Just watched "How To Go On Holiday This Summer" on Channel 4 and the Industry experts seem to think that there will be a race to complete a "Air Bridge" with the UK and secure the British £, which they say is the largest payer for many countries that rely on tourism.

The thoughts on the programme were that flights (without any restrictions) to The Algarve should be secured before July.

Hopefully, that'll be the case! 

Thanks but on what basis are you saying this, what have you seen, read or heard? As far as I can find all the reports are as they were, I can’t find anything suggesting such a prediction, I wish I could!

https://algarvedailynews.com/news/18151-a-country-at-three-speeds-algarve-to-be-on-state-of-alert-from-1st-of-july-whilst-lisbon-remains-divided" rel="nofollow - https://algarvedailynews.com/news/18151-a-country-at-three-speeds-algarve-to-be-on-state-of-alert-from-1st-of-july-whilst-lisbon-remains-divided

That also confirmed in this article which pretty much sets out what the situation is and what the wrangling is about. But, the best we can hope for if all the ducks line up, is the air bridge or no 14 day quarantine will be required for those travelling out from 6th July.

Makes me laugh that you have to QT coming back to the UK where you are at greater risk than where you’ve come from! Crazy.

https://www.portugalresident.com/worst-week-in-terms-of-cases-sees-portugal-in-desperate-diplomatic-battle-over-british-tourists/" rel="nofollow - https://www.portugalresident.com/worst-week-in-terms-of-cases-sees-portugal-in-desperate-diplomatic-battle-over-british-tourists/

I read it somewhere today but now can't find the link to it.

Announcement delayed until 'the end of the week'.

How will the authorities know people have not given false information on their form? Suppose a tourist to UK does not have a mobile phone? (In some countries there as as many as 15% of the adult population of do not.)

For most UK residents they will already have your address from the passports database and API data you must provide  when checking in for your flight.

There are some idiots about.

https://www.portugalresident.com/police-break-up-two-illegal-parties-in-lagos-and-albufeira/" rel="nofollow - https://www.portugalresident.com/police-break-up-two-illegal-parties-in-lagos-and-albufeira/

Lets hope the UK Government change the light to Amber this week.

Fingers remain crossed as I am due to fly to UK for a short visit on 20th July. There is no option for me to go via Seville! I suspect argument and disagreement in high places about this. Some no doubt believe that it's a sledgehammer to crack a nut, others are terrified of getting the blame for introducing a new plague into UK should someone bring it back from abroad.

Various news media report this morning that the new 'rules' may come into effect on Monday next, which infers a statement being made today or tomorrow.

If this is true what a waste of time and money from Government with all the rhetoric Over the past few days and weeks that counts for nothing.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-53252096" rel="nofollow - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-53252096

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-53261752" rel="nofollow - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-53261752

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-53283375" rel="nofollow - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-53283375

Still hasn't been announced by UK Govt but given how badly they have handled this entire situation it doesn't surprise me.

Sad day for Portugal

https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-full-list-of-countries-exempt-from-covid-19-travel-quarantine-revealed-12020243" rel="nofollow - https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-full-list-of-countries-exempt-from-covid-19-travel-quarantine-revealed-12020243

And Greece is on there as well. As you say, joke. In fact how can anyone treat this as credible? It’s a farce.

The Faroe Islands are on the list, though. I'm packing my speedos as I type.

Major disaster for the tourist business here and also for my planned trip to UK at the end of this month, unless Northern Ireland Government announces something different very quickly.

Local media reports that around 40% of restaurants are already considering filing for insolvency.

The obvious work around for English determined to go to Portugal without having to go into quarantine upon return is to go to France, Belgium, Holland or Germany and use their airlines. They consider it safe to come here.

Or fly to Spain and make your way by road from there.

All this has the trappings of a police state ruled by fear.

Do a google image search 'your papers please' and see some of what is circulating especially in the USA.

Enough of this. I am going to a pub now.

The latest covid19 cases per 100,000 in the UK is 418 and in Portugal it is less and in the Algarve it is minute. So Portugal is a safer place Covid wise than the UK

Go here for statistics. 

https://www.statista.com/statistics/1110187/coronavirus-incidence-europe-by-country/" rel="nofollow - https://www.statista.com/statistics/1110187/coronavirus-incidence-europe-by-country/

   

the little scottish pratt behind the lectern on my tv has finally got something right .. People jumping on planes to Faro cannot be infected by a history lesson ... but they can be easily killed by a virus rapidly re-infecting the region .. In my view, we are going to see a big new spike in cases thanks to the Costa government`s incompetence ..

The utter stupidity of having temperature testing at Faro airport ... when all the clean customers can then mix with infected people coming by road from the north .. is beyond my feeble understanding ..  can anyone explain this (but not in gaelic, please) ...

