Portugal has reopened to travellers from the United States, welcoming them with pre-arrival testing, according to the US Embassy and Consulate in Portugal.
Americans who test negative for COVID-19 before their trip will now be allowed to visit the dreamy country of Portugal. According to the embassy, all travellers will need to present a negative Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT) like a RT-PCR test that should be conducted within 72 hours of their trip or a negative rapid antigen test taken within 24 hours of their trip. Children under 2 years are exempt.
In addition, anyone who is 12 years or older who wants to travel to the Azores (even from inside Portugal) is required to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of their departure to the islands, show proof they contracted the virus and recovered, or get tested upon arrival and isolate until a negative result is available. Travellers will again have to get tested on the 6th day of their trip.
Travellers who are headed to Madeira are also required to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of their trip, show proof they are vaccinated, or show proof they contracted the virus and recovered.
The decision to keep borders open to Americans will be reviewed every 2 weeks.
According to the embassy, in Portugal, cafes and restaurants are open, but limited to groups of 6 people indoors and 10 people outdoors. Stores are open as well, but have a curfew of 21:00 hours on weekdays and 19:00 hours on weekends, and alcohol can only be sold in all establishments until 20:00 hours.
Furthermore, the European country, known for its beautiful beaches, requires masks to be worn while walking on the sand, but allows people to drop them when sitting on their towels.
As for the vaccination status of Portugal, so far, 44% of people of Portugal have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 22.9% are fully vaccinated, according to Reuters.
Portugal’s reopening comes just over a week after neighbouring country Spain started welcoming international tourists, requiring them to test negative for the COVID-19 in addition to showing proof of their vaccination. The announcement of Portugal reopening to Americans comes just days after United Kingdom placed Portugal on the Amber List. Several other European countries have also opened their borders to U.S. tourists in recent weeks, including France, Denmark and Greece.
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