Portugal holidays: FCO updates travel advice for Britons hoping to visit Portugal

Portugal was added to the UK’s quarantine list this summer after recording a surge in coronavirus cases. That means Britons returning from Portugal to the UK must self-isolate for 14 days on their arrival. However, Madeira and the Azores remain exempt from the quarantine rules.

The regions of Madeira and the Azores, are also exempt from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advice against all non-essential international travel.

Britons have been left with very few holiday options recently with Spain, France and Turkey all now on the quarantine list.

But for those who are still planning a holiday to Portugal despite the quarantine rules, there are some new entry requirements that are worth noting.

Portugal’s entry requirements now include filling out a passenger locator form (PLF) before arrival.

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Arrivals can also expect a health screening when they enter the country.

The latest FCDO advice reads: “If you are travelling to Portugal from the UK, the European Area, Australia, Canada, China, Georgia, Japan, Morocco, New Zealand, Rwanda, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia or Uruguay, you will be subject to health screening on arrival at mainland airports and ports.

“Your temperature will be checked and if it is 38C or over or you show signs of being unwell, you will be referred to the health authorities at the airport.

“You may be required to take a COVID-19 test and to self-isolate at your accommodation until the test results are known.”

“If you are travelling to Portugal from any country other than those specified above, you will need to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test to airline staff prior to boarding, except if you are in direct transit and do not need to leave the airport.

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“The test must have been carried out within 72 hours of departure.

“You can be refused boarding if you do not have proof of having taken a test, unless you are a Portuguese national or are legally resident in Portugal.”

However, there are different entry requirements in place for those wishing to visit Madeira, Porto Santo or the Azores.

Those wishing to visit the beautiful islands of Madeira or Porto Santo mush complete and submit a traveller questionnaire 12 to 48 hours before departure.

Visitors must also take a coronavirus test 72 hours before they travel and then upload the test result.

On arrival travellers will also be subject to a health screening.

The advice added: “If you have not uploaded your COVID-19 test result, you will be asked to show it at the airport.

“If you do not have proof of a COVID-19 test, you can take a test at the airport but remember you will have to self-isolate at your accommodation until you receive your test results.

“If you test positive, you will have to repeat the test at weekly intervals until the result is negative.”

Before you enter the Azores, you must also complete a passenger questionnaire and take a COVID-19 test 72 hours before you travel and upload your coronavirus test result.

Once you have completed the form, you will then get a some which you will present to the health authorities on arrival.

You will then be subject to a health screening and those who have not completed the passenger questionnaire online, will be asked to fill in a form manually at the airport and show proof of a negative COVID-19 test.

The advice added: “If you do not have proof of a COVID-19 test, you will be able to take a test at the airport but remember you will have to self-isolate at your accommodation until you receive your test results. If you test positive, you will have to repeat the test at weekly intervals until the result is negative.

“If you are staying for more than seven days, you will have to repeat the test locally six days after the first test.”

source: express.co.uk