PORTUGAL has announced the new Covid rules for holidaymakers visiting the beach this summer – and rule-breakers face €100 (£86) fines.
Thousands of Brits have flocked to the country this week, with the holiday ban lifted on Monday and Portugal one of the few green list countries.
The new rules, according to local media, now mean that Brits face the steep fines if they don't wear a face mask while on the beach.
There will also be a traffic light system in place, with sunbathers banned from red areas – also facing fines if breaking the rules.
Beaches with capacity of more than 90 per cent will show a red light, meaning access is not allowed.
Sporting activities on the beach are banned which involve more than two people if it is crowded.
The face mask rule, which enforces them if social distancing rules can't be followed, with be in place from May 29 but holiday resorts in the Algarve are already enforcing it.
Although the country is officially "open for business", visitors must provide proof of a negative Covid PCR test and show a completed locator form with details of their accommodation.
Portugal pledged to try "at all costs to avoid quarantines and additional Covid-19 tests" for travellers, tourism minister Rita Marques said recently.
She also told the BBC: "'We have been working hard to tackle the pandemic, as I said, so restaurants and coffee shops and shops and everything is open as from May 1."
Bars and restaurants are now eagerly awaiting a boost of Brit tourism as thousands are expected to head to the holiday hotspot over the next few weeks.
To enter Portugal, Brits will still need to have a negative Covid test or proof of vaccination.
Brits returning from Portugal from May 17 will not have to quarantine when arriving in the UK, however, families will still need two Covid tests – one taken before arrival and one on day two.
TUI has recently launched £20 Covid test kits which Brits can book through the tour operator if returning from a green country.
Despite holidays being able to go ahead, fuming Brits have been left confused as the government says trips cannot go ahead to amber list destinations.
The list, which includes most of Europe hotspots including Spain, Greece, Italy and France, requires a mandatory 10-day quarantine when returning to the UK.
Millions of Brits have booked holidays to the destinations after believing they were able to go ahead – only for MPs including Prime Minister Boris Johnson warning against it.
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