Good news re flying to PT
 

Yesterday the government changed the rules (according to the press).

I haven't seen this reflected on the official sites yet (understandably) but hope that it will happen asap. As soon as I hear officially... I'm buying tickets. With the 'tidal wave' of infection rates, with gobsmacking numbers daily, I don't want to commit till I hear officially the the digital vax cert is the only thing needed.

We know several fully vaxxed people who have had Covid, all have had minor cold-like symptoms. I attach a message from a friend below.

This is a bit of good news for me re travel, and more importantly the success of the vax programme re-opening doors...

https://www.portugalresident.com/portugal-drops-demands-for-holders-of-covid-digital-certificates-to-present-negative-tests-as-well/

Portugal drops demands for holders of Covid Digital Certificates to present negative tests as well

Jon

Message
Jon I fear now we are dispensing with all covid measures that many more people will get covid.. In mums care home all the elderly especially those with underlying health issues have recently got it and none have had any serious issues which bodes well for everyone else.

Re: Good news re flying to PT
 

Official announcement here : Comunicado do Conselho de Ministros de 3 de fevereiro de 2022

But as no effective date / time included there and as it's not yet published on the DRE I guess the airlines may not be implementing that right at the moment.

Re: Good news re flying to PT
 

Thanks RE... That confirms it. The all important implementation date is what we need. I saw on another government site (cant remember which, perhaps SEF site) that, the next 'rule-change date' is planned for the 10th. But that was said well before this new announcement.

Ive mentioned a few times that with the tidal wave of hundreds of thousands of reported cases daily (many more unreported) travel restrictions are pointless.

The bigger problem for me is the large number of flight crews, quarantined, unable to work.

I'll keep my eyes peeled for the official implementation date and post it, if someone gets it first, please share. Note the official announcement, not the press one, please

Jon

Re: Good news re flying to PT
 

I think I should change the 1st 2 words in title of the thread :)

This site which is referred to in the official communications was updated 3 Feb ... BUT ... Does not include the announcement, it still says a vax cert is needed! I suspect any new rule will come in on the 10th. Which is a shame for us as we were hoping to go on the 8th. Which is an important date for us.

As we mentioned previously no implementation date has been broadcast. So we remain in limbo

https://www.visitportugal.com/en/con...ented-portugal
Jon

Re: Good news re flying to PT
 

If you want the title changed let me know because I can do that for you.

Rosemary

Re: Good news re flying to PT
 

This morning's news on the radio contained a reference to this - the President has signed off on it so it's now effective.

Re: Good news re flying to PT
 

Thanks again RE.

It may take a day or 2 before the message gets to the check in desks & they stop asking for the cert. Lets hope the press jump in now on this to help that. If so we are going on the 8th!

Jon
PS there isnt an implementation date mentioned, does the signature mean its active immediately? I would have expected a splurge in the press if so..as you know we sign travel stuff off by the government, but it applies after 48 hours (or other)

Re: Good news re flying to PT
 

I'm not now able to ascertain with absolute certainty exactly what the current state of play is.

The radio report this morning gave it as now in force. Most other sources that have an update on the matter are also saying passengers no longer have to present negative tests on arrival (present tense, not future).

SIC noticias has it that EU-wide, as of Tuesday passengers with a digital certificate travelling within the EU cease to be automatically subject to any extraordinary restrictions, including negative tests and quarantines but that this won't be implemented in Portugal until Wednesday 9th (member states having flexibility about when to implement). The Portuguese date was confirmed to them by ANA, the airports authority.

I haven't found any other reference to 9th Feb but given the source I'd say trust in that.

Apologies for the fuzziness. I've just remembered why I have previously made no attempt to keep abreast of current requirements.

Re: Good news re flying to PT
 

[size=13px]Thanks RE for all the research.

We still dont have a confirmed date but Ive always assumed that in PT that the change will be implemented according to the old timetable (as I mentioned earlier)

Here it is from Reuters
It did not say when the decision would take effect, but the rules now in force were meant to last until Feb. 9.

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/portugal-drop-covid-test-requirement-arriving-passengers-2022-02-03/

This lack of concrete info is frustrating and having had problems with travel rules previously, I'm not making any decision till I see it officially.

I'm surprised that there isn't a clear communication and then a splurge in the press.

​​​​​​... And then all the check in staff are informed.

I suppose we have to wait a bit more... But I wish this was announced more professionally....

Jon
​​​​​​[/size]

Re: Good news re flying to PT
 

It seems this will be effective from tomorrow, Monday 7 February. https://sicnoticias.pt/coronavirus/d...segunda-feira/

Re: Good news re flying to PT
 

And here is the law to support it https://dre.pt/dre/detalhe/decreto-l...2022-178716209

Re: Good news re flying to PT
 

Thanks Arcnet Good news after all....:) Rosemary thanks for the offer of changing the title, but I was kidding, hence the smiley.

