Lisbon, May 13, 2021 (AFP) – The Portuguese government said on Thursday that the decision to lift travel restrictions imposed on British tourists to Portugal, especially those expected to attend the Champions League final in Porto, has not been taken yet.
“No decision has been taken,” Mariana Vieira da Silva, a spokesman for the executive authority, said after the cabinet meeting.
“Work is underway on flights from the United Kingdom, and once a decision is made, it will be informed,” he added.
Flights with Britain were suspended in January due to the spread of the pandemic, which is favored by the new variants. This suspension was lifted on April 16, but only for essential travel.
After a few months in which it ranked first in the number of infections relative to its population of 10 million, for several weeks, Portugal began on May 1 the final phase of the gradual lack of definition, without, at that time. Being, the outbreak of covid-19 produced.
On the British side, Portugal is already on the “green list”, which allows its residents to travel from May 17 to 12 countries and territories without having to quarantine upon their return.
This health improvement prompted UEFA to choose Portugal to host the Champions League final between Chelsea and Manchester City, which was originally supposed to happen in Istanbul, Turkey, but was excluded due to the pandemic.
A government spokeswoman said Estádio do Dragão, in Porto, would be able to receive a maximum of 12,000 spectators with pre-set seats, explaining that the removal of fans would be in accordance with a strict health protocol.
Vieira da Silva said those traveling to the final “will have to stay less than 24 hours in the national territory … and take mandatory tests before proceeding,” adding that in Portugal they would not be able to “contact the census.”
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