With summer approaching and temperatures rising, beach lovers in Portugal will no longer have to adhere to the last two years’ bathing season rules. The Portuguese government has not renewed the covid-19 beach restrictions such as the mandatory use of masks in beach bars, social distancing, and a ban on certain sports, reports CNN Portugal.
This year, the Portuguese government is recommending common sense, without mandatory covid-19 restrictions. For the last two years, people breaking covid-19 restrictions on beaches could face a fine between 50 and 100 euros, while fines for companies could reach 500 to 1000 euros.
The Federação de Concessionários de Praia has congratulated the end of covid-19 restrictions on Portuguese beaches, stating “Now we can work at 100%, we can even organize events, like wedding parties… Our beaches are safe, we want to receive beachgoers and tourists safety and give the country a could image”.
Let’s take a look at the current state of covid-19 restrictions on beaches in Portugal.
Covid-19: Do you have to wear a mask on beaches in Portugal?
In the last two years, beach goers needed to wear a mark when using facilities and infrastructure such as beach bars, restaurants, and bathrooms. This is no longer required, however, some facilities have individually decided that employees will still wear masks.
Covid-19: Do you have to social distance on beaches in Portugal?
Beach goers no longer have to social distance in the sand or while swimming in the ocean. For the last two years, a 1.5 meter social distancing measure was in place.
Sun umbrellas also no longer need to be placed at least three meters from each other to combat covid-19. Beach goers can place their sun umbrellas wherever they please, as well as companies renting these out. Groups of 10 or more people can also now place their sun umbrellas next to other each, no matter the distance. However, some sun umbrella rental companies will keep the three meter distance in place out of choice.
Covid-19: Can you play sports on beaches in Portugal?
The covid-19 restrictions surrounding beach sports have also been removed. Surf classes are allowed to resume without a limitation on the number of participants. Other sports are also now allowed without restriction as in the past two years they were prohibited when the beach was too busy. Services such as massages on the beach are also allowed without restrictions.
According to Sic Noticias, Portugal remains the country in the European Union with the highest number of new cases of covid-19 per one million population, as well as the second in the world.
Entering Portugal: Covid Restrictions & Current Measures
