PORTUGAL could be the first country Brits travel to this summer as plans for air bridges from the UK are in discussion.
The country has kept coronavirus cases lower than other nearby countries, such as Spain or Italy.
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Portugal has 31,292 confirmed cases with 1,356 deaths – significantly lower than neighbouring countries and the UK.
Here is everything you need to know about travelling to Portugal this year.
Can I go to Portugal for my summer holiday this year?
Lisbon has announced it is "open for business" and will start accepting international visitors again from next Saturday.
Yet Brits cannot currently travel to Portugal, with the UK government advising against all but essential travel.
This is not expected to be lifted any time soon, so booking a holiday during July and August is a risk.
Will I need to quarantine for 14 days?
Tourists will not have to quarantine when entering the country.
Madeira and the Azores will only allow visitors who have tested negative for coronavirus within the last 72 hours.
Mainland Portugal is not currently enforcing quarantines upon landing.
However, the UK will be introducing a quarantine for Brits returning to the country from June 8.
The discussion of air bridges – an agreement to allow tourists to enter the country by avoiding quarantine restrictions – is being debated between the UK and Portugal.
If agreed, it would be the first air bridge between European countries.
It would allow British holidaymakers to go abroad and return to the UK without having to quarantine for a fortnight when they return.
Talks between the two sides are in an “initial phase”, according to The Times.
These new measures are hoping to be in place by July but this is yet to be confirmed.
Are there flights from the UK to Portugal?
Ryanair has been running limited flights to Portugal although these are primarily for stranded tourists, while Wizz Air resumed limited flights from the UK in May.
Airlines have announced plans to resume scheduled flights from next month.
EasyJet is launching a limited schedule from June 15, while Ryanair hopes to resume 1,000 daily flights from July 1, including to destinations in Portugal.
British Airways, TUI and Jet2 all hope to resume by the summer as well, although this depends on flight restrictions,
Are restaurants and hotels open in Portugal?
More than a third of hotels in the Algarve have opened their doors already, with 75 per cent expected to be open by next month, along with beaches.
Restaurants and cafes are also open, but with strict social distancing guidelines.
Cinemas and theatres are to open from June 1, but there are currently no dates for the opening of bars and clubs.
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