Croatia quarantine: Thousands of UK holidaymakers given Saturday deadline to return home

Thousands of British holidaymakers have been given until the early hours of Saturday morning to return from Croatia to avoid new quarantine measures.

But Brits can go to Portugal, for the first time in weeks, without having to isolate when they return.

Transport secretary Grant Shapps announced travellers arriving from Croatia, as well as Austria and Trinidad and Tobago, after 4am on Saturday will have to quarantine for 14 days. 

They are the latest countries to be added to the list, joining other major holiday destinations including France and Spain.

Increasing rates of coronavirus in parts of Europe have played havoc with the travel plans of millions.

But Mr Shapps said the latest data showed the government could now add Portugal to those countries included in so-called ‘travel corridors’.

However, he warned: “As with all air bridge countries, please be aware that things can change quickly.

“Only travel if you are content to unexpectedly 14-day quarantine if required (I speak from experience!).”

The cabinet minister spent two weeks in quarantine after Spain was removed from the safe list of countries in July just hours after he jetted into the country for a family break.