Portugal wants to bring tourists back this summer. The bathing season was launched this Saturday, with the introduction of new signs and colours for beach attendants to respect safe distances.
On the beaches, there is now a distance of 3 meters between each family or group that must be maintained, and the number of places is limited.
At the entrance of each beach, a traffic light will reveal whether there is room or not, with red meaning full and green empty. To avoid travelling for nothing, this data is accessible from an app.
Portugal is doing everything it can to save its summer season and bring tourists back - 27 million arrived last year, a record. Tourism is indeed crucial for the country’s economy.
The government has already put very strong measures in place, such as its “Clean & Safe” label which must guarantee hygienic precautions taken by labelled establishments. Over 4,000 establishments have already applied for their label.
The global health crisis has halted the economic recovery in Portugal, which saw its GDP fall by 3.9% in the first quarter of 2020 compared to the last three months of 2019, according to a provisional estimate published Friday by the National Institute of Statistics (Ine).
Tourism, which generated 8.7% of GDP last year, was particularly affected. In March, the tourist accommodation industry saw its number of guests and its turnover plummet by 62.3% and 60.2%, respectively, according to figures from Ine.
On the island of Madeira, the regional government has declared an end to the compulsory quarantine period for anyone arriving on the territory (Madeira and Porto Santo) from 1 July.
Travellers wishing to go to the island will have to complete a questionnaire, either beforehand or on site, and show the result of a Covid-19 test carried out maximum 72 hours before their arrival.
A similar test may also be carried out on site, funded by the local authorities, and the results of which will be communicated a few hours later to new arrivals.
In the meantime, they can move freely on the island and travel to their hotel or their vacation rental. In the event of a positive result, the persons concerned will be placed in quarantine in an establishment specially requisitioned by the regional government.
The repatriation will be done in agreement with the competent authorities, the airline and the patient’s insurance.
Video report in French
