Portugal requires COVID-19 test at airports for non-resident foreigners

Xinhua
06 Jul 2020, 21:48 GMT+10

LISBON, July 6 (Xinhua) -- The Portuguese government on Monday started to demand body temperature checks and COVID-19 tests at the country's airports for foreigners without residence in Portugal or from outside the European Union (EU).

According to the decree, the measures apply to flights from all sources identified as having an epidemiological risk, including the Portuguese-speaking countries.

Only non-resident foreigners who already brought proof of the negative RT-PCR molecular test, or who agree to take the exam at the airports, will be allowed to enter Portugal. They would have to pay by themselves for the tests.

In case of refusal, the airline that transported them would be responsible for paying for their return, in addition to a fine of 1,000 euros (1,130 U.S. dollars) per passenger.

"Urgent cases, duly substantiated, may be excused. The infraction will be communicated to ANAC (National Civil Aviation Authority), which will instruct the respective administrative offense process and apply the fines and assess the exceptional circumstances that may be mitigating," explained the decree.

Portuguese citizens and foreigners residing in Portugal will be subject to temperature checks, and, if justified, will be tested at the airport. They are obliged to remain confined in their homes until they receive the results.

The decree applies to Portuguese terminals managed by the Portugal Airports (ANA), with the exception of Madeira and Azores airports.

Portugal recorded six more COVID-19 deaths in the last 24 hours, bringing the tally to 1,620. The total number of confirmed cases in the country rose by 232 to 44,129.

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