I took one of the first flights from Luton airport to Faro. It was very strange to see the airport so quiet with all the shops and restaurants closed, except for WHSmith and Boots.
My recommendation would be to take refreshments (non-liquid) and an empty water bottle with you, which you can fill at the water stations.
Social distancing was strictly observed and controlled in the terminal, the flight boarded in rows, and obviously wearing a mask was compulsory.
Arriving in Faro, again, it was very quiet, and there were strict controls. But there was a good "holiday" feeling when you walked out into the sunshine.
Day to day life in my town of Carvoeiro appears very normal, although there is a distinct lack of tourists – and the town is really suffering financially as it is very dependent on UK tourists.
People really can’t understand the UK government’s decision not to agree a travel corridor with Portugal or make a Foreign Office exemption for the country.
We are 300km from the "lockdown" in Lisbon – my home in the UK is fewer than 60 miles from the lockdown in Leicester!
In Portugal, the wearing of masks is a very simple rule to follow. Once you understand it, there are no grey areas, it’s very black and white.
Simply put, a mask must be worn when you enter any public premises, shops, supermarkets, banks, shopping malls, hairdressers, and so on. Everyone abides by the rule, and it is self-policing.
All the restaurants and bars are open and observing the two-metre rule, most restaurants have outdoor seating arrangements too. You only need to wear the mask if you go indoors, such as to go to the toilet.
If you are eating indoors, you wear your mask until you’re sat in your seat. Then you can remove it, but you must put it back on if you move from your seat.
The beaches are all well controlled; there is a maximum number allowed on each beach, and family groups are distanced by two metres from other non-related families. There is no overcrowding on the beaches here.
In general, you feel very safe and relaxed. The sun is shining, the sea is blue, and the country is crying out for the British tourists to return.
Jackie Steadman is the founder of Berkhamsted agency TravelTime World and splits her time between the UK and the Algarve.
