British holidaymakers are flocking to Faro airport in a desperate bid to escape Portugal before stricter quarantine rules come into force.
The country was originally on the UK’s ‘green’ list, which meant tourists could travel there and not have to quarantine on return.
But in the last week, the decision was made to switch it to the amber list amid rising coronavirus cases.
It now means passengers arriving after 4am on Tuesday will have to isolate at home for 10 days.
Pictures from Faro airport show hundreds of disgruntled holidaymakers waiting in long queues in the hope they will be able to board a plane.
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(Image: LUIS FORRA/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
More than 112,000 Brits are currently in Portugal and travellers returning from there after the Tuesday deadline will be required to take a pre-departure PCR test and provide a negative result.
When they arrive back in the UK, they will have to fork out for two more tests on day two and day eight of their 10 days in quarantine.
Those trying to get back to the UK before these rules come into force are now facing escalating flight prices.
(Image: LUIS FORRA/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
A seat on a Ryanair flight from the capital Lisbon to Manchester on Monday costs £339, whereas travel on the same route is available for just £75 on Wednesday.
British Airways is charging £348 for flights from Faro to London Heathrow on Sunday and Monday, but the price drops to £137 on Tuesday.
The airline said it will operate more flights to meet demand for people returning home.
(Image: LUIS FORRA/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
TUI, the UK’s largest tour operator, said it has 9,500 customers in Portugal but that was already due to have fallen to 2,000 by Tuesday because of the end of half-term for schoolchildren.
A spokeswoman said half its customers with Portugal bookings for June have amended their trip – mostly until summer 2022 – while the other half plan to go ahead with it despite the quarantine rules.
“There is a lot of bewilderment and real frustration and confusion about what is happening,” she added.
But for many the main problem is just getting the Covid test needed three days before they fly.
(Image: Getty Images)
Due to demand, some Portuguese medical centres have reportedly run out of the tests.
The UK government has said Covid cases have doubled in recent weeks in Portugal but it is also claimed that the numbers are similar to in the UK.
Algarve Tourism Association president Joao Fernandes reportedly said: “What is really unfair is to announce that the decisions regarding travel have a scientific basis in the absence of evidence.”