Algarve Tourism Bureau – News – October 2020

‘GOLF CLUBS ARE ON US’: ALGARVE SHOULDERS THE BURDEN OF TRAVEL COSTS

The Algarve is set to lend a generous hand to the cost of golfers’ holidays after announcing the: “golf clubs are on us.”
Europe’s top golf holiday destination will be teaming up with the industry’s golf tour operator network for a new campaign in which the Algarve supports the travels costs for clubs up to €100 on a direct international flight to Faro, with most major airlines included.
The free golf bag offer will be applied to bookings made with a licensed golf tour operator for a minimum five-night stay between November and the end of April 2021, with bookings having to be confirmed by December 31, 2020.
Golfers travelling from the UK, Ireland, Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland and The Netherlands – who are staying at an officially-licensed hotel, villa or apartment – will be eligible to take part as the Algarve chips in to take some of the strain.
Upon arrival at Faro, the welcoming stretch of southern Portugal awaits with year-round sunshine, warm temperatures, and a staggering 43 nine or 18-hole courses to choose from. It is especially welcome at a time of year when golfers in other parts of Europe see their opportunities limited by the weather.
Visitors will also feel safe in the knowledge that the Algarve has extensive precautions implemented, with hotels and courses having Clean & Safe certification, which has been introduced by Portugal Tourism in recent times.

Watch Algarve Golf video!

More information and the full terms and conditions will be available soon at: www.visitgolfalgarve.com

HAMILTON BREAKS SCHUMACHER’S WORLD RECORD F1 VICTORIES IN THE ALGARVE

This Sunday, Lewis Hamilton made Formula 1 history by scoring the 92nd victory of his career in our lively Portuguese Grand Prix in Portimão. The Mercedes driver has broken the record for most F1 wins by a driver, which Michael Schumacher has held since 2001. The Algarve is thrilled to be part of this special record.

ALGARVE WINES AWARDED AND PRESENTED TO VISITORS

The surprising Algarve wines just won 9 medals in the most recent edition of the Brussels World Contest: 4 gold medals and 5 silver medals – congratulations to our producers!
And because wine is to be tasted and celebrated, the “Algarve Wines” (Algarve wines association) invites all visitors to taste the best wines from the best producers in the region at the Portimão Mostorsports Village from 19 to 22 November (Portuguese Moto GP week).

RELIABLE, TRANSPARENT AND REGULAR INFORMATION ABOUT THE ALGARVE

• The region has 189 active cases for 100.000 inhabitants
• 0,18% is the percentage of active cases per 100.000 inhabitants
• 61,5 is week on week rate of new cases by 100.000 inhabitants in Algarve (week 43)
• 1616 have recovered
• 35 hospitalizations, 1 in ICU
• Total of 25 deaths associated to covid-19 since the beginning of the outbreak
• More than 19% of the Algarve’s population has been already tested to coronavirus (total pop. 438.406).
• Portugal has performed 3.156.991tests up to now, around 31% of the total Portuguese population, corresponding to 309.903tests/1M inhabitants, ahead of countries like Italy (244k/1M) Germany (242K/1M), France(231K/1M) Croatia (111k/1M), Turkey (157K/1M) and Greece (161k/1M)
• The region has an area of 5.000 square kilometres/1.930 square miles and about 200km/125mi of coastline, which facilitates physical distancing
• Faro’s district commission of the National Civil Protection Authority strategic actions for prevention, readiness and response to coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) in the Algarve.
• Areas for population support (ZAP) installed in the 16 municipalities of the Algarve region:
o 65 structures with capacity for 3390 beds of 3 types (prophylactic isolation, quarantine, social reserve (nursing homes support))
• Military and hotel units in reserve installed in the 16 municipalities of the Algarve region:
o 96 structures, with capacity for 1976 beds.
• Extra-emergency space for hospitalizations at Faro’s Hospital:
o Sports Hall Sporting Clube Farense (50 beds)
• Readiness in the eventuality of the need of campaign hospitals:
o Faro – Sports hall Municipal da Penha
o Portimão – Portimão Arena
(Update info October 25th 2020)

ANA AIPORTS REINFORCES PROTECTION AND HYGIENE MEASURES

ANA Aeroportos de Portugal has reinforced protection and hygiene measures in its airports, so that passengers feel safer flying. The measures applied in all ANA airports comply with the Contingency Plans, validated by the National Health Department (DGS) and the legal requirements defined by the relevant authorities.
Check here the protective measures taking place.

