Portugal has reopened to foreign visitors after shutting down during the coronavirus pandemic and there is no quarantine requirement for visitors entering from the U.S.. The country began reopening museums, monuments and palaces on May 18th. Further restrictions were lifted on June 1st, with shops, restaurants, bars, cinemas, theaters, auditoriums and concert halls allowed to reopen. Public transport is now running once again, and beaches reopened on June 6th.
Many hotels began reopening in mid-May, and others are being phased in throughout June. The remaining hotels are scheduled to reopen by July 2nd.
TAP Air Portugal restarted flights to North America on June 4th, with flights twice a week between Newark and Lisbon. Additional service will be added in July to Miami and Toronto, and new routes are being launched between Boston and the Azores Islands.
Portugal was not as severely impacted by the virus as some of its European neighbors, as it had just under 36,000 confirmed cases and 1,500 deaths. The government was quick to react to the pandemic and contain its spread. As a result, it has been among the first countries in Europe to reopen.
Portugal has been proactive in developing the Clean & Safe program to provide visitors with comfort and assurance that their safety and well being is being addressed by hotels, transport companies and other service providers across the tourism sector. Hotels and service providers who earn Clean & Safe certification assure visitors that they are complying with the hygiene and cleanliness requirements that have been outlined by the Dept. of Health. To date over 8,000 hotels and other tourism-related companies have earned the Clean & Safe stamp of approval.
For more information on the Clean & Safe program, click here.
Portugal has long been a hidden gem in Europe, offering everything that travelers look for in a European vacation, including stunning historical sites, rich culture and heritage, cosmopolitan cities, charming towns & villages, pristine beaches, a vibrant food scene, and world class restaurants. We can help you plan and book the perfect Portugal vacation!
Photo credit: Turismo de Portugal / Photo of panoramic view of Lisbon and São Jorge Castle
For assistance with your travel plans, including hotel and private tour reservations, click here.