Portugal BACK on quarantine list just 3 weeks after being declared safe – but Sweden removed

PORTUGAL has been slammed back on England's quarantine list just three weeks after it was deemed safe - and Sweden was removed.

The Government sparked a frantic rush for Brits to get back after announcing that people must isolate for 14 days if they arrive from Portugal, Hungary, French Polynesia and Reunion after Saturday at 4am.

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Both countries have jumped above 20 new daily cases per 100,000 people, using data from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) over the past seven days.

Portugal was only removed from the UK's quarantine list on August 22, but has seen a jump in cases taking it past the 'safe' green zone for daily infections - overall cases are currently 61,541.

Scotland and Wales had already added the country to their travel restricted list last week - sparking concerns England would soon follow suit.

But the Azores and Madeira will not be part of the quarantine rules, Mr Shapps said today - after ministers revealed a regional policy last week.

Greece was the first destination to see this implemented - just seven Greek islands are on the quarantine list, while others such as Corfu and Rhodes remain off it, along with mainland Greece.

And Sweden was taken OFF the quarantine list tonight after a reduction in cases there despite a strong anti-lockdown Government policy.

New infection numbers have been plummeting since June despite having no lockdown or other restrictions.

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."

Denmark has also jumped into the red zone - while the country has just 18,607 cases, the daily infection rate has increased.

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The restrictions follow France, which was placed on the quarantine list on August 15, and Spain, placed onto the list on July 22.

Croatia, Malta, the Netherlands and Malta have all been removed from the travel corridor list in recent weeks as well.

The UK government previously warned: "No travel is risk-free during this pandemic. Anyone travelling abroad should be aware that our travel advice and exemption list is under constant review as we monitor the international situation."