Passengers planning a trip to the autonomous region of Portugal, the regional islands, will have to perform a COVID-19 test before departure, as the regional authorities are now imposing the requirement, just like mainland Portugal.
According to Azores Airlines, by January 9, 2022, all passengers aged 12 and over on international flights to the Autonomous Region or beyond the Autonomous Region must present to the airline, prior to boarding, proof of the negative results of the COVID-19 test.
Only PCR and antigen tests are accepted for entry into the area. While the first can be taken in the 72 hours prior to arrival in the islands, the second must be taken in the last 48 hours.
“Until January 9, 2022, the presentation of a vaccine proof does not exempt the requirement to submit proof of a negative test result.“, Azores Airlines explains in a guide to travel to the area in the context of COVID-19.
Exemptions are also those who have previously contracted the corona virus and recovered from it by making antibodies. Children under the age of 12, regardless of their country of departure, are exempt from the obligation, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.
However, the pre-trip testing requirement does not apply to vaccinated and recovering patients arriving in the Portuguese mainland or Madeira region. However, they are required to perform a COVID-19 test upon arrival, within 24 hours, once in the Islands Islands.
Travelers who have not recovered or been vaccinated under the age of 12 are also exempt from the COVID-19 requirement upon arrival. Even those who present a negative test before departure are exempt from the obligation to test on arrival.
The document regarding the test results, before departure or upon arrival must be in Portuguese or English, and contain the following information
- Passenger identification
- Name of the laboratory where the test was performed with a certification score
- Methodology (PCR or antigen)
- Test date
- The negative result
Duty to check before leaving to enter Portugal was warned by the Portuguese authorities in late November against the background of the discovery of the omicron virus in South Africa. As of December 1, the obligation to present a negative test applies to all those who come, including those who have been fully vaccinated against the virus.
All travelers to the Portuguese mainland and regional islands must comply with the rules of mask wearing, physical distance and respiratory hygiene set by the Regional Health Authority.
>> Portugal is introducing new changes to its Golden Visa program, starting January 1st