Portugal's 'no quarantine' pledge to restart tourism

Speaking to the Portuguese press, Augusto Santos Silva said there would be no compulsory quarantine for arrivals, but that unspecified health checks would take place. Portugal’s Covid-19 death total is fewer than 1,500 and its UK representative confirmed this would be how its airports will operate.

The country is expected to re-open to some flights in mid-June, when the border with Spain will also open. Hotels are expected to resume operations from the start of the month, with beaches open from 6 June.

Portugal’s islands will have separate arrangements. Madeira and nearby Porto Santo plan to reopen to international tourists on 1 July and will pay for Covid-19 tests for anyone not certified as virus-free 72 hours prior to arrival.

Porto Santo beach was the first in Europe to re-open and there are no restrictions on travel between the two islands. Visit Madeira said there had been 90 cases of Covid-19 on the island but no deaths.

It added: “Madeira was a pioneer in the whole of Portugal in developing a good practices document to deal with Covid-19. These measures will provide comfort to those who travel and it is ultimately for the wellbeing of all.”

The Azores is operating a similar testing requirement, but for those who opt for a test on arrival, it is not offering to pay and will require isolation in a designated hotel until the all-clear is given.