Tourists and locals alike will soon be able to ditch the iconic accessory. Three months after France, Portugal will end the obligation to wear masks on public transport, the government announced on August 25. The measure was effective from 2020 to combat Covid-19.
“Taking into account the favorable evolution of the epidemic and the stable trend of the number of new cases of Covid-19, it has been decided to stop wearing a mandatory mask in transport.”The Minister of Health of Portugal, Marta Temido, announced this at the press conference.
The new measure will enter into force after its publication by the president of the republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Souza. It will not only apply to buses and trains, but also to air transport, taxis and pharmacies, where wearing a mask was still mandatory. However, the latter will always be used in hospitals and nursing homes.
Several successive relaxation measures
Portugal is a good student in the race to inoculate against Covid-19. The country has one of the highest rates in the world, with 86.5% of the population having received at least two injections. In addition, “Mortality related to Covid-19 has a decreasing trend since the end of July”.added Marta Temido.
The end of mandatory wearing of masks in public transport is followed by some relaxation measures. From 1 July 2022, travelers entering Portugal, including the Azores and Madeira, are no longer required to present a negative Covid-19 screening test or vaccination certificate. Already in April, the “Passenger Locator” form, which must be completed before departure to Portugal, was abolished. For the greatest assistance to travelers.
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Source: Le Figaro