I'm looking forward to seeing this in the official gazette and then some publicity ... So that everyone is aware, especially the check in staff!. (Before I commit to buying tickets)

​​​​Thanks

​​​​​​Jon


​​​​​

Re: Good news re flying to PT
 

We've heard various days this week for tests to be lifted so no idea which is correct. What I do know is we're flying back on Thursday and Jet2 still requiring "in person test" or no boarding. If their site hasn't changed by Wednesday morning, will take the tests anyway as airline check-in requirements don't always match true position.

Re: Good news re flying to PT
 

The definitive answer is the PT government has confirmed that the change will be effective from 00:00 hrs on 7 February, i.e. the day following the publication on dre.pt [see the link at post #11].

To be fair to Jet2, as of today, tests are still required so the earliest I would expect their site to be updated is tomorrow. In the past Jet2 has been slow to update and I agree, it is prudent to turn up at the airport with a [unnecessary] test rather than risk denied boarding albeit in such circumstances one would have a valid claim under UK261 (as it’s now known since Brexit) exposing the airline to a £350 compensation claim per passenger.

Hopefully, gov.uk will be updated tomorrow and I shall be badgering Jet2 if they don’t update their site as I’m flying with them on Friday.

Re: Good news re flying to PT
 

Not just gov.uk, SEF haven't updated their site either, still saying until 9th February tests required but no mention of change on 10th. As I type this, I've been in Jet2 telephone queue now for 10 mins.

Re: Good news re flying to PT
 

This is the problem. I believe that tests will be lifted, but the communication has been poor from the government. An actual date needs to be confirmed, on the official government sites.

Ive seen/had problems previously from people reading a press release re border controls and making travel decisions. They arent always correct. That's why I will only commit when I have seen the official communication. Plus the message has to get out to the airline staff (especially check in). So taking the tests maybe 'safe rather than sorry' as you said

Good luckJon

Re: Good news re flying to PT
 

That was the original date the current restrictions were due to expire. Today's publication of the change passed last week has superseded that with effect from 7 February. I doubt Jet2 will change anything until .gov.uk is updated.

Re: Good news re flying to PT
 

The effective date has been confirmed on the official PT government site. Article 4 of the decree states "O presente decreto-lei entra em vigor no dia seguinte ao da sua publicação." which translated means "This decree-law enters into force on the day following its publication.", i.e. 7 February. gov.uk is not going to be updated until the change is actually in force because that site only represents the "current" rules.

Re: Good news re flying to PT
 

Isn't https://dre.pt/dre/detalhe/resolucao...2022-178716210 what defines the new rules? It also takes effect tomorrow (07/02/22) but because to refers to and changes older rules it's too hard to read with a foggy brain.

Re: Good news re flying to PT
 

Just to add, anyone travelling to PT from tomorrow (07/02/22) not fully vaccinated and without a Covid-19 Recovery Certificate who is utilising an antigen test to enter must ensure that is it completed within 24 hours and not 48 hours as this reduction in validity is also included in the same regulation change. A more important reason, perhaps, for airlines and gov.uk to update their respective websites as soon as possible.

Re: Good news re flying to PT
 

Yes this is NOT the best, clearest presentation and planning around of new rules :( . We've done quite a bit of 'deep diving' to get here, on this thread, but for sure airline co's wont react immediately, without some publicity, and for UK based travelers the fgov site is updated. I cant see most people digging into e.g the link you added, Sic Noticias etc in Portuguese to get info.

In our case we have cancelled plans to go tomorrow. It means a 4am start, the flight prices have shot up (nearly doubled since Saturday) and even though we could get an antigen test today, ('just in case') its more cost, hassle etc.

Since everyone is expecting new regs to be implemented Feb 10 I suspect/hope this will have been decided and widely/clearly communicated by then.

Jon

Re: Good news re flying to PT
 

Bit of an aside here but it does relate to either lack of clarity or carelessness.

When the last set of measures was imposed on 1st December, it was announced that all failures to comply would be sanctioned with fines - between 300 and 800 euros for the passenger and between 20,000 and 40,000 per passenger for the airline carrying them.

Last week it was reported that 2,848 passengers travelling with 41 airlines arrived without negative tests during the period concerned. Given the level of fines on the carriers, I was quite surprised that many had managed to board. Doesn't inspire a huge amount of confidence in the airlines geting it right even when the new regs are implemented.

Re: Good news re flying to PT
 

easyJet has updated their site which now shows that a pre-departure test is no longer required to enter PT. Neither gov.uk nor Jet2 have updated theirs yet.

