The decision to lift restrictions on British tourist travel to Portugal, expected especially to attend the Champions League final in Porto, has not yet been taken, the Portuguese government said on Thursday.
“No decision has been taken,” declared Mariana Vieira da Silva, spokeswoman for the executive, after the council of ministers.
“On flights from the United Kingdom, work is underway and as soon as there is a decision, it will be communicated,” he added.
Flights with Great Britain were suspended in January due to the expansion of the epidemic, favored by new variants. This suspension was lifted on April 16, but only for essential travel.
After a few months in which it held the top positions for several weeks by number of infections with respect to its population, of 10 million inhabitants, Portugal began on May 1 the last stage of a gradual deconfinement, without, for now, having been produced outbreaks of covid-19.
On the British side, Portugal is already on the “green list”, which allows its nationals to travel from May 17 to twelve countries and territories without having to quarantine upon return.
This health improvement led UEFA to choose Portugal to host the Champions League final between Chelsea and Manchester City, which was originally supposed to take place in Istanbul, but which has been ruled out due to the covid-19 pandemic.
The Dragon Stadium in Porto could receive a maximum of 12,000 spectators with places decided in advance, said the government spokeswoman, specifying that the transfer of fans will be done following a strict sanitary protocol.
Those who will travel to the final “must be less than 24 hours in national territory … and have mandatory tests carried out before taking the plane,” explained Vieira da Silva, adding that in Portugal they will not be able to “have contact with the population.” (GG) (AFP)