Portugal holidays are once again off the cards for Brits after the government now warns against all but essential travel the country - and any holidaymakers returning will need to quarantine for 14 days.

The news comes after fears of rising coronavirus cases in the country - but does not include the Azores or Madeira.

It's not just Portugal which has been removed from travel corridors. Brits returning from Hungary, French Polynesia and Reunion will also need to quarantine for 14 days, according to Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps.

The new advice will come into force at 4am on Saturday 12th September.

Carvoeiro, Portugal (
Image:
Getty Images/EyeEm)

From 4am on Saturday 12th September, anyone returning to the UK from mainland Portugal will be required to self-isolate for 14 days.

The rules had already changed last week for travellers returning from mainland Portugal to Scotland and Wales, with holidaymakers told they would need to self-isolate for 14 days.

However, the updated advice now encompasses the rest of the UK as well.

Mr Shapps said tonight: "Data shows we need to remove PORTUGAL (minus the AZORES and MADEIRA), HUNGARY, FRENCH POLYNESIA and REUNION from the Travel Corridor list to keep everyone safe.

"If you arrive in England from these destinations after 4am Saturday, you will need to self-isolate for 14 days."

Beachgoers sunbathe and swim at a beach in Portimao, Algarve region, Portugal on July 29, 2020. Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa has promised to visit the Algarve every week this summer to help the regions struggling tourism sector overcome the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and the UK governments decision to include mainland Portugal in its travel blacklist. (Photo by Pedro Fiúza/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

It marks another blow for British holidaymakers who had been looking to make the most of the last summer sunshine.

The government had previously warned against non-essential travel to Portugal earlier this year, but in August it changed the rules to allow for holidaymakers to travel to the country, and without the need to self-isolate when returning. However, this has now changed once again.

In more bad news, Denmark has also been put into the red zone after the number of cases of coronavirus soared.

However, there is some good news as Sweden was taken off the quarantine list after the number of Covid-19 infections fell sharply in the country.

Tourists walk to the Praia da Rocha beach in Portimao, Algarve region, Portugal on July 29, 2020. Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa has promised to visit the Algarve every week this summer to help the regions struggling tourism sector overcome the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and the UK governments decision to include mainland Portugal in its travel blacklist. (Photo by Pedro Fiúza/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Unfortunately for Brits, if you booked a holiday to Portugal and the FCDO changes its advice to be against all but essential travel, your trip will essentially be cancelled, not to mention that travel insurance is voided to destinations which the FCDO advises against travelling to.  (You can find a fuller explanation in our travel insurance guide ).

If a firm cancels your holiday because of the FCO advice, you are entitled to a full cash refund - however, some tour operators are also offering alternatives such as rebooking your trip for a later date, or accepting vouchers for future holidays instead.

If you're already on holiday, although the government isn't advising Brits to travel back immediately, if you return after 4am on Saturday 12th September then you will need to quarantine for 14 days.

Make sure to check for all the latest updates on the FCDO Portugal advice.