Portugal will ease the restrictions for travelers holding a European health certificate from Monday, in particular ceasing to require that they provide a negative test for Covid-19 before entering the territory, according to a decree published Sunday. Travelers in “possession of an EU digital Covid certificate” or any other “recognized proof of vaccination” will be exempted from presenting a negative test upon arrival in the national territory, according to this government decision.
The European Union’s digital Covid certificate certifies either a vaccine, a test or recovery from infection with Covid-19 for less than six months. Like other European countries, Portugal has required since the beginning of December that passengers over the age of 12, even vaccinated against Covid-19, present negative tests to enter the country.
European harmonization
This new decision by the Portuguese government follows European recommendations to better coordinate the rules applicable to travel within the EU and avoid imposing restrictions on holders of a European health certificate, as some countries have faced. the emergence of Omicron.
In addition, the period of validity of antigenic tests has been reduced in Portugal, from 48 to 24 hours, according to a decision announced Thursday in the Council of Ministers. Like most other countries around the world, Portugal is experiencing a spike in new infections linked to the Omicron variant. The country reported Saturday more than 41,000 contaminations in 24 hours and 44 deaths.
Source: 20minutes
