A UK travel agent with branches in both England and Wales and whose headquarters is just five miles from the Welsh border has welcomed the decision to add islands to quarantine lists over whole countries, but says differing rules between nations still are causing widespread confusion, as seven Greek islands are added to England’s quarantine list.

Polka Dot Travel has 19 branches across North Wales, Mid-Wales, Shropshire, Staffordshire and Cheshire.

Currently 60 per cent of its overseas customers are in Portugal or Greece.

It has slammed the decision to still allow UK nations to have conflicting quarantine rules, as Transport Secretary Grant Shapps didn’t announce UK wide rulings.

Mark Johnson, director of Polka Dot Travel, said: “Following the latest announcement English travellers returning from seven Greek islands will have to quarantine, whilst Wales has only named six islands and Scotland has ruled out the whole country including the mainland.

“Every part of the UK needs to have the same quarantine rules.

"The constant changing of advice, and the last minute making of decisions was causing enough disruption and it is getting worse.”

Last week’s announcement was the first time the Welsh Government has set different quarantine rules from the UK government.

“Due to the location of our branches, most of our Welsh holidaymakers returning from Portugal and the affected Greek Islands will travel back through an airport in England, such as Manchester, leaving different rules for people coming from the same destination on the same flight.

“We are working alongside tour operators to support affected our customers by offering free of charge cancellations or alternative holidays however, at least half of our customers contacted have been defiant, choosing to continue with their holiday and plan to quarantine upon their return.

“The pandemic continues to have a major impact on all business across the country and while we acknowledge how important it is to follow guidelines put in place for safety we do feel that the UK must have the same rules and benchmarks with regards to quarantine.”

Under last week’s rules those who live in Wales returning from Portugal or one of six Greek islands will have to quarantine upon the return.

From 4am on Wednesday, holidaymakers from England will have to quarantine upon their return from seven Greek islands.

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “The latest data from the Joint Biosecurity Centre (JBC) clearly showed that travel from certain countries and territories posed a threat to public health in Wales. We took immediate action to do everything we can to keep the people of Wales safe from the continued threat Coronavirus poses.

“If you live in Wales, the rules set by the Welsh Government apply. If you live in England, the rules set by the UK Government apply. That has been the case for the last 21 years in a whole range of policy areas."

The Department For Transport was also approached for a comment.