Coronavirus in Portugal: new health measures

September 11, 2020

The off-season has begun, and some of you may be thinking of taking advantage of these lovely months to discover Portugal. Are you planning a trip to Portugal, but wondering whether it’s feasible because of the pandemic? What rules have been put in place in Portugal? Do they prevent you from traveling? In this article, we take stock of the coronavirus situation in Portugal.

The sanitary measures in place are not “set in stone” and may evolve according to the evolution of covid-19 in Portugal.

Faced with an increase in the number of coronavirus cases in Portugal over the last few days, the country has decided to go into a “state of contingency”. This state has already been in place for several weeks in the Lisbon region, but will now be extended to the whole country.

These rules should not affect the reception of travellers from the Schengen area. Portugal’s Prime Minister, Antonio Costa, made it clear that everything would be done “not to return to a total paralysis of the economy, and to avoid at all costs a new lockdown of the country”.

3 alert levels. As of September 15, Portugal is at the “State of Contingency” level

Travel to Portugal

Since June 15, Portugal’s borders have remained open to tourists from the Schengen area, and that hasn’t changed.

COVID TEST

No Covid-19 test required (except for Madeira and Azores).

FORM

You may be asked to complete a passenger location form on arrival(form here), so it’s important to complete it before your flight. In principle, this will be provided by the airline when you check in online.

TEMPERATURE

The temperature of arriving passengers is recorded by thermal cameras in Portugal’s airports. Random requests for temperature readings may be made from time to time, and if so, you are obliged to comply.

Bars-restaurants – coronavirus in Portugal

Sanitary measures on site

MASK

Masks must be worn in all enclosed public areas, but not in the street. On Madeira Island, masks must also be worn in the street.

RALLY

Gatherings of more than 10 people are prohibited.

SHOPS

Shops may not open before 10 a.m. (with exceptions such as bakeries, cafés, etc.) and must close between 8 and 11 p.m. (depending on the type of shop and the commune). Restaurants may remain open until 1am.

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES

No alcohol after 8pm unless consumed with a meal. It is forbidden to drink alcohol in the streets.

SHOPPING MALLS

Limit of 4 people per group in shopping malls.

CAFÉS-BAKERIES-RESTAURANTS

In cafés, bakeries and restaurants located within 300m of a school(high-traffic areas), the limit is 4 people per group.

STADIUMS

The public is still not allowed in stadiums.

WORK

In the Lisbon and Porto regions, working hours alternate between face-to-face and teleworking, to avoid overcrowding in transport and workplaces

Telecommuting – coronavirus in Portugal

In conclusion

You can travel to Portugal if you comply with the country’s regulations. It is important to keep abreast of developments just before your trip. I invite you to consult the website of the French Embassy in Portugal before you travel.

Finally, I remind you that if you have any symptoms on the spot, contact SAUDE 24(the Portuguese health service) on 808 24 24 24.

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