The Coronavirus | Madeira

This document contains the latest information about the protocols, preventative measures and changes adopted on Madeira in response to the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.

At Sunvil, we relaunched our holiday programme to Madeira in the autumn and have been working alongside our destination partners and the local tourist board to educate ourslves about the latest government guidance and regional policies. Below we have highlighted the facts and guidelines relating to accommodation, shops and services on Madeira. It is important to note that guidelines are being updated daily and you should contact us should you have any specific questions or concerns.

This document was updated on Monday 11 January 2021.

Arrivals

All passengers, whether Portuguese or foreign citizens, with trips scheduled for the Autonomous Region of Madeira, can perform PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) COVID-19 tests, without any charge, in several cities in the country. Currently, there are 34 sample collection stations for testing.

When planning your trip to Madeira and Porto Santo, it is important to know the local regulations in force in terms of prevention and containment of COVID-19, namely:

Epidemiological Survey 

All passengers must complete the mandatory epidemiological survey, provided by the Regional Health Authority, on the digital platform madeirasafe.com. The completion can be done in the 48h to 12h prior to boarding and must be done, individually, by each passenger, except for dependents up to 12 years old, whose registration must be included in the survey of one of the accompanying adults.  After completing the registration, the passenger receives a notification, via e-mail, with his access code for the madeirasafe.com platform. The passenger should login to his madeirasafe.com account where he/she will find the respective QR Code, to be presented upon arrival at Madeira Airport. The PCR test result can also be submitted in advance on the platform.

Thermal screening

All passengers disembarked at airports in the Autonomous Region of Madeira are subject to thermal screening, without exceptions.

Testing for COVID-19 

All passengers who, when disembarking, carry a negative PCR test for COVID-19, carried out within 72 hours prior to boarding, in laboratories certified by national or international authorities, can proceed to their destination.

On the other-hand, passengers who have not undergone PCR testing at their location of origin will do so upon arrival at the airport, then proceed to their destination where they must wait for an estimated period of 12h, in confinement, to receive the result.

In the exceptional cases of refusal to carry out the test upon arrival, passengers may choose to 1) fulfil voluntary isolation, for a period of 14 days, at their home or at the hotel where they are staying, and if the accommodation is less than 14 days, the confinement will cover the duration of the accommodation period; or 2) return to the destination of origin or any other destination outside the territory of the Autonomous Region of Madeira, fulfilling, until the time of the flight, isolation at home or in the hotel establishment where he/she is staying. In these cases, the accommodation costs will be borne by the traveller.

Children

• Children are exempt from testing in childhood and pre-adolescence, with exception to:
• Children from 12 years old, upon decision by the Health Authorities;
• Children with probable criteria for COVID-19 disease;
• Children whose family members or companions are probable cases;
• Other situations validated by the Health Authorities.

Health Safety Regulations

• As complementary preventive COVID-19 measures, it is recommended to fully comply with the following rules:
• The mandatory use of a face mask, as from 6 years of age, with exception to: persons with disabilities; sports practice (physical activity and/or leisure that involves physical effort, recreational sports activities in forest areas and along the recommended walking routes; beaches, bathing areas and complexes as well as sea accesses
• Social distancing (2 metres between persons and avoiding clusters)
• Frequent hand hygiene
• Gatherings of more than 5 persons are prohibited (unless from the same family unit) on the public road or in any other public area between 6pm and 5am

Accommodation

The regional tourist board of Madeira identifies tourist accommodation and activities which are compliant with the hygiene and cleaning requirements to prevent and control Covid-19 and other possible infections.

Further information on the measures to be adopted by accommodation can be found below and in this link:

• Social distancing within the hotel and its grounds
• Perspex screens at reception desks
• Anti-Covid-19 kits for guests which include hand sanitiser, mask and gloves
• Later check-in/earlier check-out to allow for enhanced cleaning
• Use of face masks by customer facing personnel
• Breakfasts to be served (no buffet)
• Limited restaurant reservations
• Reduced guest capacity

Sunvil's team will advise any measures specific to your hotel of choice upon confirmation and with our travel documentation.

Transfers and car hire

In addition to protocols for accommodation, the regional tourist board of Madeira has also established measures for the transportation of visitors. Sunvil and our local partners have adopted these measures and made the necessary plans for those travelling with us.

• Transfer vehicles will be cleaned between each service
• A private taxi transfer can accommodate a maximum of 2 adult passengers (three if from the same family group) per vehicle
• Transfer vehicles will travel with a window open to ensure the vehicle is continuously ventilated
• It is important to note that all passengers will be required to wear face masks during their journey and that in some instances guests will be required to load/unload their luggage from the vehicle
• Hire cars will be deep-cleaned prior to all rentals

Services

All commerce, including department stores and supermarkets, will be closed from 5pm and reopen from 8am.  

Restaurants, bars and similar establishments close at 5pm. Due to circulation restrictions, takeaway and home delivery services will be closed during the above-mentioned periods. Exceptions include restaurants integrated in hotel establishments, where meal services apply exclusively to guests staying in the respective hotel establishment. 

Beaches

The essential rules of physical safety distance, frequent hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette, cleaning and sanitation of spaces and the mandatory use of a mask when going to restaurants, cafes, service areas and toilets must be observed.

Useful links

• Covid Madeira
• COVID-19 Travel Regulations Map
• MadeiraGov
• Madeira Safe To Discover | Best Practices Rules and Recommendations
• Contingency Plan for Emerging Infections (Portuguese version)