Vaccinated British tourists will need a negative test to visit Portugal – £17,000 fine

Omicron variant: Holidaymaker says travel rules are ‘unfair’

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Portugal has said it will fine airlines £20,000 (£16,927) if they bring a passenger without a negative test. Even double jabbed Britons will need to present a negative test.

Portuguese Prime Minister, Antonio Costa, said: “It doesn’t matter how successful the vaccination was, we must be aware we are entering a phase of greater risk.

“We have seen significant growth (in cases) in the EU and Portugal is not an island.”

Currently British tourists are allowed to enter Portugal without a negative test result if they are fully vaccinated.

From December 1, they must have a negative Covid test to enter the country even if they are double jabbed.

Portugal is the EU’s most vaccinated country and has jabbed over 87 percent of its residents.

However, rising cases around the EU and in the UK have caused the country to tighten restrictions.

Portugal will enter a “state of calamity” on December 1 which is when the new restrictions will be introduced.

According to the UK Government website, British tourists visiting Portugal must take an antigen test within 48 hours of departure, or a PCR test within 72 hours of departure.

The UK Government says tourists must not use NHS testing services for tourism purposes.

Airlines will be fined almost £17,000 if they allow any passenger to travel to Portugal without a negative test result.

This means British tourists travelling to Portugal without a test will likely be denied boarding at the airport.

British tourists must also show proof of vaccination in Portugal to enter restaurants, tourist attractions and hotels from December 1.

Bars, nightclubs, sports arenas and some events will require tourists to show a negative Covid test and proof of vaccination to gain entry.

Tourists and residents must wear a face mask in all enclosed spaces in Portugal and outdoors where social distancing cannot be maintained.

British tourists can be fined if they breach any of Portugal’s COVID-19 restrictions while on holiday.

Tourists on the Portuguese island of Madeira must show a vaccination certificate and a negative test to enter bars, nightclubs, restaurants and other venues.

The rule on Madeira came into effect on 27 November and children under the age of 12 are exempt.

Many European countries have introduced new travel restrictions due to fears of the heavily mutated Omicron variant.

British tourists are advised to check the UK Government website and the Visit Portugal website for the latest travel restrictions.

It is not yet known how dangerous the Omicron variant could be, but some scientists believe it can spread more quickly.

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