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 Thursday 23 September.

Arrivals

Madeira is open to UK travellers and has been categorised as 'Rest of the World' by the UK government. The requirements for travellers are detailed below - applicable to arrivals into the UK on/after 04 October.

Travellers in receipt of double-vaccination:

• Pre-departure testing. A pre-departure test is not required for entry into Madeira for fully-vaccinated travellers. Instead proof of vaccination status, as detailed below, is required.
• A completed Traveller Registration Form between 48-12 hours prior to departure. It is your responsibility to do so as will be any costs incurred for new flight tickets and amendments to your travel plans should the form not be submitted. Airlines are denying boarding to those who fail to provide evidence of their submission and QR code. The negative PCR test result or evidence of vaccination/recover should be uploaded to this platform.
• Thermal screening is in operation at Funchal airport.
• A completed UK Passenger Locator Form (PLF).
• Testing on return: A PCR test on Day 2 is required This test must be ordered before your return to the UK and evidence of this purchase must be added to the UK Passenger Locator Form.

Evidence for passengers in receipt of both vaccinations (one of the following):

• The NHS App: This application is valid on smart phones and tablets and requires ALL passengers to register for their own account. The account is connected to your NHS number, date of birth and postcode. The application will display your Covid-19 vaccine record.
• An official certificate from the NHS: This certificate can be obtained by calling “119” from any UK landline or mobile (or by dialling "111" if resident in Wales). This request takes c.5-7 days to receive.

You should check that your name on your passport matches how it is displayed on your NHS Covid App/certificate (Pass). If the names are different, contact your GP practice to have your details updated. Middle names are not required on the App/certificate.

We recommend you travel with a printed copy of your vaccination certificate.

If you have not received both vaccinations:

• Pre-departure testing: A PCR test taken within 72 hours of your flight departure time from the UK - A negative test result is required in order to travel and should be uploaded to the Madeira Traveller Registration Form.
• A completed Traveller Registration Form between 48-12 hours prior to departure. It is your responsibility to do so as will be any costs incurred for new flight tickets and amendments to your travel plans should the form not be submitted. Airlines are denying boarding to those who fail to provide evidence of their submission and QR code. The negative PCR test result or evidence of vaccination/recover should be uploaded to this platform.
• Thermal screening is in operation at Funchal airport.
• Test to return: All travellers must undertake a PCR, LAMP or Antigen test within 72 hours of return to the UK. This test must be taken at a local clinic or using a virtual provider (see below), approved by the UK government. A fit to fly certificate is provided (the certificate must be in English, Spanish or French).
• A completed UK Passenger Locator Form (PLF).
• Testing on return to the UK: A 10-day period of self-isolation plus a PCR test on/before Day 2 and on/after Day 8 is required. These tests must be ordered before your return to the UK and evidence of this purchase must be added to the UK Passenger Locator Form.
• Test to release on Day 5: This optional test is available to travellers in England. The test must be added to the UK Passenger Locator Form. If you choose to purchase a Day 5 test after your return to the UK a revised Passenger Locator Form must be submitted.

An exception to the need of a pre-departure PCR test is in place for those in receipt of one vaccination (of a two-dose vaccination scheme) – see below.

Exempt: Passengers with a medical document certifying that they were vaccinated with only one dose (in two-dose vaccination schemes), and having respected the activation period of the immune system as provided for in the SPC (14 days), in the case of patients who are recovered from SARS-CoV-2 infection for more than 180 days, or who have been diagnosed with the infection after having taken the first dose of the vaccine.

Testing for children: 

• Pre-departure testing – required for children aged 12-17yrs: A PCR test taken within 72 hours of your flight departure time from the UK or a rapid antigen test from an authorised clinic taken within 48 hours of your flight departure time - A negative test result is required in order to travel should be uploaded to the Madeira Traveller Registration Form.
• A completed Traveller Registration Form between 48-12 hours prior to departure. It is your responsibility to do so as will be any costs incurred for new flight tickets and amendments to your travel plans should the form not be submitted. Airlines are denying boarding to those who fail to provide evidence of their submission and QR code. The negative PCR test result or evidence of vaccination/recover should be uploaded to this platform.
• Thermal screening is in operation at Funchal airport.
• A completed UK Passenger Locator Form (PLF).
• Testing on return to the UK - required for children aged 5-17yrs: A PCR test on/before Day 2 is required. These tests must be ordered before your return to the UK and evidence of this purchase must be added to the UK Passenger Locator Form.

