Portugal Prolongs Air Traffic Restrictions, Lifts Them for Britons Travelling for Essential Purposes
The Portuguese Government has decided to prolong air traffic restrictions due to the epidemiological situation prevailing in other countries caused by the COVID-19.
On the other hand, the country has lifted the restrictions for essential purposes for flights from the United Kingdom and Brazil.
“The suspension of flights with origin or destination in Brazil and the United Kingdom is lifted, only for essential trips – similarly to what already happened with flights from third countries,” the Government’s press release reads.
The new measure became effective on April 16, AtoZSerwisPlus.pt reports.
Under those rules, Portugal has suspended air traffic to and from its territory for all flights except for some flights from the European Union or Schengen Area countries, including Liechtenstein, Norway, Iceland, and Switzerland. However, Portugal tightened restrictions with other EU countries.
In a press release issued by the Portuguese authorities, all persons entering Portugal from South Africa, Brazil or any other country where the COVID-19 rate is higher than 500 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, also known as the dark red list, must self-isolate for 14 days at a location indicated by the health authorities. The rules apply to all persons entering the territory through air or land transport.
The dark red list currently includes the following countries: South Africa, Brazil, Bulgaria, Czechia, Cyprus, Croatia, Slovenia, Estonia, France, Hungary, the Netherlands, Poland, and Sweden.
Portugal allows trips for the citizens of the countries mentioned above only for essential purposes.
Similarly, passengers from countries with an incidence rate of more than 150 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, known as the red list, are subjected to the same rules as the countries placed on the dark red list.
The red list currently includes Germany, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Slovakia, Spain, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Norway, Romania, and Switzerland.
According to the Government, essential journeys that allow a person to enter Portugal include transiting through its territory, travelling for professional purposes, for study purposes, to reunite with other family members, and for health or humanitarian purposes.
All persons entering Portugal through air transport must present a negative PCR or rapid test results carried out not any longer than 72 hours before departure. Children under 24 months are exempt from such measures.
Last week, Portugal and Spain decided to extend their border controls again until May 3 in order to contain the further spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