Sarcasm apart this article just about covers it...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-53288080" rel="nofollow - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-53288080

https://algarvedailynews.com/news/18179-decision-made-portugal-left-off-uk-safe-travel-list-lisbon-to-blame" rel="nofollow - https://algarvedailynews.com/news/18179-decision-made-portugal-left-off-uk-safe-travel-list-lisbon-to-blame

My neighbour said yesterday that beach was very busy here and everyone was speaking Spanish. They can now drive over the border with no checks whatsoever. The infection rate in Spain is higher than UK, 539.1 according to that statistics source. Spain is safe to go to according to UK Government.

Either everyone must be 'protected ' all the time or we must accept a risk. And as I have said before, there are other things to catch and get ill from.  I don't see any mention of these.

This takes me back to the good old days of pub discussions when no one really knew much about the topic in hand.  It gave scope for statements like "it's a well known fact that..." and "a bloke told me he had heard from another bloke...". 

Carry on. Hugely ammusing.

"Uk had dropped 48% over the month and Portugal has only reduced 2%"

UK dropped from a very large number, Portugal from a much smaller number. Anyway,  it's academic now. It will be interesting to know how many will be on the nine flights due in from the UK today. A total of 36 flights (excluding those from Lisbon) are due in today.

Yes that is true... But then again Farage was in the US and then went to the pub yesterday breaking the rules... Nothing will happen of course...

The last proposal from Augusto Santos Silva was to quarantine just the flights leaving Lisbon...

Ah well we shall see what will happen. Spain had a big outbreak in Catalunia and because of that they were downgraded to Amber by the Belgium Government. Will the same apply from London? I doubt it too many interests behind it... Just a shame that Stanley don't have a house in The Algarve in that case the problem would be sorted by now...

I believe 'biosecure venue' is the term for major sporting events such as the Champions league or indeed the Test Matches starting this week vs West Indies.

Players, officials and media persons will travel separately and be completely isolated from the unwashed (are they not anyway?) so as to ensure the infection does not travel.

Spectators will of course not be permitted. (I suspect not permited at any sporting event for very many weeks, if not months, anywhere.)

I read this morning that a case of bubonic plague has surfaced in China. Those who know your history will be aware of the consequences of that when it spreads.

Hi Cubsur,Fnas are already allowed in very small numbers in Denmark and from Septmeber they will be allowed in Holland too providing they keep the 1.5 meters distance in the grounds and they won't be any chanting allowed a barrel of laughs...

On the other hand let's see if any reaction to the outbreaks and lockdowns that are taking place in Spain,i pretty much doubt it too many interests involved...

On a letter that was passed on to Sky News Swissport together with a healthcare company offered to test passengers at the airport it will cost but i think that is an avenue that should be persued!

In UK such tests were said to cost £140, so for a family of four coming on holiday that's a considerable extra expense.

If one reads below the headlines, it seems that scientists are suggesting that the current restrictions on 'normal' life could be in place for a year, even 18 months. Then add the usual winter influenza outbreaks into the mix. This may mean that, for example, wearing masks could and 'social distancing' could become permanent.

As for fans at sports events, a ban on chanting is on par with the logic that said people in UK could attend church but not sing hymns. If you cannot feel safe in the house of your god(s) then there is truly no hope.

https://www.portugalresident.com/non-portuguese-and-foreigners-without-residency-permits-face-covid-testing-at-airports-from-saturday/?fbclid=IwAR1Ur-Cq8C3Ccc54QxOsxo_1TAtux2j_JVS_H2jU3dyRIKPA34_NhoWU33w" rel="nofollow - https://www.portugalresident.com/non-portuguese-and-foreigners-without-residency-permits-face-covid-testing-at-airports-from-saturday/?fbclid=IwAR1Ur-Cq8C3Ccc54QxOsxo_1TAtux2j_JVS_H2jU3dyRIKPA34_NhoWU33w

Indeed! Something else to throw everyone into a panic and generate more headlines that will be seen as gospel.

I shall be clutching my residencia firmly just in case!

That report is worthy of Professor Stanley Unwin.

How does "deep fundamold" translate?

http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-portugal-britain-idUKKBN2482VT%20" rel="nofollow - https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-portugal-britain-idUKKBN2482VT

BBC got it wrong yesterday!

http://www.portugalresident.com/bbc-mistakenly-tells-brits-they-have-to-quarantine-on-arrival-in-portugal/" rel="nofollow - https://www.portugalresident.com/bbc-mistakenly-tells-brits-they-have-to-quarantine-on-arrival-in-portugal/

Fact checking is obviously no longer even a function of such a respected news organ. The original announcement by Portugal's government did not specify which countries were on the list.

