Portugal tightens Covid rules ahead of Christmas season

The rules being implemented from 1 December will make providing a negative test mandatory for all airline passengers arriving in Portugal, regardless of their vaccination status. Travellers can take either a PCR or lateral flow test.

The Portuguese government said it would also be applying “heavily increased sanctions” for airlines breaking the Covid rules.

Other changes from 1 December, when a “state of calamity” will be declared for the country, include all people going to nightclubs and bars having to present a negative test result, which also applies for large events without “marked” seating and sports venues.

Wearing masks will also be compulsory in “all closed” spaces and people going to restaurants, tourist attractions and hotels must also present their digital health certificate.

Portugal’s government said it had taken the “preventive measures” after listening to health experts to contain the spread of Covid-19 in the coming weeks.

“The arrival of winter, the wave that is spreading with intensity in several European countries and the approach of a festive season led the government to act to prevent the number of Covid-19 infections, which has been growing in recent weeks, from increasing substantially,” said the government in a statement.