News from afpop - Friday 11th of February 2022 - Update

Michael Reeve - 22-02-2022

News from afpop - Friday 11th of February 2022 - Update

Included in this briefing: 1. State of Calamity 2. Travel 3. EU Digital COVID Certificate validity 4. Satellite Office in Almancil 5. afpop Office visits

Good morning to you all and welcome to this week’s Briefing for Members. We thought this was a good opportunity to remind Members of the restrictions in place, rather than include links to previous Briefings as we have done over the last few weeks. There are also some minor changes to the travel conditions, but essentially the restrictions in force across Portugal and the islands have not altered substantially since early January.

Once again, regardless of rumours in the media and social media outlets, we continue to focus on what the government says, rather than the speculation about what they might be considering, particularly as at the moment there is no indication that the current State of Calamity will be cut short.

State of Calamity

The following measures are still in force until the 20^th of March:

Maximum occupancy in public establishments of 1 person per 5 square meters;
Prohibition of consumption of alcoholic beverages in public spaces, with the exception of esplanadas.

The EU Digital COVID Certificate (proving full vaccination OR negative test OR recovery) or other recognised proof of full vaccination (Here you will find a list of non-EU countries and territories whose certificates are accepted under the same conditions as the EU Digital Certificate), or a negative test result is mandatory for access to:

Restaurants;
Tourist establishments and alojamento local;
Cultural shows;
Events with assigned places;
Casinos, Bingo halls and similar;
Gyms.

The presentation of a negative COVID test is mandatory for access to:

Visits to nursing homes;
Visits to patients admitted to healthcare facilities;
Bars and night clubs
Large events and events without assigned places or in improvised venues
Sports venues (according to the DGS rules).

If fully vaccinated with the booster done more than 14 days ago, you are exempt from showing a negative test in bars/nightclubs, nursing homes, healthcare facilities and certain large events.
Children under the age of 12 are exempt from the measures concerning presentation of certificate or test.

Travel

Travel to Portugal Mainland
A new Decree law has been published on the 8^th of February and came into force on the 9^th of February with slight changes to the previous laws and will remain into force until 23h59 of the 28^th of February. (As usual this can be reviewed at any time depending on the evolution of the epidemiological situation).

Allowed to enter Portugal (essential and non-essential travel):

Countries of the European Union or of a State associated with the Schengen Area (Liechtenstein, Norway, Iceland and Switzerland);
Brazil, USA and UK (from the 19th of February also Canada).

Travel reliant upon reciprocity:
The next group is those countries where non-essential travelling to Portugal is reliant on agreement of reciprocity:
Bahrain, Chile, Colombia, Indonesia, Kuwait, New Zealand, Peru, People's Republic of China, Qatar, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay.
Special Administrative Regions
1 - Hong Kong
2 - Macau
Territorial entities and authorities not recognized as countries by at least one Member State
1 – Taiwan

If the EU Digital COVID Certificate (vaccination or recovery) is not recognised reciprocally, the certificates of these countries will not be accepted by Portugal.
The vaccinations need to have been approved by INFARMED and the certificates need to contain all data set out by law.

Flights that are not from the mentioned countries, are exclusively allowed for essential trips only, being considered as such those that are carried out for professional reasons, study, family reunion, for health reasons or for humanitarian reasons.

Tests to enter Portugal Mainland
It is no longer a requirement to present a negative test for crossing the border into Portugal, for those who have an EU Digital COVID Certificate (or other proof of vaccination or recovery that has been recognised as equivalent – i.e. from the UK. Here you will find a list of non-EU countries and territories whose certificates are accepted under the same conditions as the EU Digital COVID Certificate). Those conditions are:

Completion of the primary vaccination series, more than 14 days ago and less than 270 days since the last dose, with a vaccine against COVID-19; or
If the holder had a booster dose of a vaccine against COVID-19; or
If the holder has proof of Recovery less than 180 days old.

If people do not have the above, they will need proof of a negative test, that is a PCR test not older than 72 hours or a rapid antigen test not older than 24 hours. Children under 12 do not need to present a test.

It is mandatory for all passengers arriving by air to complete a Passenger Locator Form (individually) online at https://portugalcleanandsafe.pt/en/passenger-locator-card whether you are travelling to Mainland Portugal or are only transiting. The form must be completed electronically before departure time.
Arriving by sea: https://portugalcleanandsafe.pt/en/passenger-locator-maritime-card.
The forms can be submitted within 4 days prior to arrival in Portugal. You will receive a notification that you should keep with you, either digitally or printed, during your trip. Non-compliance with this requirement will be considered an administrative offence, sanctioned with a fine between €300 to €800 and you can be refused boarding. On flights within mainland Portugal it is not necessary to fill in the Passenger Location form.

The Islands
Below you will find specific information for:
Madeira: https://www.visitmadeira.pt/en-gb/useful-info/corona-virus-(covid-19)/information-to-visitors-(covid-19)
Açores: https://www.visitazores.com/en/trip-info

It is mandatory for all passengers bound for mainland Portugal or in transit (including from Madeira and Azores) to fill online a Passenger Locator Form (individually) - see above.

Travel requirements Worldwide:
https://www.algarvepromotion.pt/preview.aspx?pageID=4058&ver=19302

For our Members from the USA, this LINK may be useful.

EU Digital COVID Certificate validity
As of 1 February 2022, certificates issued for the primary vaccination series are valid for travel purposes within the EU for a period of 9 months (270 days).

The certificate for vaccination will attest:

Completion of the primary vaccination series of the respective holder, more than 14 days ago
Taken a booster dose.

The test certificate will certify that the holder has been subject to:

A PCR test in the last 72 hours, with a negative result:
A rapid antigen test (TRag), within the last 24 hours, with a negative result.

Regarding the recovery certificate, the rules in force are maintained, it is valid after 11 days for 6 months (180 days).
You can find further information in our Fact Sheet FS28 (make sure you are logged in as a Member)

Satellite Office in Almancil
We would like to inform Members that we have a Satellite Office in Almancil on:
Wednesday 23^rd of February in the MEDAL office.
The Satellite will be open between 10h00 and 12h30 for Members who would like to speak with a staff member in person. As the MEDAL office waiting space is limited, please reserve a time in advance and we ask that you arrive promptly to avoid congestion. There is a coffee shop across the road from the MEDAL office if the reception area is full when you arrive.

To book an appointment at the Almancil Satellite, please contact Karina on info@afpop.com.

Office visits
A reminder that the afpop office is open to visitors, however to avoid congestion in the reception area, I ask that if possible Members book an appointment prior to their visit by email info@afpop.com or telephone 282 458 509. We look forward to welcoming you.

Until next time as always my best wishes to you all and please continue to stay safe.