Al this chopping and changing will possibly not help this summer. People cannot hang on until the last minute before having to change plans.

People can wait to book holidays.

Covid cases per 100,000

Algarve - 142 - Mr Costa's tweet July 3

Scotland - 28 - Scottish Government daily briefing July 8

So those returning to Scotland must quarantine for 14 days.

Also Spain including the islands.

In Ireland we have total of 12 in Hospital for the entire country as of today !!

The percentages are minute. 99,95% of the Algarve populace doesn't have it.

I will make a bet that there is a higher percentage of something else out there that apparently is now of no concern.

It's the constant changing of laws, rules, guidance etc that is problematic.

If this particular virus is potentially so deadly (what are we not being told?), then there should be no talk of air bridges or quarantines. ALL TRAVEL, national and international, should be banned until it goes away or can be vaccinated against.

But no government will ever have the willingness or ability to impose a 24/7 curfew. So let's learn to live with it.

Well, I don't understand how to write a link it seems, sorry!

[Moderator Edit - the website address contains errors (...ugal?) so it would not have worked anyway. I cannot find the intended page at https://www.theportugalnews.com" rel="nofollow - https://www.theportugalnews.com .]

Some browsers eg Chrome will add a link automatically when it detects http:// or https://

If yours does not, highlight the text with your mouse or however it's done on a mobile device, click or tap the 'globe' symbol (the one to the left of the tree symbol) which will will open a new window called Hyperlink Properties with the link ready. Check it correctly says http:// or https:// before clicking OK.

The clickable link will then be seen within your post as above.

Thank you moderator, let's try again. Look at this video from Mallorca, sure we want more tourism in the Algarve? 

https://postal.pt/video/2020-07-13-Centenas-de-turistas-provocam-desacatosnas-Ilhas-Baleares.-Video-mostra-turistas-a-pularem-sobre-viaturas - https://postal.pt/video/2020-07-13-Centenas-de-turistas-provocam-desacatosnas-Ilhas-Baleares.-Video-mostra-turistas-a-pularem-sobre-viaturas

Strange, in the preview window it's a clickable link but on the website it isn't??? I'm using Firefox on a computer....

You've duplicated the web address.

Try - http://postal.pt/video/2020-07-13-Centenas-de-turistas-provocam-desacatosnas-Ilhas-Baleares.-Video-mostra-turistas-a-pularem-sobre-viaturas" rel="nofollow - https://postal.pt/video/2020-07-13-Centenas-de-turistas-provocam-desacatosnas-Ilhas-Baleares.-Video-mostra-turistas-a-pularem-sobre-viaturas

Google Translate will translate the page.

Thanks for the help Jock, how I doubled it is a mystery or maybe old eyes !

My question is, as there is No Air Bridge, are tourists from the UK and specifically Scotland welcomed in Albufeira just now? 

Birmingham airport was like a ghost town, 13 flights out all day, not the usual 100 and more they would expect this time of year. The resource has been cut back to match this and is adequately staffed. We allowed extra time, ie. arrived earlier than usual, in truth we could have left it later as it took far less time through security. Most of the shops are shut, some permanently some temporary, you can’t get a hot drink, a cold one is available from WHS, the one right in the terminal not the one on the right as you leave security, that’s closed temporarily.

Ryanair you couldn’t fault, only 24 on the flight in and 100, ie2/3rds full going out. Interesting that most going out we’re Portuguese not tourists. 

Ryanair emailed us, the day before we travelled, a link to a Portuguese form that you had to print off and complete and take with you. Fair enough, easy to do and we did. At Portugal passport control they never asked for it, most hadn’t got it but that wasn’t a problem. We handed ours in with passport and they put it to one side, never looked at it. Those that hadn’t got just went through without a request for the form or enquiry of any of the questions on the form. Insert “shrug shoulders” emoji!

I’m not recommending you ignore, I just wouldn’t panic if for some reason you haven’t got it.

Landing to car hire pick up in P4 was less than twenty minutes, not bad, and the airport was just like Birmingham, something of a ghost town.

They also emailed us a link to a UK form for QT purposes on your return but you can only complete that up to 48 hours prior to your arrival back in UK when again, unless there’s an Airbridge agreement by then, you should hand your form in.

Well, if any of that is of interest or use I’m glad I took the time.

All that said, when you get here, enjoy.

Masks to worn in Airport, both departure and arrival plus at all times on the plane. 

Of course your mask can be removed to eat and drink. 

EasyJet are not serving hot food or drinks, however, all other snacks and cold drinks are available. 

EasyJet will advise you to leave completed forms on front or rear seats when you exit and they will hand them to the authorities. I believe these particular forms are to locate you if there are any problems arising from anyone on your flight.