The holiday island of Madeira is reminding UK visitors it is still welcoming tourists - despite fears over the new Omicron Covid variant.
To help reduce the financial burden of testing for tourists heading back to the UK, Madeira is offering free pre-departure tests to everyone before flying home, as well as a rapid antigen test taken every seven days whilst in the destination.
Madeira already requires visitors to present a vaccination certificate, proof of recovery from Covid-19 or a negative test to enter the destination.
But a further review of Covid restrictions will be announced on Wednesday (December 15).
Current regulations for visitors to Madeira:
- No Fit to Fly PCR or lateral flow test required for vaccinated travellers or those with a medical document certifying they have recovered from Covid-19 issued within the last 90 days (note: mainland Portugal has different procedures)
- All to fill out form on Madeirasafe.com before departure
- NHS proof of vaccination (app or printed QR code) accepted
- For unvaccinated travellers, rapid antigen test to be taken prior to departure or on arrival at Madeira Airport, free of charge
- Negative rapid antigen tests taken every seven days to enter some establishments is recommended but not mandatory; for specific events, vaccination passports as well as tests are required
- All to take a pre-departure rapid antigen test in the two days before flying back to the UK in accordance with new UK regulations – this is free of charge and can be booked at various health centres around Madeira; followed by a Day 2 test once back in the UK.
More information can be found on the Visit Madeira website.
For more stories from where you live, visit InYourArea.
