Madeira has been at the forefront in adopting safety measures against COVID-19 since the pandemic was in its early stage - and now it is taking measures to open back up for tourists
While the scenic Portuguese island has implemented stringent measures before the global lockdown, such as limiting the entry of passengers to 100 per week, banning all non-essential flights to and from Madeira, compulsory screening and quarantining of visitors for 14-days, and the mandatory use of masks in public areas. This has resulted in some of the lowest coronavirus stats in world with just 97 cases and no deaths.
Though the measures have caused an estimated economic loss of more than ?1,000 million this year, reforms in travel, trade and daily life have been implemented in phases.
Agents can reassure potential clients that in the last couple of days Madeira re-opened public transport, religious institutions, gardens and gymnasiums, retail stores, museums, galleries, and libraries. The use of face masks has become mandatory on all public transport, commercial spaces and establishments open to the public and workplaces where it is not possible to maintain social distancing. Small restaurants, cafes and spaces in forests and protected areas have opened, while larger ones are only running takeaway services.
The famous Porto Santo beach is open to the public and other beaches will follow through in the coming days.
The beginning of June will see reopening of shopping centres and high street stores, but the trying of clothes before buying, will be banned or the provision for disinfecting the garment, after every use, will be put into practise.
Cinemas, auditoriums and theatres will be opened with marked seats, to reduce the capacity and increase physical distance between the seats.
Hairdressers and barbershops will operate only on appointment, while shopping centres will have a one-way circulation for movement, with the mandatory use of a mask.
Larger commercial areas will have the provision to open, provided minimum social distance between individuals, and other public health regulations are strictly maintained.
The Premier League will resume playing on the last weekend of May, but without an audience.
For more information, visit www.madeiraallyear.com.
Image credit: Patrick Muller
