Portugal Opens Doors To Tourists From Select Countries

by Vaishnavi Venkataraman
Portugal Opens Doors To Tourists From Select Countries

Portugal is planning to open doors to tourists. However, tourists from the U.S., Canada, Brazil, and other countries with the Portuguese language will only be permitted entry. In addition, those from Schengen countries, excluding Italy and Spain, will also be permitted to enter.

This is the first phase of reopening in Portugal. Travel restrictions are expected to ease out as the number of cases drop. However, other safety measures will continue to remain in place. Maintaining two meters distance, wearing mask at all times and additional sanitation is advised. Besides, a host of places are also open now. These include:

-Public transit
-Stores
-Bookshops
-Libraries
-Restaurants
-Cultural sites
-Boating or nautical activities
-Outdoor sports
-Golf courses
-Museums
-Zoos
-Aquariums
-Terraces and promenades

Alo Read: Portugal Visa for Indians, Indian Passport: Types, Application Fee, Form, Requirements And Visa On Arrival

Religious places are also open now, while cinemas, theaters, concert halls, and shopping centers resume business starting today. Beaches will reopen on 6 June. All these places have reopened with social distancing rules in place. In addition, testing and quarantine measures will also be in place especially on the Azores and Madeira archipelagos, according to Visit Portugal.

Also Read: The World’s 10 Most Beautiful Islands To Add To Your Bucket List

The other European states planning to reopen tourism are Germany, Austria, France, Norway, Poland, Croatia and Slovenia. Of these countries, Germany, Austria, France, Croatia, like Portugal will allow entry to all EU countries from 15 June 2020. Norway opened its borders to select countries on May 12th. Poland will open its borders on June 12th. Slovenia opened its borders on May 15th despite a few infections still being detected in the country.

However, each of these countries come with their own unique set of restrictions. While some are following the route of a compulsory quarantine, others are allowing restricted travel.

Australia and New Zealand

Australia is taking gradual steps to resume a normal life. The country has announced a three-step plan for reopening, in which the third step includes the creation of a ‘trans-Tasman bubble’, which will allow travel between Australia and New Zealand.

This ‘travel bubble’ is nothing but a travel corridor between the two, by which it will allow people from both the countries to travel through each other’s borders, thereby reviving tourism. As both countries contribute to each other’s tourism significantly, the tourism sector is expected to get a big boost.

As per Australian Prime Minister Morrison’s recent remarks, Australia will hopefully reach its third phase in July, which may include the trans-Tasman travel. So we will just have to wait and watch.

Picture Credit: Wikimedia

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