Returning to Portugal?

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Braken
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Re: Returning to Portugal?

Post by Braken »

Agree 100%

Flying out today for three weeks.

It was this or three weeks in Lancashire - Bolton & Blackburn!
widge
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Re: Returning to Portugal?

Post by widge »

widge wrote: Fri May 21, 2021 4:19 pm Looks like from next Monday you can fly into Alicante, no PCR test needed, drive to villa in Portugal, no border check, and fly home from Faro, no isolation or quarantine needed on return to UK.

Makes a complete nonsense of all the green, amber, red status ! :shock:
Well the latest changes close this loophole and enforcing the isolation rules upon return to UK should offer more protection to those who either haven't yet been offered a vaccine or have refused it.
PaulGoode
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Re: Returning to Portugal?

Post by PaulGoode »

Striderman, I cannot agree more! The past 15 months has seen the decimation of small businesses, the closure of the NHS resulting in 5m people now on the waiting list and the psychological damage inflicted on millions caused by enforced control, loss of liberty etc. The collateral damage caused by lockdowns, not the pandemic is catastrophic. The rules are insane and if I were coming out to Carvoeiro this week there is no way I would isolate. This is stupidity personified!
Geoff
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Re: Returning to Portugal?

Post by Geoff »

Flying out today for three weeks.
Good for you....it's great here and, fortunately, quarantine on return won't be too much hassle...
widge
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Re: Returning to Portugal?

Post by widge »

The rules are insane and if I were coming out to Carvoeiro this week there is no way I would isolate. This is stupidity personified!
I don't think you have to quarantine in Carvoeiro, only when you return to UK.

For many, staying at home for 10 days and taking tests after day 2 and day 8 is worth it for a break in the sun.

We will be coming out end of August if still Amber and just follow the rules.

Danish friends who recently returned from Spain have been phoned by test and trace people every day to make sure that they're complying.
Geoff
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Re: Returning to Portugal?

Post by Geoff »

Prime Minister António Costa has announced an easing of restrictions for the summer – but the return of bars and discotheques isn’t in the equation.

Starting from June 14:

Restaurants and cafés, with seating plans as currently exist, can remain open till midnight for ‘admission’ and 1am for closure;
Shops can return to their normal working hours;
Public transports with ‘seating only’ can return to full capacity;
Public transports with seating AND standing places, can run at ⅔ capacity;
Theatres/ cultural performances can run till midnight – with 50% capacity in auditoria;
Outdoor events can take place with ‘marked placings’ for members of the audience and under DGS guidelines;
Sporting events can return with 33% capacity;
Weddings and baptisms can be held with 50% capacity.
From June 28 there will be further ‘easing’ of restrictions on sporting events; public transports will finally be able to return to running at ‘full capacity’ and Citizens’ Shops (Lojas de Cidadão) will return to be accessible without prior appointment.

The country’s deconfinement is going ahead with the current ‘risk matrix’ but there are ‘changes’.

The ‘risks’ are being extended: a high-density municipality will not be in ‘danger’ of going ‘backwards’ in terms of deconfinement until it has DOUBLE the number of infections previously considered too high. While a low density borough has even more leeway.

In other words, the previous blanker red line of 120 cases per 100,000 is moving to 240 cases for municipalities with large populations; low density municipalities – the ones that have most suffered in the ‘stop-start’ of deconfinement – will be allowed to reach levels of 480 cases per 100,000.

Events still not authorised include summer festivals like the June ‘Santos Populares’.

“The pandemic hasn’t disappeared”, Mr Costa stressed as he laid out the new rules – reinforcing the need for everyone still to wear masks outdoors but making it quite clear that these only need to be worn in situations “when it is not possible to maintain a safe distance” from others.

“It’s still too soon to lift this restriction”, said the PM, “bearing in mind the high level of transmission and the fact that there is still no data on whether people who are vaccinated can still transmit the virus. It is not comfortable (to wear a mask), even less so in the summer, with the heat”, he added.

But for now this is as far as authorities are prepared to go.

Reactions from the bar/ discotheque/ nightlife sector which heard there is no chance of reopening before the end of August will no doubt follow.

natasha.donn@algarveresident.com
Geoff
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Re: Returning to Portugal?

Post by Geoff »

Next problem is now booking days 2 and 8 tests when back....EJ/Randox do it for discounted £120.....anyone found something better value? also if quarantined, how do you get tests sent off?
PhilT
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Re: Returning to Portugal?

Post by PhilT »

I think that essential travel is allowed even under quarantine, ie shopping, doctor. Presumably that would include travelling to take or deliver a PCR test.
Still planned for 12 Sept - hopefully!
carolyn
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Re: Returning to Portugal?

Post by carolyn »

Randox have a network of drop boxes where you can drop off your tests - check their website. You are allowed out to drop off
widge
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Re: Returning to Portugal?

Post by widge »

Thirty-nine flights are scheduled to depart from Faro Airport in the Algarve for the UK on Monday, nearly double the usual total.

Travellers must arrive in the UK before 4am on Tuesday or they will be required to self-isolate at home for 10 days.

This is due to the Government's controversial decision to remove Portugal from its green travel list.

Tourists wanting to beat the deadline are being hit by a combination of many flights being sold out, and the handful of available seats being sold at inflated prices.

Ryanair is charging £285 for a flight from Faro to Bournemouth on Monday, but just £17 on Wednesday.

EasyJet flights from Faro to Gatwick are £227 on Monday and £53 on Tuesday.

What a mess ! :evil:
PaulGoode
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Re: Returning to Portugal?

Post by PaulGoode »

It is indeed a mess! Boris and his cronies are going to destroy the travel industry and anything associated with it. If we don’t accept we have to live with Covid as we do with Flu this will never end and there will no longer be a leisure industry.
Geoff
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Re: Returning to Portugal?

Post by Geoff »

Met 2 people who had EJ flights cancelled but were not advised by EJ! Check your bookings.

Also, someone denied boarding (in Spain) because their antigem certificate didn't include their dob.....beware!
Geoff
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Re: Returning to Portugal?

Post by Geoff »

....and someone who booked days 2 & 8 tests with Boots who then messed up bigtime by not providing a code for the booked tests - so she was refused boarding !
gordon
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Re: Returning to Portugal?

Post by gordon »

Hi Geoff,

I don't quite understand why you need evidence of tests on day 2&8 to fly. Can you explain.

Thanks
widge
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Re: Returning to Portugal?

Post by widge »

I think Geoff is referring to the tests needed when returning to UK.

Presumably you have to evidence the fact that you have booked them before you fly home.
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