Portugal to reopen hotels and beaches in June

The tourist board has also created a new "clean and safe" stamp to delineate tourist activities and attractions that meet sufficient hygiene and cleanliness standards, as required by the country’s department for health, to prevent and control the spread of infection.

According to Turismo de Portugal, nearly 4,000 companies have made the necessary changes and commitments to be granted the stamp, which the tourist board said was "significant evidence of the commitment of Portuguese companies to welcome tourists in safe conditions". Further commercial services and leisure activities will resume in June.

Other "strict and rigorous" health and safety measures will remain in force, including the obligatory use of masks, two-metre social distancing rules, frequent hand washing and capacity restrictions.

There are currently no quarantine on arrival requirements upon entry to Portugal, save for the island of Madeira.

The Azores is allowing new entries, so long as they can present a confirmed negative Covid-19 certificate. Arrivals can otherwise opt for a test on arrival, or voluntary quarantine in a designated hotel.

Algarve Tourism has also vowed to have the region open for tourism this summer.

"Thanks to clear and objective measures, implemented at a very early stage, Portugal is succeeding in positioning itself internationally as an example of how to control and conduct the pandemic situation," said Turismo de Portugal.

"The concerted strategy of public health protection, support for businesses and also of strict compliance by citizens and companies with the instructions and guidelines issued by government authorities, have contributed a great deal to that situation.