Portugal requires COVID test and vaccination certificate upon check-in at hotel Reuters

Authors: Catarina Demony and Victoria Waldersee

Lisbon (Reuters)-The Portuguese government announced on Thursday that due to the continuing increase in the number of infections, holidaymakers in Portugal will be required to show a negative COVID-19 test result, vaccination certificate or proof of rehabilitation before they can stay in hotels or other holiday accommodation.

In recent weeks, the number of new daily cases in Portugal has been steadily increasing, returning to the level when the country was under strict lockdown in February. Nearly 90% of cases belong to the more infectious Delta variant.

As the delta variant spreads, the country is struggling to save the usually busy summer.

On Friday nights and weekends, restaurants in 60 high-risk cities, including Lisbon and Porto, are also required to provide a negative test, vaccination certificate or proof of rehabilitation.

Cabinet Minister Mariana Vieira da Silva said: “For a long time, the only measure we can take is to restrict economic activity.” “With digital certificates, and more frequent testing of availability, we have other guarantees for security. Methods.”

Vacationers and restaurant customers can use the EU digital COVID-19 certificate. The Minister said that the rapid antigen test will also be effective and can be provided by the hotel upon check-in. The new rules will take effect on Saturday.

Except for children under the age of 12 accompanied by a parent or guardian.

The Portuguese Restaurant Association stated that “there are already too many rules and restrictions”, which may drive customers away.

“This may destroy the light of hope for many merchants,” it said.

Customers and companies that violate the rules may be fined up to 500 and 10,000 euros, respectively.

The measure will allow restaurants to reopen in high-risk areas on Saturday and Sunday, as they were forced to close early in the first two weekends.

The night curfew that has been implemented in 45 cities will be extended to another 15 cities, including the popular major city of Faro in the southern Algarve.

Portugal, with a population of 10 million, reported more than 3,000 coronavirus cases per day on Thursday, bringing the total since the pandemic began to 899,295.

After Portugal opened to tourists from the European Union and the United Kingdom in mid-May, cases began to gradually increase. However, the number of deaths per day is still far below the level of February, and new cases are mainly reported in the unvaccinated young population.