COVID-19 | PORTUGAL’S UPDATED MEASURES FROM SEPTEMBER 15

On September 15, the Portuguese government revised the public health measures to protect the population. Check here for the detailed behaviour measures and guidelines taking place: visit portugal

UK & EUROPEAN CONNECTIONS TO FARO

Travelling to Faro is possible through the many direct flights from major European cities. See updated available flights here Aeroporto de Faro

NO QUARANTINE UPON ARRIVAL

No quarantine will be imposed for travellers arriving in Faro: Portugal’s foreign minister Augusto Santos Silva stressed that “to tourists who come by air, Portugal will not impose a quarantine”, instead focusing on “minimal health controls” to keep travellers and locals safe – those arriving in the Algarve are welcome in the country right now.

COVID TEST – PASSENGERS TRAVELING TO PORTUGAL/ALGARVE

COVID TEST IS NOT NEEDED IF YOU ARE TRAVELING FROM:

Countries that are part of the European Union, associated with the Schengen Area (Liechtenstein, Norway, Iceland and Switzerland) and the United Kingdom.
Countries whose epidemiological situation is in accordance with the recommendations regarding air connections with Portugal, namely Canada.

MANDATORY COVID TEST, WITH A NEGATIVE RESULT, IN ORDER TO BOARD IS NEEDED FOR:

All passengers (including Portuguese citizens and residents of Portugal) on flights from countries that are not part of the European Union, or that are not countries associated with the Schengen Area or from the United Kingdom or Canada, must present proof of RT-PCR testing for COVID-19, with a negative result, performed within 72 hours prior to the time of departure, or they will be denied boarding.
For example the United Stated of America and Brazil.

NOTE: The test must be a molecular RT-PCR test and rapid tests are not acceptable.

EXCEPTIONS TO THE RULE OF MANDATORY PRESENTATION OF NEGATIVE TEST RESULTS BEFORE BOARDING:

Passengers transferring in Portugal with a connecting flight outside of national territory are exempt from presenting the test as long as the connecting flight takes place on the same calendar day and they do not leave the boarding area within the airport;
Passengers of Portuguese nationality and passengers with legal residence in Portugal, on flights originating in African Portuguese speaking countries or any origin in a third country on repatriation or humanitarian flight:
Will be allowed to board without proof of testing, however they will be tested upon arrival at the Portuguese airport, at their own expense, and must wait for the results at their residence (for reference, the test costs 100 €).
Examples:
Portuguese national / resident in Portugal traveling from New York to Lisbon-Faro: Must present test to board
Foreign national traveling from Rio de Janeiro to Lisbon-Faro: Must present test to board
Foreign national traveling Sao Paulo – Lisbon – Madrid: No test required

OUR COMPANIES WITH CLEAN & SAFE LABEL
Hotels and resorts, local accommodation, travel agencies and touristic companies, golfs, restaurants and rent-a-car services in the Algarve, comply with the “Clean & Safe” seal created by Turismo de Portugal to ensure safety in destination businesses for staff, guests and locals:

Hotels & resorts – 442
Local accommodation – 3180
Golf courses – 36
Restaurants – 347
Rent-a-car – 29
Travel agencies – 307
Touristic activities companies – 376

Original Newsletter (with some additional content): http://mkt.atalgarve.pt/vl/3f52a-69ef4d274d45bb7a1940a7f0c2d4d025845eue8pDBe3Tj5e7631c90a17