Like in other countries across Europe, Portugal's COVID regulations are now being relaxed, and the most recent change declares the end of mandatory use of masks indoors in the country. This includes enclosed areas and schools, for example, but there will be some exceptions. The Portuguese Government has also approved other changes to the COVID regulations in Portugal, while the country's state of alert status will remain in place until 5th May, at the earliest. We have all the details about Portugal's new COVID rules and the regulations when it comes to masks no longer being mandatory in Portugal.
Portugal's new coronavirus rules come into force on Friday 22nd April 2022. According to the Minister of Health in Portugal, the conditions for the non-mandatory use of masks applies to schools and other enclosed spaces such as shops and restaurants, but they will still be required in places frequented by "especially vulnerable people". This refers especially to nursing homes and healthcare facilities, while masks in Portugal will also remain compulsory on public transport.
Marta Temido argues that the evolution of the pandemic situation is "positive" in Portugal and that although "we are not at the ideal level, the path allows at this moment to change the framework that existed". The MP recalls, however, that the pandemic "is not over" and admits that, seasonally, new measures may be taken.
Where do you have to wear a mask in Portugal?
António Costa's Socialist Government considers that the obligatory use of masks in Portugal still makes sense in the following places:
- in "places frequented by especially vulnerable people", such as health establishments and services, hospitals, residential structures (nursing homes), home support services for elderly people and in continuous care units.
- in "places characterised by intensive use", such as public transport, including on aeroplanes or taxis.
On the other hand, with the generalised end of face masks in Portugal, the following rules have also been changed:
- Travelling to Portugal from abroad: the Passenger Locator Form in Portugal is no longer compulsory for passengers on flights to or from mainland Portugal or on cruise ships when they dock in mainland Portugal.
- Portugal COVID certificate requirements: it is however worth noting that even though Portugal has lifted the majority of its domestic COVID-19 restrictions, the country still requires incoming travellers to hold a valid EU COVID Certificate, proving vaccination recovery or a negative test certificate.
- apart from entering Portugal, the COVID certificate is no longer required to access venues or certain establishments within the country.
It was also defined in the Council of Ministers that:
- the rules regarding the performance of diagnostic tests for SARS-CoV-2 are no longer fixed, but that their performance can be determined by the Directorate-General of Health of Portugal.
Portugal's "state of alert" to remain in place until 5th May
Portugal's state of alert situation, the lowest level of response to disasters of the Civil Protection Basic Law, was due to end on Friday 22nd April but the Government decided to extend it until 5th May when the situation will be revised.
"The Council of Ministers today approved the declaration of the alert situation in mainland Portugal until 5th May and introduced changes to the set of rules in force to prevent and combat the pandemic," said Mariana Vieira da Silva.
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