Madeira to demand negative antigen test for entry from July, not PCR

From July 1 travellers seeking to enter Madeira will have to present a negative result from a rapid antigen test for Covid-19, carried out no more than 48 hours before embarking, the government of the Portuguese region announced on Monday, in a move that replaces the previous requirement for travellers to present a negative result from a PCR test.

Meanwhile, the closing time of bars and restaurants is being extended to midnight from Tuesday, with a curfew in place from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m.

The limit on these establishments’ capacity is now to be up to two-thirds of normal, and they may operate with tables of up to six people inside and up to 10 outside.

At present, restaurants and bars may open until 11 p.m. with a capacity of up to 50% of normal, and with up to five people per table, and in bars, people are not allowed to “drink at the counter or standing”. A curfew is currently in effect between midnight and 5 a.m., including on weekends.

The regional government, led by Miguel Albuquerque of the centre-right Social Democratic Party (PSD), also announced that as of June 21 only a negative result from one rapid antigen test will be required for travel between the islands of Madeira and Porto Santo, again when carried out within 48 hours before the trip.

At a news conference, the premier stressed that “no self-tests will be accepted” either for entry into the region, or for travel between islands.