According to the MAI, 41 airlines were also fined for boarding these passengers without a negative test.

In an assessment of this measure to control cases of covid-19, MAI told the Lusa agency that, between December 1 and January 23, PSP and SEF inspected 1,823,533 passengers and 16,966 flights, which resulted in 2,546 offences.

Of the 2,546 infringement notices, 1,677 were raised by the PSP, which controls passengers from flights originating in the Schengen area (European area of ​​free movement of people), and 869 by the SEF, which inspects travellers from countries outside the Schengen area. .

Since December 1, 2021, all passengers arriving in Portugal by air are required to present a negative test or a recovery certificate upon disembarkation.

Passengers on domestic flights, children under 12 years of age and crews are exempt from the obligation of testing, either PCR or rapid.

Airlines that carry passengers without a negative test incur a fine of between 20,000 and 40,000 euros per passenger and travellers are also subject to a fine of between 300 and 800 euros, for not presenting a test on arrival.

MAI also states that the 2,546 administrative offenses include eight foreigners who were refused entry into the country because they did not present a test on arrival.

The MAI data also show that 2,585 diagnostic tests were carried out at airports for passengers who entered the country without this document.

At land borders, also since December 1, citizens of countries outside the European Union and EU countries considered to be at red or dark red risk need a negative test or a recovery certificate.

Citizens from EU countries considered to be at low or moderate risk must have a vaccination, test or recovery certificate to enter Portugal.

The GNR and the Foreigners and Borders Service carried out 19,499 random surveillance operations at land borders until January 23 to ensure tests for covid-19, according to the MAI.