Portugal holidaymakers will no longer have to isolate on return

The updated travel guidance follows a review of the scientific and medical evidence.

Portugal has now been added to the Travel Corridors exemption list, which comes into effect at 4am on Saturday 22 August.

Croatia, Austria, Trinidad and Tobago however will be removed from the list. As a result, anyone arriving from these countries after 4am on Saturday will be required to self-isolate for 14 days.

Speaking about the changes, Health Minister Robin Swann said: “Given the ever-changing picture of Covid-19 around the world I will not hesitate in moving swiftly to make changes to the regulations when necessary.

“Anyone considering travelling abroad should bear this in mind and should review the travel advice on nidirect and FCO websites ahead of travelling.

“Countries on the exempt list can be removed at relatively short notice – therefore if you’re planning to travel abroad, even to currently exempted countries, there is a possibility that you will be required to quarantine on your return.

“This is absolutely necessary to help keep the people of Northern Ireland safe.”

The regulations mean that you must self-isolate for 14 days if you return to Northern Ireland from a country outside the Common Travel Area (CTA) unless you are travelling from, or transiting through, a low to medium risk country that is exempt.

The CTA includes England, Scotland and Wales, the Republic of Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.

Other exempt countries include Poland, Hungary, Germany, Czech Republic, Greece, Italy, Turkey, Latvia, Lithuania, New Zealand, Australia, Slovakia, Norway, Iceland, Denmark, Estonia, Japan and Finland.

Further information is available on nidirect: www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/coronavirus-covid-19-travel-advice