Brits in Portugal react to holiday hotspot’s Covid rules and beg ‘no masks on beach’ – World News

Brits could be forced to wear masks on the beach when Portugal unveils new Covid rules later this month.

And tourists flocking to the Algarve and other hot spots face 100 Euro fines if they refuse to comply.

Eduardo Cabrita, Portugal’s minister for Internal Affairs, said: “This (the pandemic) is not over yet, it is essential that tourists strictly respect the rules that Portugal make.”

The news came as British holidaymakers were expected to get the green light to travel to European holiday hotspots using vaccine passports on Wednesday night.

European diplomats are set to sign off plans to allow those who have had both jabs to from from the UK without having a test or having to self-isolate.

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The UK could also be included on an extended Brussels ‘green list’ allowing holiday travel from non-EU countries with infection rates below 100 cases per 100,000 people.

A spokesman for the EU presidency confirmed they had agreed “certain waivers for vaccinated persons [and] easing the criteria to lift restrictions for third countries”.

But that will not be enough on its own to open up breaks to the Continent – as destinations will also need to be on the UK’s own ‘green list’.

Portugal’s new Covid rules come into force on May 29 and will apply when the beaches are full and social distancing is difficult.

UK holiday bookings have soared for the first week of June, which is half-term for many schools, and some hotel chains are fully booked.

But on the golden sands of Albufeira on Wednesday holidaymakers had plenty of room to spread their towels and bask under clear blue skies.

Pals Jessica Allmark, 28, and Kim Steers, 29, originally from Liverpool but now living in London, had flown into Faro from Stansted and headed straight to the beach.

The pair were thrilled to feel the sand between their toes after the long lockdown.

Beauty therapist Jessica grinned: “We are happy to wear masks anywhere – but not on the beach.”

Kim said: “I was so excited. I was almost crying on the plane when we landed. I was that happy to be here.”

She is a nurse caring for teenage cancer patients at University College London Hospitals NHS Trust, and had grabbed the chance of a last minute sunshine break with both hands.

“I could not put into words how it has been over the past year. The hospital was full of Covid patients” she said.

“You have got to get the most out of life. If you had seen some of the things I have seen, you would not believe it”

Fabian Fowler, 35, and Emma Kelleher, 32, from Bristol, had originally booked a holiday in Torquay this week.

But once Portugal was placed on the government’s “green” list of approved destinations, they tore up their plans.

And they were so desperate to feel the sun on their backs they drove to Birmingham for a flight on Monday, rather than wait for one from their home city the next day.

“We could not wait 24 hours” laughed Fabian, who runs a loft conversion firm.

Emma, a conveyancer, said: “The weather back home has been awful. It feels as though it has been a long lockdown.

“I have been really busy in work so I definitely needed a holiday.”

The couple said the bars and restaurants in the resort have insisted on customers wearing masks.

Fabian said: “As soon as you enter the bar area, even if you are outside, they ask you to put it on.”

Emma added: “In the bars they are quite on it. You have to wear a mask if you stand up. It is the same as in England really.

“But people don’t want to wear a mask on the beach.”

Covid warning signs next to the beach at the bottom of Albufeira’s famous ‘strip’ remind people to observe social distancing, wear masks and use hand sanitiser.

Karen Miles, 61, and Stephen Halloways, 66, from Leeds, West Yorks, arrived in Portugal last October and had planned to stay for eight weeks.

But a series of cancelled flights and the prospect of paying £1,750 each to quarantine in a hotel on their return to the UK, persuaded them to stay.

Karen, and former prison officer said: “We have had lockdowns here but the weather has made up for it.”

Retired postman Steve added: “There have been plenty of places to eat and drink outside so it has been fine.”

He said Covid restrictions are enforced in Portugal and he fears when he returns to the UK later this week people will not be taking the virus as seriously.

“They do adhere to the rules here and I follow them as well, out of respect for the Portuguese” he said.

Retired nurse Jean Credidio, 69, and ex retail worker Steve Moss, 72, from Liverpool, landed in Portugal last December for a short winter break and have been here ever since.

They were also put off by the prospect of an expensive stay in a quarantine hotel and are now flying home in early June.

“We were supposed to go back in February but all the flights were cancelled” said Steve.

Jean said they were happy to comply with the firm Covid rules during their prolonged vacation.

“We would not dream of going into a shop here without wearing a mask” she said.

“Most people wear them in the street. We have been told we will have to wear them on the beach but it is too hot to do that.”

As well as compulsory mask wearing, other rules coming into force when the beaches are busy include the banning of kick-abouts with two or more people.

And a traffic light system – green, amber and red – will be in place at the busiest spots, with fines for sunbathers who try to access congested areas.

In neighbouring Spain health officials came under fire last month when they appeared to suggest masks should be worn on the country’s beaches.

But the government later said they were not obligatory if social distancing was maintained.

Masks are compulsory for those inside or outside Spain’s bars and restaurants, except when eating or drinking.

British holidaymakers are currently banned from the country.

And Boris Johnson has said countries on the ‘amber list’, which includes France, Spain and Greece, are “not somewhere where you should be going on holiday”.