Here’s a bit of an update from travel blogger in Portugal again
During the press conference, the minister was asked regarding flights to the UK (and the UEFA final visitors), with the answer basically being – “discussions are ongoing but there currently is not an update from the Council of Ministers yet” with some more minimal comments about UEFA game below. The current travel decree ends on the 16th May (and will be renewed in some form, as it is every 2 weeks – the question is will the UK be on it), so there will certainly be an announcement before the 16th one way or another – sorry for those waiting for this news.
ITV are reporting that travel will happen from Monday, with the journalist
James Mates saying “Told tonight by a high level source in Lisbon Portuguese Govt WILL tomorrow announce lifting of ban on U.K.” – but, until an actual PT Gov official makes a public decree, don’t take anything as gospel. It was nice seeing my village and mate Sue on the news though – but keep in mind that clip was literally filmed yesterday morning before any announcement at all.
The BBC have reported that entry restrictions have been extended until the 30th, which is factually wrong (at this time anyway), as what has been extended until May 30th is the ‘State of Calamity’ which was to be expected as we have been in a state of something or other (Emergency, Calamity, or Alert) since March last year and will likely be in one until the pandemic ends. This is separate from the travel/flight decree, which is what we will have an update on before the 16th.
As soon as we have official news I will post it but please keep in mind my comments below about Portugal being the current EU presidency, and thus head of co-ordinating the travel rules across the 27 countries – which might put them in a difficult position when it comes to the UK, who became a third-country after they implemented Brexit. If you are booking trips for May, then opt for flexible and refundable hotels/flights incase it does end up being later in the month, or June.
Regarding the UEFA game moving, I’m a little sceptical they are putting the sponsors and workers (who would be travelling on travel exemptions) ahead of the fans, as it is not guaranteed that Brits will be able to enter the country yet on that date – even if some news sites are reporting this.
In todays press conference mention of ‘travel bubbles’ for fans to attend for 24hours, on charter flights, was raised after a journalists question (reported here), as a backup idea incase the current restrictions don’t end before it is played. Also, last week our League finale was played without fans, but the streets turned into chaos after Sporting CPwon, with fans and police clashing, and has caused a huge controversy that it might become a super spreader event – so, two days after that, the politicians need to play careful with what they say and not add fuel to the fire