James Mates On Itv News From The Algarve

[Bobbisox1]

Talking to the Portuguese PM about an air bridge and allowing the UK back in as their economy has plummeted 60%

How did James Mates get there???

[Hopkirk]

Perhaps he lives there

[Bobbisox1]

Now there’s a thought Hoppy , think you

[Hopkirk]

It seems he is the 'Europe Editor'.

Perhaps he got stuck out there, or just likes driving round Europe

[Bobbisox1]

A nice place to ‘get stuck’ then

[237SJ]

He probably flew there. There are still some flights to Europe.

[Mozz71]

Maybe he was there when the pandemic started and had to isolate there.I

Besides, weren't news reporters classed as essential workers at the beginning of the lockdown?

[KARL]

There have been flights between The UK and Portugal throughout, certainly London-Lisbon-London, fewer but continuously several every week.

[retrocop]

Some TV news reporters get special dispensation as a mutual arrangement. I recall a female reporter explaining the extra testing procedures she and her camera man had at arrival in the Chinese airport.

[Gromit]

While us plebs are barred, holiday flights grounded, business flights have continued.
From Heathrow there are 4 flight to Madrid daily from American, Iberia and British Airways.

[jno]

maybe he's stuck there.

[lankeela]

Maybe he's gone out there to get some sun to bleach his eyebrows.

[lankeela]

"Check are already being carried out at Lisbon airport, with ITV News Europe Editor James Mates having his temperature recorded as he walked through customs - more stringent measures, he says, than when he was leaving Heathrow."