Portugal open to Nonessential Travel

Pretty much everything is open at this time. Four areas, including Lisbon, have been ‘held back’ from further loosening of restrictions due to an increase in cases recently. But, that means fewer people at tables at restaurants, earlier closing times for restaurants and stores and people needing to work from home. I’ve been living life pretty much normally for a couple of months now.

Of course, who knows what will happen by fall. The good news is that Portugal and the EU are finally vaccinating more people, which should have a big impact.

A couple of online newspapers you might want to check out - The Portugal News and Portugal Resident. They are fairly heavy on news of the Algarve but also cover the rest of the country and have been doing a pretty good job of keeping up with all things covid.

Thank you very much

Please be sure to make refundable flight and hotel reservations. Conditions here in Portugal have worsened dramatically recently and infections are spiking, especially in Lisbon and the Algarve as the Delta variant is taking hold. Look at the dramatic change in outlook in the UK with regard to Delta where they are far ahead of us in vaccination rates. Health officials in Portugal are very concerned.

Things have changed significantly in the last week Re: covid. The President is saying we won’t have another lockdown, but if the medical system starts becoming overwhelmed, who knows.

I would wait a couple of months to buy plane tickets.

Thank you again. I am going to wait to do any European travel and hope things are better in the fall of 2022.