The United Kingdom decided to add the Azores, on its “green list” for international travel, acknowledging the positive evolution of the fight against COVID’19 in the archipelago.
The British decision was communicated by letter to the President of the Government, José Manuel Bolieiro, by the Ambassador of the United Kingdom in Portugal, Christopher Sainty.
Effective August 30, it will not be necessary for anyone traveling to the Azores, from the United Kingdom, to be quarantined upon returning home, although travelers will be required to undergo a PCR test upon landing.
Besides the Azores, Switzerland, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Liechtenstein, and Lithuania were also added to the UK’s green list. All travelers arriving in the UK from those locations will be exempt from quarantine requirements.
Currently, the population of the Azores, estimated at 250.000, has exceeded 70% (71.2%) of fully vaccinated residents against the disease.
On the island of Santa Maria, the rate of people with complete vaccination is 80%, in São Miguel and in Terceira it is 70%, in Graciosa it is 77%, in São Jorge and in Pico 78%, Faial 74 %, 87% in Corvo, and 69% in Flores.
Recently, the Azores were recognized as the “Safest Destination in Europe for 2021” (European Safest Destination 2021), for its remarkable performance in fighting the pandemic.
The Azores now joins Madeira, Portugal’s other autonomous region, which was moved to the UK’s green list at the end of June. However, it was reported that Madeira is currently in danger of being removed from the UK’s green list. Lists, which determine travel restrictions and requirements, are updated every three weeks.
Mainland Portugal remains on the UK’s “amber list”.Fully vaccinated can enter Portugal without needing to quarantine. However, they must bring proof of vaccinations such as an EU digital Covid vaccination certificate, and must have been vaccinated at least 14 days before entering Portugal. Those fully vaccinated, don’t need to take a PCR test before travel. Those who are not fully vaccinated will need to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival.
In addition to bringing proof of vaccination, or proof of a negative PCR or antigen test if you are not yet fully vaccinated, you will need to fill out a Passenger Locator Card before you go to Portugal. You will also need to bring proof of a negative PCR or antigen test to show at the airport. Children under the age of 12 do not need to show a negative PCR test or have been vaccinated.
To enter the Azores, travelers will need to be subject to health screening on arrival, including presenting evidence of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure at the airport. Children under 18 are exempt from quarantining if they are travelling with a fully vaccinated adult.
Those with a temperature of 38ºC, with symptoms, may be required to take a further covid test and remain at the airport until receiving test results.
Those traveling from the US, are advised to check travel guidelines before booking, by visiting the United States Embassy in Portugal website which is updated daily.
Worldwide, Covid-19 has caused at least 4,461,431 deaths, out of among more than 213.79 million confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus that causes it, according to the most recent assessment by Agence France-Presse, based on official data.
In the last 24 hours the Azores diagnosed only 25 new cases of COVID’19 19 on the islands of São Miguel, Pico, Faial and São Jorge, with 12 people recovering from the disease, the Regional Health Authority reported.
Currently the archipelago registered 281 positive active cases: 242 in São Miguel, 15 in Terceira, 10 in Graciosa, 7 in Faial, 4 in Pico and 3 in São Jorge.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, 8,641 positive cases of COVID’19 were diagnosed in the Azores, of which 8,153 people have recovered and 41 have died.
From 31 December 2020 to 26 August, 163,227 people were vaccinated in the Azores with the first dose (69%) and 167,079 with full vaccination (70.6%), under the Regional Vaccination Plan.
In mainland Portugal, since March 2020, 17,689 people have died and 1,028,421 confirmed cases of infection have been recorded, according to data from the Directorate-General for Health.
PAJ/Staff/updated 08/29/2021
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