COVID-19 | Measures implemented in Portugal

Reopening plan /3rd Phase
[Updated 15 September]

During the outbreak of pneumonia by the new Coronavirus – COVID-19 the Portuguese government has been taking all necessary public health measures to protect the entire population. The analysis of the evolution of the outbreak is constant and implementation of new measures will be carried out whenever necessary.

General behavior guidelines were enacted, in which all people must adopt a social distance (2 meters) and the use of face masks is mandatory in public transport and services, shops and supermarkets, in closed spaces or in places with many people. In Madeira, the use of a mask is mandatory in all public places, closed or open.

In order to prevent the spread of the virus and the possibility of contagion, all services should take hygiene and sanitization measures according to the indications of the Directorate-General for Health, with specific recommendations for various sectors of activity. In tourism, the “Clean & Safe” seal, defined by Turismo de Portugal, was implemented, which allows tourists to have greater security and confidence in the use of accommodation establishments, in the various tourist services and tourist attractions.

In the archipelagos of Madeira and the Azores, both regional governments have enacted some specific measures.

Detailed information about the Deconfinement Plan at https://covid19estamoson.gov.pt/ (in Portuguese)
Azores – https://covid19.azores.gov.pt
Madeira – www.visitmadeira.pt

You can get updated information on the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal at WHO – World Health Organization (https://covid19.who.int/region/euro/country/pt) or at DGS – Portuguese General Directorate of Health (https://covid19.min-saude.pt/).

Travel within Portuguese territory / Border restriction
There are no specific restrictions on mobility within the Portuguese territory or to cross land borders, but social distancing rules and the use of face masks should always be observed.

Trips to the Azores and Madeira Islands
Passengers flying to the Madeira archipelago have to present a negative test to COVID-19 carried out within 72 hours before embarkation or they will be able to take it upon arrival. More information at www.visitmadeira.pt and Madeira safe to discover

Passengers flying to the Azores archipelago will be subject to one of the following options:
1. Submit proof of testing to COVID-19 up to 72 hours prior to flight departure;
2. Perform test on arrival and stay in prophylactic isolation until the result is obtained;
3. Return to the destination of origin or travel to any destination outside the Region, fulfilling, until the time of the flight, prophylactic isolation in a hotel indicated for this purpose.
If the stay is longer than seven days, on the 6th day from the date SARS-CoV-2 first test was performed, the passenger must contact the health services of the county where is staying so that a second test can be performed.
More information at https://covid19.azores.gov.pt

Flights to and from the European Union and Schengen Area
The resumption of air routes with the countries of the European Union, as well as in the Schengen Area, is dependent on border restrictions and on the evolution of the epidemiological situation worldwide. Therefore, before making a trip, it is important to consult the alerts and restrictions provided by foreign and border services, whether in the country where the trip starts as in Portugal (www.sef.pt).

At the European Union website – https://reopen.europa.eu – you can find information on each country about borders, available means of transport, travel restrictions, health and public safety measures, as well as other practical information for travelers.

To know which are the travel regulations all around the world, check the map at the IATA Travel Centre.

Flights to and from Portugal
Air travel to and from Portugal is allowed to:
– European Union countries;
– Schengen Associated Countries – Liechtenstein, Norway, Iceland, Switzerland – and the United Kingdom;
– Australia, Canada, China, South Korea, Georgia, Japan, Morocco, New Zealand, Rwanda, Thailand, Tunisia, Uruguay.
It is not necessary to present the COVID-19 Test on these flights, unless the destinations are the archipelagos of Madeira or the Azores.

Flights between Portugal and other destinations will only be permitted for essential travel. In this case, passengers must present a negative test to COVID-19 (RT-PCR), carried out within 72 hours before departure time. This test is not asked in Portugal for those who are in transit and do not have to leave the airport facilities.
“Essential travel” is defined as trips allowing the transit, entry into and departure from Portugal for the following persons:
– citizens of a European Union member state, Schengen Associated countries and their family members;
– citizens repatriated through consular assistance;
– third-country nationals travelling for professional purposes, study, family reunions, health and humanitarian reasons and under the reciprocity principle.
In essential travels, national and foreign citizens with legal residence in Portugal and also diplomatic personnel accredited in Portugal who, exceptionally, do not present the test, will have to do it on arrival, at the airport, and at their own expense. Foreign passengers who embark without the test performed, will be refused entry into national territory, with the airline being the subject of a fine.

