Portugal extends the principle of reciprocity in covid vaccines for one month
The Government extended until the end of November the requirement for reciprocity in the recognition of vaccination and recovery certificates for the entry of third-party citizens by air into Portugal.
The measures “are in force from 00:00 on Monday, November 1, until 23.59 hours on November 30, 2021, and may be revised at any time depending on the evolution of the epidemiological situation”, announced the Ministry of Administration Internal (MAI) in a statement.
“The new order on air traffic rules related to the covid-19 disease pandemic maintains the recognition, in conditions of reciprocity and provided that they meet the necessary requirements, of vaccination and recovery certificates issued by third countries at intervals holders were administered vaccines approved by the European Medicines Agency (Janssen, AstraZeneca, Moderna, Pfizer), “referred to the statement, in which the MAI said that” the non-reciprocity in the recognition of the validity of the European digital certificate by third countries prevents the recognition of the certificates issued by those third countries”.
In the note, the MAI explains that “essential and non-essential travel will continue to be allowed for passengers from the Member States of the European Union and countries associated with the Schengen Area, Brazil, the USA, the United Kingdom and the countries and administrative regions whose epidemiological situation is in line “with the recommendations of the European Council, a list that now also includes Argentina, Bahrain, Colombia, the United Arab Emirates, Namibia and Peru.
“From other third countries, only essential journeys are allowed, and the transit or entry into Portugal of citizens for professional, study, family reunion, health or humanitarian reasons is considered to be allowed”, he explains. if in the note.
Regardless of the origin, Portugal also authorizes trips for those who have “proof of vaccination or recovery issued by third countries whose validation is recognized in Portugal and under reciprocal conditions”.
All citizens who intend to travel to Portugal by air, except for children under 12 years old, must present the EU Covid Digital Certificate or vaccination or recovery certificate granted by third countries and whose validity is recognized, or they must present proof of performance of molecular laboratory test by RT-PCR or rapid antigen test with negative result, performed within 72 or 48 hours prior to the time of shipment, respectively, announced the MAI.
Those who do not comply with these requirements will have to take a new test on arrival in the national territory, paying for it out of their pocket and waiting at the airport for the test result.
“Airlines must only allow the boarding of flights with destination or stopover in mainland Portugal upon presentation, at the time of departure, of the EU covid Digital Certificate or certificate issued by a third country, duly recognized, or with a negative result test, under penalty of incurring an infraction punishable by a fine of 500 to 2000 euros per passenger, “alerts the MAI.