News from afpop - Friday 14th of January 2022 - Update

Good afternoon to you all and welcome to the 2^nd Briefing of this new year. It’s starting to get a little complicated again, as rules are introduced or relaxed for various sectors. Bars can re-open from today, but bizarrely not until 22h00, and need a negative COVID test for entry, but restaurants only need vaccination certificates. At least the vaccine certificates are now working as they should.
 
So, without further ado, let’s get into this.
 
State of Calamity –measures
You can see the measures in place at present in our previous mailing HERE:
https://afpop.com/en/afpop-latest-news-1?aid=165&bx=1
 
Bars and clubs can open again from today (only after 22h00). Customers must present a negative PCR test performed within the last 72 hours OR a negative rapid antigen test performed in the last 48 hours, which can either be shown in the EU Digital COVID Certificate (Certificado de Testagem) on the SNS24 app, or in printed document. Customers may also do a self-test, with a negative result, performed at the door of the establishment, which must be completed under supervision and verification of workers responsible for accessing these spaces.
The following visitors are exempt:

 
EU Digital COVID Certificate – updating the booster vaccination
The SNS24 system IS now updating the certificates correctly to indicate that the booster vaccine has been administered as follows:
The certificate will show 3/3 for people who have already received booster doses after the two dose vaccine and 2/1 for those who have received booster afterward of a single-dose vaccine or who have recovered from the virus.
Please bear in mind that the update can take 2-3 weeks after the booster has been administered.
 
From February the Certificate for people fully vaccinated (2/2 or 1/1) who have not yet had the booster vaccination will change from having a validity of 6 months to 9 months (270 days). We will inform Members when this comes into force and until then the validity will remain 6 months.
 
For more information, see our factsheet FS 28.
 
COVID Vaccination self-scheduling
You can book online in following situations:
COVID Booster (+ FLU vaccine)
Age group:

 
Here is the link for making the appointment if you fall into one of the groups above:
https://covid19.min-saude.pt/pedido-de-agendamento
 
Travel
You can find information about travel restrictions in our previous mailing HERE:
https://afpop.com/en/afpop-latest-news-1?aid=165&bx=1
  
We remind you of the following:
 
Entering Portugal by plane
Under the measures currently in force, all travellers with destination to, or transit through, the national territory must present a negative laboratory COVID test result prior to boarding, performed within 72 hours, if PCR type; or within 48 hours, if rapid antigen type.
 
This requirement does not apply to:

 
All passengers need to complete a Passenger Locator Form (individually) online at https://portugalcleanandsafe.pt/en/passenger-locator-card , after check-in and before departure time. The QR Code generated when filling in the form can be presented in paper or digital form.
 
Domestic flights
The above measures do not apply to domestic flights.
 
Entering Portugal by LAND Borders
Land borders remain open with following measures:
 
1 – All people arriving from countries outside the European Union (EU) or from EU countries considered to have a red or dark red risk level, when they do not have the EU Digital COVID Certificate proving test or recovery , must present either:
 
a) Laboratory proof of negative PCR test performed in the last 72 hours;
b) Laboratory proof of negative rapid antigen test performed in the last 48 hours;
 
2 - People arriving from EU countries considered to be at low or moderate risk, must have an EU Digital COVID Certificate showing vaccination, test or recovery (there are at present no countries in the EU considered low or moderate risk)
 
The GNR and SEF will carry out random inspection operations at border crossing points. Anyone who does not present one of the aforementioned certificates or evidence is notified to carry out a COVID test - at the their own expense - in places indicated by the health authorities, which must be within a radius of 30 km from the inspection site and where citizens must wait for the result.
 
Anyone who does not present proof of COVID testing or refuses to take one of the aforementioned tests will receive a fine of 300 to 800 euros.

An EU Map with risk levels has been updated on the 13^th of January and you can find it here: 
https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/covid-19/situation-updates/weekly-maps-coordinated-restriction-free-movement
 
All travel measures remain in force until 9^th of February 2022- but as usual may be revised at any time depending on the evolution of the epidemiological situation in different countries or regions of the world.
 
Açores rules
https://destinoseguro.azores.gov.pt/?page_id=8908
You will find a translate button on the left bottom of your screen.
 
Madeira rules
https://www.visitmadeira.pt/en-gb/useful-info/corona-virus-(covid-19)/information-covid-19
 
Travel requirements Worldwide:
Please check HERE: https://www.algarvepromotion.pt/preview.aspx?pageID=4058&ver=19302
 
Office update
I’m pleased to confirm that the afpop office will again be open to visitors from Monday 17^th of January. To avoid congestion however, I ask Members to book an appointment prior to their visit by email info@afpop.com or telephone 282 458 509. We look forward to welcoming you.