What is Lisbon like with Covid Numbers Rising

Be sure you have travel insurance to cover the cost in case you test positive. All you can do is wear your mask in crowded areas, and when talking to strangers. This applies to anywhere you go overseas since Covid is not going away and you need a negative test to return to the USA.

Not to rain on your plans, but 2 couples who traveled with us to Portugal the last three weeks are stranded there due to positive tests. One felt ill a few days before planned departure so got their clock started to come home with their official positive test. The other tested positive the day before the planned flight. BTW should this happen to you, you’re not quarantined. You’re told to find your own accommodation for 7 days and to isolate from other people. You can go for a masked walk for example. We were all very careful with masks and outdoor dining. Feel super fortunate we got home as planned!

I think in today's world, it's a chance you have to think about. No one can tell you one way or another. I know people who's flown on planes and not worn masks on vacation who test negative and I've known people who follow all the rules who test positive.

I'd have a plan B and money set aside just in case.

Hi Heidi

My husband and I are in quarantine in Obidos right now. I was double boosted. One gal tested positive at the beginning of our tour, while her travel mates had tested positive coming off a different tour. I tested positive day 6 and my husband on Day 8. When I tested positive I was told I had to quarantine for 7 days and because he was negative he had to be in a different room, so we agreed he should carry on with the tour. When he started feeling icky he got a private transfer back to where I am, got PCR tested and was able to stay with me. Each country has different rules. Know them but be aware they are ever changing. Portugal numbers are skyrocketing right now. We are Canadian so don’t need to test before going home - we just need to wait a full 10 days after my husband’s positive test before flying home. That rule is the same in US except that you also need a negative test result. Unfortunately with this COVID variant one can test positive for a long time.

I'm headed into Lisbon today and am nervous. Not much I can do but take precautions...bummer to have to worry about this while trying to sightsee and enjoy Portugal. Just am ending 4 days in Porto and nobody is masked up anymore.

As others said, there is no guarantee. I live close to Lisbon and have traveled in a few times during all the peaks and still nave never tested positive. I’ve also traveled a bit around Europe this spring - still negative. While I’ve had friends who tested positive never knowing where they were exposed.

I decided earlier this year that I had refrained from travel long enough. I just go prepared (as much as possible) for the possibility of testing positive while gone and when I get back.

Life is pretty normal here and the news now is that this peak has passed. But, of course, another variant could be on the horizon at any time. Wear your masks when in crowds, eat outside, wash your hands - And have travel insurance or access to extra money in case you need to extend your trip.

But, only you can decide if you can deal with the risk.

Todays weekly update is "sort of " good news.
While the number of infections has increased compared to the previous week, its increase is less than prior weekly interest. The all important rate of transmission (R/t) has decreased from 1.23 to 1.13. What this means it that the wave has likely crested and we should see new cases beginning to decline.

If you are already in Portugal, remain super vigilant as this statistical difference doesn't really apply to you.

Selfishly, I don't arrive for 2 weeks and by then could be looking at numbers more comparable to what I am living with here.
For what it is worth, I double the reported US infection rate as we have no real national reporting system while I trust the Portuguese numbers.

Dennis

I am in Lisbon right now with another 4 days to go I bought a self test at the pharmacy for 3 euros so far so good, I'm negative. it's great peace of mind. I'm really happy to see that people mask up on transit