Re: Good news re flying to PT
 

From Diario da Noticias ... https://www.dn.pt/sociedade/obrigato...-14565520.html

Re: Good news re flying to PT
 

Jet2 has now updated their website for entry into PT "Provide proof of a negative COVID-19 in-person test result or proof of full vaccination"

Re: Good news re flying to PT
 

This has been handled so badly ... And if airlines, and their teams, haven't got the message, how can the the traveller? Airlines need to get less obstructions to flying = business for them

It's now here - much more in the public domain. This site is referred to on the official sites

https://www.visitportugal.com/en/con...ths%20of%20age

Now the message needs to get out .... Properly!!
What a mess...
Jon

Re: Good news re flying to PT
 

I cannot believe that the UK Gov site is still not up to date this morning on the entry requirements to Portugal.

Re: Good news re flying to PT
 

It's now been updated but not completely correct as it is still showing 48 hours for the antigen test when that has been reduced to 24 hours.

Re: Good news re flying to PT
 

i fcam in to lisbon last night from Dublin,i took a antigen test at 11am and got neg result at the airport.flew withTAPat boarding i was as am i double vac just asked showed nothing,on arrivalat lisbom first port of call was a barricade ofstaff who asked to see the double vac cert,if you had one you were given a blue arm band,on to passport control asked for passport asked for id card thats it did not ask to see antegen result did not ask for passenger locator form NADA.ON TO ARRIVAL HALL 2 STAF WITH TO LARGE SIGN BOARDS ON THE LEFT BOARD IT SAID IF YOU HAVE A BLUE WRIST BAND GO LEFT AND OUT ,RIGHT HAND BOARD SAID NO BLUE WRIST BAND GO RIGHT.I WOULD SAY A THIRD OF MY FLIGHT WENT RIGHT.PROALLY NEVER TO BE SEEN AGAIN.soall that trouble to book a test in Dublin waste of time,on top of that i lost a shed load at the Dublin racing festival

Re: Good news re flying to PT
 

Updated on gov.uk now

Re: Good news re flying to PT
 

Has anyone flown into Faro yet? Just wondering if it will be like the experience of "santaanita" above.
Mary

Re: Good news re flying to PT
 

I am tomorrow and will report back.

Re: Good news re flying to PT
 

Yes, flew Manchester to Faro today, Jet2. Manchester security took half an hour in queue as usual. Arrival at Faro along with other flights so a bit slow but not too bad, security inspected PLF and Vaccinations certs before we got to manual passport control, electronic readers not in use. Only problem was taxi driver farted all the way to the airport.

Re: Good news re flying to PT
 

Thank heaven for small mercies!! Thanks for the laugh I wasn't expecting the last sentence 😂😂

Re: Good news re flying to PT
 

I travelled MAN/FAO with Jet2 this morning. Check-in was swift and only Passports were requested to be checked. Agent presumed that we were vaccinated and simply asked if we were double or triple jabbed. Boarding passes were marked accordingly. Security went swiftly too; only 20 minutes and that included having the contents of one of the bags examined and tested. At the gate, agents were checking those passengers who had not had their docs checked at check-in. Passports and boarding passes were checked at the gate and upon boarding the aircraft the passes were checked again.

A one hour delay then ensued apparently due to a passenger being denied boarding at the gate; he had a bag in the hold that needed to be offloaded. Gate staff must have spotted something that check-in had not!!

Made some time up during the flight and arrived at FAO 35 minutes late. Security was checking vaccination certificates immediately before passport control. PLF’s were not asked for nor checked. Immigration was swift as was baggage reclaim. All this compensated for the initial delay and we were back on schedule.

Re: Good news re flying to PT
 

I’m flying Jet2 from Stanstead to Faro next Monday. Although you said the PLF was not checked on arrival the airline is stating it needs to be filled in. Is this just a digi form on your phone or did you also print it out? I’m double vacced and have the latest cert already printed out. Thanks, Richard

Re: Good news re flying to PT
 

I believe the PLF is required by the PT authorities and ought to be checked on departure and again upon arrival although in my case it was not. Here is the link to complete one and submit it within 4 days before arrival in PT https://portugalcleanandsafe.pt/en/p...r-locator-card. You will then receive an email attaching a PDF copy in Portuguese and English. It will be password protected with your Passport number and you can either print it off or keep it on your phone to show electronically, if asked.

Re: Good news re flying to PT
 

Our PLFs were checked at Manchester, along with vaccination certificates and again at Faro by security staff in queue before reaching passport control. We always print everything, quicker to check than phones which slow everyone down.

Re: Good news re flying to PT
 

Me too.

Re: Good news re flying to PT
 

Yes I always print out everything and use the phone copy as a backup.