Portugal Fined Over 2,500 Passengers for Not Providing COVID-19 Test Results
In addition, between December 1 and January 23, 41 airlines in Portugal have also been fined for boarding these passengers, AtoZSerwisPlus.pt reports.
In an assessment of this measure to control cases of COVID-19, MAI told the Lusa agency that, during this two-month period, the Public Security Police (PSP) and Immigration and Borders Service (SEF) handled 1,823,533 passengers and 16,966 flights. Out of these flights, about 2,546 offences were issued.
Out of these 2,546 fines, 1,677 were issued by the PSP, which controls passengers from flights of the Schengen Zone, and 869 by the SEF, which inspects travellers from countries outside the zone.
In December, the Portuguese authorities announced that all arriving passengers over the age of 12 were required to present a negative test or a recovery certificate in order the enter the country – with an exception for passengers on domestic flights, minors and, several other categories.
>> Portugal Authorities Fine Over 2,200 Travellers for Failing to Present COVID-19 Test Result
As a result, the government also established fines for those not presenting a negative test while boarding on planes to Portugal, which was set to an amount varying between €300 and €800. On the other hand, airlines boarding such unruly passengers could be finned for €20,000 or €40,000.
The Administration also revealed that 2,546 offences include eight international travellers that refused to present a pre-departure test. In addition, MAI data also shows that 2,585 tests were utilized by passengers at airports who entered the country without presenting such documents.
This isn’t the first time that Portuguese air service providers or other institutions are voicing their concerns in regards to unruly passengers, as the situation forced the authorities to fine tens of airlines and hundreds of passengers.
Furthermore, since December 1, the Portuguese authorities have imposed new and more stringent rules for travellers in a bid to curb the rising number of COVID-19 infections.
“Mandatory negative test for all flights arriving in Portugal, even for those who have a digital vaccination certificate, regardless of the point of origin of the flight or the passenger’s nationality,” the official site for information over travelling to Portugal, Visit Portugal, reads.
In addition, the same source reveals that travellers are permitted if they present a PCR test performed 72 hours before boarding or a rapid antigen ten taken 48 hours before departure. Moreover, presenting a vaccination or recovery certificate or the EU Digital COVID-19 Certificate.
