BRITS heading to Portugal for a long-awaited holiday must wear face masks on the beach or will be slapped with a £100 fine.
As foreign travel finally reopened for countries on the green list, it still remains a far cry from normality – as tourists were handed face masks, hand sanitiser and were asked for full details of their trip after stepping off the plane.
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Holidaymakers were also warned to abide by the strict rules regarding wearing face masks in public places, including beaches, or will face £100 fines.
Although the country is officially “open for business”, visitors must provide proof of a negative Covid PCR test and show a completed locator form with details of their accommodation.
Portugal pledged to try “at all costs to avoid quarantines and additional Covid-19 tests” for travellers, tourism minister Rita Marques said recently.
She also told the BBC: “‘We have been working hard to tackle the pandemic, as I said, so restaurants and coffee shops and shops and everything is open as from May 1.”
Bars and restaurants are now eagerly awaiting a boost of Brit tourism as thousands are expected to head to the holiday hotspot over the next few weeks.
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Tourists were thrown into turmoil this week when it was suddenly announced Portugal’s non-essential travel ban could be extended until May 30, before it was announced Brits could travel as planned.
Despite eases in restrictions, some shops and the likes of bars, restaurants, and cafes may operate for shorter trading hours.
Social distancing measures, temperature checking, and mandatory mask-wearing remain in force.
Portugal’s four-month lockdown has saw a substantial dip in Covid cases, as on Friday the country recorded its fifth consecutive day of no deaths in a 24 hour period since August.
Of the 12 countries on the green list, just four are open to the UK – seeing the majority of Brits flocking to Portugal.
The cost of plane tickets to the country soared, with airfares doubling in the 48 hours after the green list announcement.
On their return to England, those visiting green list countries will only need a negative Covid test before returning to the UK, and one on day two – no quarantine is required.
