMB's Dr Hilary Jones, have warned of summer holiday disruption as restrictions could return again and has advised people to take precautions.
The countries now left with restrictions that still require Brits have to produce evidence of vaccination or recovery from Covid include France, Malta, the Netherlands, and Spain, Wales Online reports.
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British passport holders who are visiting mainland Portugal and are fully-jabbed no longer need to some proof of vaccination. The testing requirement for holiday makers has been scrapped too for those who have not been fully-jabbed.
On the Visit Portugal website, it says: "As of July 1, 2022, passengers entering national territory are no longer required to present proof of carrying out a test to screen for SARS-CoV-2 infection with a negative result or to present a Covid-EU digital certificate or vaccination or recovery certificate issued by third countries, accepted or recognized in Portugal.
"Measures in force may be reviewed in accordance to the evolution of the pandemic." Face coverings remain mandatory on public transport, in taxis and when visiting care homes, nursing homes and health facilities. Social distancing and frequent hand washing is still advised.
The lifting of Portugal's travel restrictions are expected to lessen delays for passengers arriving from UK into the country's airports - which also allows British passport holders to enter the country using e-gates instead of queuing.
UK travellers, regardless of their vaccination status, can enter the following EU/Schengen nations without restrictions: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, and Switzerland.
Some Covid entry rules are still in force for visitors to France, Malta, the Netherlands, and Spain. Arrivals from the UK must show a valid vaccination, recovery, or PCR test certificate when entering France, Malta, and Spain. Stricter rules apply for UK arrivals in the Netherlands. Only travellers who hold a vaccination or recovery certificate, are permitted entry.
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