Portugal to reopen beaches next month
Portugal will reopen its beaches on June 6 with a limit on visitor numbers and strict social distancing measures in place.
The tourist board said extra supervision will be provided to ensure strict compliance with the new rules, but it claimed the social distancing measures wouldn’t have a ‘very significant impact’ on the enjoyment of Portuguese beaches as they are so extensive.
The planned reopening of beaches next month follows the reopening of museums and other cultural attractions such as monuments art galleries, palaces and churches this week.
Restaurants, cafés, patisseries, terraces, promenades and shops of up to 400 square metres have also opened this week.
Sailing clubs, golf courses, taxis, car rental firms and public transports have been operating since the start of the month.
Unlike neighbouring Spain, Portugal does not require visitors to quarantine, except for the Madeira islands, but the Department of Health said its ‘strict and rigorous’ health and safety measures will remain in force. These include, the obligatory use of masks, the continuation of two-metre social distancing and conditions for frequent disinfection of hands by employees, visitors, customers, and of surfaces and spaces with imposed capacity limitations.
In restaurants and similar establishments, ventilation and frequent air renewal will be given priority and all decorative elements will be removed from tables. Customers are advised to book in advance and payments should preferably be made through contactless processes.
Turismo de Portugal has created a ‘Clean & Safe’ stamp, which distinguishes tourist activities that ensure compliance with hygiene and cleanliness requirements for the prevention and control of Covid-19 and other possible infections, in accordance with the recommendations of the Portuguese Department of Health.
This stamp covers hotels, local accommodation, tour operators, restaurant and catering companies.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026