Irish holidaymakers hoping to head to Portugal are being warned that ongoing Covid restrictions are being enforced in the country, with the government extending the current health alert until the end of the summer season.
Health officials are sounding the alarm over Covid-19 infection rates and say they cannot rule out the reintroduction of strict Covid measures if infections rise further during the autumn. As the of alert now is now in place until August holidaymakers are reminded that mask wearing is now mandatory on the mainland of Portugal.
Everyone aged 10 or over will have to continue wearing a mask on public transport, when travelling by air, in taxis and private car hires, and on entry to medical facilities, retirement homes and nursing homes. This rule applies on the mainland of Portugal, although there are separate guidelines in force for Madeira, the Azores and Porto Santo, where anyone aged six and above must wear a face covering whilst on public transport.
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Social distancing guidelines also remain in place and testing facilities are in operation at all Portuguese airports. On Monday, Minister of State Mariana Vieira da Silva said: “A resolution was approved that extends the state of the alert throughout the mainland due to the Covid-19 pandemic until August 31."
The minister said: "When autumn comes, we might have a worsening of the pandemic that may make it necessary to take additional measures." Portugal removed all Covid entry restrictions at the beginning of July, meaning both vaccinated and unvaccinated travellers can enter.
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