News from afpop - Friday 18th of March update
Michael Reeve - 21-04-2022
News from afpop - Friday 18th of March update
Included in this briefing: 1. Situation of Alert 2. Travel 3. Satellite Office Almancil 4. afpop Office visits
Good afternoon everyone and welcome to another Briefing with no changes to the COVID restrictions in force, however the Alert status has been extended slightly as you will see below. There are also some changes to the travel restrictions.
Due to the continuing uncertainty about fuel costs, I remind you about the AUTOvoucher that we highlighted in last week’s Briefing, which I know some Members have already had a refund from. The increased €20 refund was only announced for March, after which it will return to the previous level of €5 per month. However we shall see if the government extends the higher rate into April.
A reminder that our Annual General Meeting takes place on Saturday 26th March at the Hotel Jardim do Vau. The booklet can be viewed and downloaded from the afpop website for anyone wishing to attend. Please remember that the AGM is only open to Members and if you are expecting to attend, would you please let the office know so we can be sure we have adequate space to accommodate everyone? Of course it’s not a requirement to book in advance, but it would help us if we have an idea of how many Members to expect.
Thank you to those who have responded to our information about help for the situation in Ukraine. I’ve decided not to continue to publicise details of help organisations in these Briefings, only because there are now so many and they’re all doing a good job of publicising their efforts.
Without further ado, here’s what we can tell you this week.
Situation of Alert
The Situation of Alert throughout mainland Portugal has been extended slightly and will now remain until 23h59 on the 30th of March 2022.
The measures that are in force are HERE: https://afpop.com/en/afpop-latest-news-1?aid=173&bx=1
Travel
A small change has been made to the Portuguese travel law, extending a few countries to the list for essential and non-essential trips to Portugal:
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);
- Angola, Brazil, Canada, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, São Tomé and Príncipe, UK, and USA.
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 recognised as countries by at least one Member State
1 – Taiwan
If the EU Digital COVID Certificate, in the modality of vaccination or recovery, is not recognised in reciprocity, 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, 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 will be no longer required 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) with:
Due to the continuing uncertainty about fuel costs, I remind you about the AUTOvoucher that we highlighted in last week’s Briefing, which I know some Members have already had a refund from. The increased €20 refund was only announced for March, after which it will return to the previous level of €5 per month. However we shall see if the government extends the higher rate into April.
A reminder that our Annual General Meeting takes place on Saturday 26th March at the Hotel Jardim do Vau. The booklet can be viewed and downloaded from the afpop website for anyone wishing to attend. Please remember that the AGM is only open to Members and if you are expecting to attend, would you please let the office know so we can be sure we have adequate space to accommodate everyone? Of course it’s not a requirement to book in advance, but it would help us if we have an idea of how many Members to expect.
Thank you to those who have responded to our information about help for the situation in Ukraine. I’ve decided not to continue to publicise details of help organisations in these Briefings, only because there are now so many and they’re all doing a good job of publicising their efforts.
Without further ado, here’s what we can tell you this week.
Situation of Alert
The Situation of Alert throughout mainland Portugal has been extended slightly and will now remain until 23h59 on the 30th of March 2022.
The measures that are in force are HERE: https://afpop.com/en/afpop-latest-news-1?aid=173&bx=1
Travel
A small change has been made to the Portuguese travel law, extending a few countries to the list for essential and non-essential trips to Portugal:
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);
- Angola, Brazil, Canada, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, São Tomé and Príncipe, UK, and USA.
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 recognised as countries by at least one Member State
1 – Taiwan
If the EU Digital COVID Certificate, in the modality of vaccination or recovery, is not recognised in reciprocity, 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, 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 will be no longer required 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) with:
- 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 a proof of 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 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) if you travel to Mainland Portugal or just transiting. The form has to be completed electronically before departure time. Or by sea: https://portugalcleanandsafe.pt/en/passenger-locator-maritime-card. The form can be submitted within 4 days prior to arrival in Portugal. Once submitted, you will receive a notification that you should keep with you, digitally or printed, during your trip. Non-compliance with this requirement will be considered an administrative offence, sanctioned with a fine of €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)
Azores: https://destinoseguro.azores.gov.pt/?page_id=8908
You will find a translate button on the left bottom of your screen.
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
Travelling to the UK
Travelling to the UK changes from today.
If you will arrive in the UK from abroad after 04h00, Friday the 18th of March, you do NOT need to:
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)
Azores: https://destinoseguro.azores.gov.pt/?page_id=8908
You will find a translate button on the left bottom of your screen.
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
Travelling to the UK
Travelling to the UK changes from today.
If you will arrive in the UK from abroad after 04h00, Friday the 18th of March, you do NOT need to:
- take any COVID-19 tests – before you travel or after you arrive
- fill in a UK passenger locator form before you travel
This will apply whether you are vaccinated or not.
You also will not need to quarantine when you arrive, in line with current rules.
Satellite Office Almancil
There will be a Satellite Office in Almancil on Tuesday 22nd of March 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
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.
You also will not need to quarantine when you arrive, in line with current rules.
Satellite Office Almancil
There will be a Satellite Office in Almancil on Tuesday 22nd of March 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
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.
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