Portugal's Vaccination Record
About 98% of the population vaccinated
In the beginning of the year Portugal was in a tough position with COVID-19 with its health care system on the verge of collapsing, hospitals in the capital, Lisbon, were overflowing and authorities were asking people to treat themselves at home. In the last week of January, Portugal’s mortality rate nearly reached 2,000 people, as the virus spread.
The country’s vaccine program was assigned to Vice Adm. Henrique Gouveia e Melo (a former submarine regiment commander), to manage the vaccination process within the shortest time possible.
Eight months later, Portugal is among the world’s leaders in vaccinations, with roughly 86% of its population of 10.3 million fully vaccinated. About 98% of all of those eligible for vaccines — meaning anyone over 12 have been fully vaccinated. With the exceptional vaccination record, the Portuguese Government is easing the COVID-19 measures in the country.
As of October 1st, the general rules are:
- Restaurants with no limit of people per group;
- End of requirement for digital certificate or negative test for access to restaurants;
- End of timetable restrictions;
- End of capacity limits, namely in local commerce establishments, weddings and baptisms as well as for all cultural shows;
- Opening of bars and clubs;
- End of the limitation for sale and consumption of alcohol.
It is mandatory to present EU COVID Digital Certificate in:
- Major cultural and sporting events (check the event website for more info.);
- Bars and clubs;
- Visits to health facilities;
The regulations for air travel has also been simplified, currently Portugal does not request for passengers to be vaccinated in order to enter the country without having to quarantine, as long as, passengers have a negative PCR or Antigen test, and are arriving from one of Portugal’s approved green list countries.