Madeira Removes Mask Requirement, Enabling Travellers to Fully Enjoy Their Trip

On May 13, the authorities of the country have approved Resolution nº 316/2022, according to which the obligation to wear a mask in the majority of indoor and outdoor areas has been abolished, in the light of fewer COVID-19 cases and high vaccination rates.

“The use of a mask is mandatory, for persons from the age of 6, for the access or stay in the locations indicated below, in accordance with no 2), of Resolution nº 316/2022, of May 13.

• Health facilities and services, including pharmacies;
• Public passenger transport means, including passenger transportation by taxis or similar;
• Platforms and covered access areas to public transport, including airports and maritime terminals;
• In confirmed cases of COVID-19, in all circumstances, whenever the person is out of the location of isolation, until the 10th day after the onset of symptoms or a positive test result,” the authorities explain in VisitMadeira.com, which is the official website of the Official Madeira Tourism Board for travel to Madeira.

Mainland Portugal, on the other hand, has removed the obligation to wear a mask in late April for accessing the majority of public places and events, such as restaurants, cafes, shopping centers, and museums, among others. The obligation to wear a mask, remains effective in healthcare institutions and other facilities that are mainly frequented by vulnerable persons.

As an autonomous region, from the beginning of the pandemic, Madeira has kept in place restrictions separately from Portugal. While Portugal continues to apply entry restrictions for travellers to its mainland territory, Madeira has removed all restrictions as of mid-March.

“There are no restrictions on the entry of travellers at the airports, ports and marinas of the Autonomous Region of Madeira,” the authorities explain.

However, persons who show COVID-19 symptoms should be tested for COVID-19 at their own expense. If they result positive, they are obliged to quarantine at their home or in a hotel, also at their own expense. They can only leave isolation on their fifth day, if they have no more COVID symptoms. Testing is not obligatory in order to end quarantine on the sixth day.