Testing providers

In UK tests:

At Sunvil, we have a partnership with Randox Health (one of the UK government’s approved providers) and our travellers can purchase tests at a reduced price:

Randox Health
Finsbury House
23 Finsbury Circus
London
EC2M 7EO
Website: https://www.randoxhealth.com
Tel: 0800 254 5130

• UK testing kits for adults in receipt of both vaccinations: Day 2 – quote SUNVIL2021 online at https://www.randoxhealth.com/covid-19-day-2-and-8-testing/ at a cost of £43.00.
• UK testing kits for adults not in receipt of both vaccinations: Pre-departure test, Day 2 and Day 8 test – quote SUNVIL2021 online at https://www.randoxhealth.com/amber-travel-pack/ – at a cost of £129.00.
• Children aged 12-17yrs: Pre-departure test and Day 2 – quote SUNVIL2021 online at https://www.randoxhealth.com/green-travel-pack/ – at a cost of £86.00.
• Children aged 5-11yrs: Day 2 – quote SUNVIL2021 online at https://www.randoxhealth.com/covid-19-day-2-and-8-testing/ at a cost of £43.00.

With Randox, you will self-administer a swab test using the instructions in the test kit provided and send the test back to Randox using one of their local drop boxes or an alternative courier. If an alternative courier is selected, you should ensure that the provider can deliver biological samples and that they offer a next-day tracked service. Samples must arrive within 70 hours of swabbing to undergo testing. Once the test has been analysed you will be sent an electronic test certificate.

Alternative provider:

Express Test – Providers of PCR tests:

Express Test offer drive-through PCR tests at 17 airports and hubs across the UK including at Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, London Gatwick and London Heathrow airports as well as at a centre in Croydon and in Reading.

The test costs from £50.00 per person and results are guaranteed by 10pm the next day (after receipt). Express Test also provide the Day 2 and Day 8 tests.

Full testing information and details of additional suppliers can be found here.

Test to return (in Madeira):

All adults not in receipt of double-vaccination status must undertake a PCR, LAMP or Antigen test within 72 hours of return to the UK. This test can be in the following format:

• An in-clinic test in resort: The Madeiran regional government are offering a complimentary rapid antigen test or PCR test for all travellers. To make an appointment, you will need to visit www.madeirasafe.com, at least 4 days in advance of the test (for a PCR test) or visit an authorised pharmacy to undertake a rapid antigen test.
• A self-administered Antigen test (purchased prior to departure): Tried-and-tested by our team, this option offered by Medic Spot will require you to perform a swab test and to upload the result to their website. On proof of a negative test result, a fit to fly certificate is issued. These tests can be purchased through Sunvil on 020 8758 4758 (choosing pre-departures) at a rate of £40.00 per test. Alternatively, you can purchase the tests online by visiting https://tests.medicspot.co.uk/products/return-antigen - £45.00 per person.

Requirements for the fit to fly ‘Test to return’ certificate:

• Name, which should match the name on your travel documents (+passport number)
• Date of birth or age
• The result of the test
• The date the test sample was collected or received by the test provider
• The name of the test provider and their contact details
• Confirmation of the device used for the test, or that the test was a PCR test

Requirements for the test:

• Performance standards of ≥97% specificity

Please also ensure that you are familiar with the new rules for travel within Europe from 01 January 2021. A synopsis of the changes can be found in our dedicated blog.

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
• 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)
• 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

Face masks

• The use of face masks is obligatory in enclosed spaces and when outside if social distancing of 2m can’t bemaintained.
• In restaurants and cafes, the use of face masks is required until seated.
• The use of face masks is obligatory on all forms of public transport and private hire vehicles.
• Surgical masks are required to be changed every four hours

Services

Shopping malls, childcare centres, gyms, cinemas, theatres and other cultural venues have reopened across Madeira, but with capacity restrictions, social distancing (1.5-2 metres) and the use of face masks within indoor public spaces.

Each island has adopted its own protocols, some of these include:

• A maximum of 6 people per table (inside) and 10 people per table (outside) in restaurants and cafes, unless members of the same household. Restaurants and cafes can operate at 2/3 capacity.
• Closure of all bars with dance spaces and nightclubs.
• Closure, from 01:00 am onwards, of all restaurants, bars and similar establishments.

A curfew is from 2am to 5am.

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.

Sunvil's support

Sunvil’s destination specialists have toured Madeira and know the country inside out. The team consisting of Rosanna, Michelle, Yasmin, Cristiana, Alison and Bekki, are supported in-country by our local agent. We operate a 24-hour emergency telephone number and are also on hand to answer any questions you may have.

Useful links

• Covid Madeira
• COVID-19 Travel Regulations Map
• MadeiraGov
• Madeira Safe To Discover | Best Practices Rules and Recommendations