Government bans cruise ship passenger, crew disembarkation until June 15
The ban on cruise ship passengers disembarking was first imposed on March 13 and, by order of April 9, was extended until May 17, this being the second extension of the ban.
The prohibition of landing and shore leave for passengers and crew of cruise ships in Portuguese ports was extended by the government for the second time, until midnight on June 15, according to a published order.
The ban on cruise ship passengers disembarking was first imposed on March 13 and, by order of April 9, was extended until next Sunday (May 17), this being the second extension of the ban.
The government recalls that this ban was justified as a measure to contain possible contagion lines to control the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and Covid-19 disease and that since then, the epidemiological situation has continued to worsen in Portugal, as well as in other countries.
It said that the extension of the ban until mid-June considers that international experience demonstrates the high risk arising from the disembarkation of passengers and crew of cruise ships, and considers the fact that the disaster situation was declared in Portugal on April 30.
As it has happened since March 13, the prohibition of cruise ships in national ports does not apply to national citizens or holders of residence permits in Portugal.
Cruise ships are also still allowed to dock in Portuguese ports for supply, maintenance and repair.
The extension of the ban does not prejudice disembarkation in exceptional or urgent cases, subject to authorisation from the health authority for humanitarian or health reasons, or for immediate repatriation.
On Wednesday, the government also extended, from midnight next Monday until June 15, the ban on flights to and from Portugal to and from countries outside the European Union, although with exceptions such as the United Kingdom and Brazil.
The government has also kept the land borders between Portugal and Spain closed until June 15.
