Responding to the news that Portugal has been moved from green to amber on the traffic light system for international travel, Munira Wilson MP, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Health, commented: “This will come as a huge blow both to British citizens keen to get away on a foreign holiday after an incredibly difficult 15 months, and to the travel industry. However, given the immense sacrifices made by all during the pandemic, and with rising case numbers, we must maintain caution so as not to threaten the progress we have made with our domestic reopening.
“In order to keep case numbers as low as possible and prevent the spread of new variants, the Government needs to keep robust measures in place at our borders, combined with a rigorous test and trace and isolate programme, and of course continue to fully vaccinate all adults as quickly as possible.
“The Liberal Democrats are calling on the Government to clearly set out where people can travel for leisure and the countries they should avoid. The mixed messaging over the amber list is not helpful – people and the industry need clarity. This should be combined with rigorous and timely testing on arrival and clear rules around quarantine and self-isolation.”