The Portuguese airports (Lisboa, Porto, Faro, Ponta Delgada e Funchal) have implemented several initiatives in order to keep staff and passengers safer. A body temperature measurement system was implemented on arrival. Passengers will be requested to fill out a form from the Health Authorities (Passenger Locator Form), which will be provided by the Airline Company, during the flight. This information will be used to contact passengers, in case someone develops COVID-19 symptoms within the same flight.
More information at https://www.ana.pt/en/passenger-guide/what-you-need-to-know/covid-19

Useful links with information on flights from/to Portugal:
– www.flytap.com
– www.ana.pt/en/corporate/ana/flight-restrictions
– www.azoresairlines.pt
– www.ryanair.com
– www.airfrance.pt
– www.lufthansa.com
– www.eurowings.com
– www.easyjet.com
– www.airtransat.com
– www.airmalta.com

On Portuguese territory, travelers who show symptoms suggestive of respiratory disease during or after travel should immediately contact the National Health Service by calling 808 24 24 24 (SNS24).

If you are a foreigner visitor and want to do the test for Covid-19 shortly after arrival, before departure or at any time in mainland Portugal or Madeira you can do it in one of the hospitals and clinics included in the Portugal Health Passport that can provide you personalized support in your language. The test for Covid-19 must be scheduled with a consultation and the results will be available in up to 72 hours. More information is available at test.covid19@portugalhealthpassport.com

If you are a foreigner and you need to contact your embassy, please consult the website of the Diplomatic Corps in Portugal: www.portaldiplomatico.mne.gov.pt/rede-diplomatica/corpo-diplomatico-em-portugal

If you are Portuguese or you live in Portugal, in case you have a scheduled trip, you should consult the restrictions in each country on the Portal das Comunidades:
Alerts (in Portuguese) – www.portaldascomunidades.mne.pt
Advice to Travellers (in Portuguese) – www.portaldascomunidades.mne.pt/pt/conselhos-aos-viajantes

If you are travelling and you need support on your return to Portugal, you can contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
Portuguese travelers line – gec@mne.pt/ +351 217 929 714 / +351 961 706 472

Embarkation and disembarkation of tourism cruises
Passenger boarding and disembarkation at Portuguese ports is not permitted, except for resident passengers.

Gatherings
The circulation and gathering of groups of up to 10 people is not permitted, in private or in public spaces, unless they belong to the same household.

Transports
The use of face masks is mandatory.
Public transports are limited to 2/3 of the capacity.
In taxis / TVDE, the front seats must be used only by the driver, and passenger occupancy cannot exceed 2/3 of the remaining space.

Rent-a-Car
In vehicles with a capacity of 5 seats or less, they can be fully occupied if they belong to the same household.
If the vehicle has a capacity for more than 5 seats, its capacity is limited to 2/3 of the total, unless they are part of the same household.

Access to commercial premises and catering and beverage establishments
In supermarkets, pharmacies and stores of essential goods, a minimum distance of 1,5mt must be maintained between table places. The use of face masks is mandatory when people walk around in the restaurant.
The take-away options and home deliveries can be maintained.
Restaurants must close by 1:00 am.

Bars and Nightclubs
Bars and nightclubs can open with the same rules as cafes, without dancing area.

Museums, cultural spaces and leisure spaces
Museums, monuments and cultural spaces have reopened with specific circulation measures and social distance.
Cinemas, theaters, auditoriums and showrooms must have marked seats, reduced capacity and must keep physical distance.
The use of face mask is mandatory.

Open-air events
Outdoor shows can take place in a delimited venue to allow access control, even if free. They must follow rules of social distance and circulation, in order to minimize physical contact.

Religious Ceremonies
Religious ceremonies must follow the rules of capacity reduction, social distancing and the mandatory use of a mask.

Golf
Each golf course follows the recommended health guidelines as well as specific measures established by the Portuguese Golf Federation available at www.fpg.pt.

Accommodation
During the month of June, the tourist accommodation will resume its activity, being able to adopt the “Clean & Safe” seal implemented by Turismo de Portugal, which allows the identification of establishments and services that have implemented enhanced hygiene and safety measures.
A general occupancy limitation has not been determined, but each accommodation unit must define a Contingency Plan to be applied in the COVID-19 context, with circulation rules in common areas, as well as hygiene and cleaning procedures.

Swimming pool
Establishments with a swimming pool must implement procedures for the prevention and control of infection, ensuring compliance with rules of occupation, permanence, hygiene of spaces and physical distance between users.

Campings
The campsites, as well as the service areas for motorhomes, will have a maximum capacity limited to 2/3 of the area.

Beaches
An occupancy status information system is available through signage, to help choosing the beach:
Green: low occupancy (1/3)
Yellow: high occupancy (2/3)
Red: full occupancy (3/3)
The information will be updated in real time on the “Info Praia” app (available for iOS and Android) and on the website of the Portuguese Environment Association – https://infopraia.apambiente.pt/ (in Portuguese)
Rules available at https://covid19estamoson.gov.pt/plano-desconfinamento-medidas-gerais/desconfinamento-praias/ (in Portuguese)