My understanding is Portugal wants reciprocal treatment for Portuguese citizens. Whether the US bans other EU citizens is not the concern of their Immigration and Borders service.

I included the link to Covid-19 stats for the potential benefit to anyone reading this thread.

Hi!

Maitatom, as you said, we are prepared for any kind of health problems (although in a way that sometimes is not the way foreign people are used, to be treated, like for instance a Dutch gentleman I knew at hospital a few year ago that refuses, conpletely, being in his pajamas all day). He had an apedicicte (not sure is well written, I don't use translator). So did my friend. He had all the care an treatment that were needed, but I understand that his Country had different procedures. Qell, anyway, concerning health problems, there is a card in de Eurozone that assures the paymento fo treatments you might need on other contries at this zone. The problem is that although you might have everything you need here if you get ill, covid or not covid, I don't know about the costs. Concerning covid, I must say 3 months ago we were not prepared. Now we are. We closed several temporary hospitals (like the one here in Porto at Palácio de Cristal) because they were noo needed, but if the nr of cases increase, we have personal, ventilators, beds, etc).

Today is our biggest party (São João). Not this year. I took my mother (83yo, big health problems) for lunch yesterday. We had sardines, of course. It was at open air, we had masks and hand sanitizer. We used masks until the food was on the table (obviously the waiter was also wearing a mask), and we had our sardines for the 1st time this year. We were seated "in diagonal", so I was not in front of her.

The decision is yours. Trust me, you will be very welcome! It's not the tourists bringing the virus, it is already here. We just need tourists that know how to behave. But, as someone said, Portugal will be here next year. And the others to come. After all, being the oldest borders in Europe, I think we will be here for a long time!

A curiosity: we use to launch baloons (with fire inside) at this night, São João. 3 years ago that was forbidden, due to airplanes. 2020 it is allowed, no airplanes!

If someone does not understand what I write, pls let me know. It's getting more and more difficult to express myself in english.

Stay well, Fodors members! Stay healthy!

Helena

Maitaitom is from the US, so the European reciprocal arrangements won't cover him. Apparently some companies are offering medical and medical evacuation insurance that covers Covid-19, he'll need to shop around.

Helena: "If someone does not understand what I write, pls let me know. It's getting more and more difficult to express myself in english.

Stay well, Fodors members! Stay healthy!"

You express yourself very nicely - don't worry at all. :) You stay happy and healthy too.

https://www.cnbc.com/2020/06/21/trav...-coverage.html

Thanks for the link! Seven Corners is the company I use, and when I checked last month they weren't covering Covid-19.

Also I just saw a banner ad for insubuy.com. They promise CV coverage and CFAR policies. But I think they may be outside the US?

"Portugal will be here next year."

Hi Helena, With my track record, I don't know if I'll be here next year. (:

Your English is great. It doesn't look good for this year,. I am still holding out hope, however. I have my masks ready! One question: I see museums have opened back up. I'm sure they are requiring social distancing and masks. Are they also doing timed tickets? Cheers from Southern California! I hope I don't get Port stains on this.


https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...1cef41ad21.jpg

I had to cancel my trip to Portugal in April.

I don't know about visiting any museums this year.

I had a trip to Switzerland booked in mid July. Maybe I can use the ticket to reroute to Portugal instead because it's not looking likely that most EU countries will allow US visitors in, at least in July.

It doesn’t look like us Americans will be welcome anywhere in The EU:

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/23/w...ravel-ban.html.

I just checked out Seven Corners and it does appear they are covering COVID19 insurance.

Hi!

Rules for Museums are the general rules for almost anyplace: mask and social distance. Many places, however, also demand (they provide) hand sanitizer. For instance, shops in a mall. If you want to visit/buy a few things in different shops, all the times they will spray your hands with that.

In restaurants, you "can" (should) only take your mask when food and drinks are on the table (otherwise you would be talking to the waiter without mask and that is not police. But... some portuguese still did not understand this basic rule.). And if you need to go to the WC, you must wear the mask. No menu. I still don't know how restaurants are going to solve this, but right know the menu is written in a black board at the entrance, usually in portuguese and english. It is going to be complicated for those who doesn't speack neither of the languages (physical menus used to be written also in spanish, french and italian).

Masks are not mandatory if you are at open air, walking or talking, or just seeing the views.

Right now, my country is concerned about Lisbon region. More than 50% of new cases are there. For instance, in Porto, and Matosinhos (where I live) and 9 other cities neighbours to Porto, no new cases in the last 10 days. So rules for that region are a litle bit different, for instance for the all country, at open air you can be confraternizing with a group of no more than 20 people, but ins Lisbon this nr. is now of a maximum of 10 people.

We are still in June. I think that it's impossible to predict the next 2 months!

Helena

P.S: Like your mask, it's nice!

Quite a few European countries are going to ban flyers from the U.S.

And some currently only allow flyers from the US if they have either a residence permit or a long-stay visa. That may change, of course.

Portugal has its own problems.

Lisbon is being locked down on July 1 because there have been many large gatherings throughout the country.

You can buy your way into Portugal if you've got enough money. And speak the language, and pass a test.

https://www.goldenvisas.com/portugal

StCirq, you wrote: You can buy your way into Portugal if you've got enough money. And speak the language, and pass a test.

Not correct. No need for language and no test. Just the money.

And perhaps you're thinking "What are you? Prostitutes?"

And maybe my answer might be "Yes!"

Helena, if we move to Portugal, you can be our first dinner guest!

<<Not correct. No need for language and no test. Just the money.>>

OH! They must have simplified the requirements. That's good. Can you buy your way in if you have the virus? What about an STD?

Not even close to a lockdown. It applies only to 14 of the 28 Lisbon freguesias (parishes). The only people who must remain indoors were previously identified because of their degree and nature of illness. For everyone else, it's our 'civic duty' to stay at home - which the Portuguese were diligent about until the restrictions on businesses eased. Here's an English translation of the restrictions and guidelines for 1 to 14 July: https://imgur.com/a/CuMsQLM