Covid-19 Updates

Dear followers,

As you may know through all the social media, Madeira Island is one of the safest regions of Portugal with a small number of infected and no deaths reported until this day.
With this scenario the Government are reviewing measures for the safe living in Madeira Island.

At the moment most of the commerce is open, schools are open and as from the 1st of July Madeira can be visited without any mandatory quarantine, travelers will be tested on arrival to ensure that Madeira continues to be a safe place to be. Alternatively you can present a negative test done 72h before arrival.

We will be updating you here about what to expect when visiting Madeira & Lobosonda – updated on the 30th October

Current situation in Madeira:

• 161 cases reported
• No deaths from the virus were reported in the region.
• Only 13 cases of transmission within local community
• The use of masks is mandatory in closed and public spaces & transportation from the age of 6 years old

Travel information:

• Persons travelling to Portugal will be required to fill out an epidemiological survey. The survey will be made available in several languages & can either be completed online 12 to 48 hours prior to departure or filled out upon arrival.
• Visitors arriving on the island are required to undergo a Covid-test to prove that they are free of the coronavirus. Visitors can get themselves tested in certified laboratories within 72 hours of departure or be tested for free upon arrival at Madeira. We recommend doing the test before traveling but it was reported it doesn’t take too long to be tested (about 45min). Persons tested upon arrival in Madeira have to stay indoors until the test results become available, which normally is quite fast – within 12h you have your results. You will remain under surveillance during your stay with an app supplied by the assistants at the airport.
• Upon arrival all passengers will be required to do a thermal screening at the airport.
• If your test becomes positive, you will be directed to a designated hotel. You have to comply with the Government rules and stay in quarantine in these hotels until you test negative.

Relevant changes at Lobosonda:

• We have a formation from Portuguese Tourism about the Health & Safety and we now have the “Clean & Safe” label
• From the 1st of August we are working with the full capacity of the boats.
• Social distancing rules must be respected
• Disinfection of hands when entering/exiting our shop & boats
• Temperature control at check-in (If you record temperature above 37,8ºC you will be asked not to board our boats, for safety reasons)
• Use of mask is mandatory in closed & public spaces
• Personal belongings can not be left in the shop
• Guests must attend the safety briefing 30 minutes before the tour

What to bring for a tour:

• Sunhat, water to drink, comfortable clothing, sunglasses
• Your own mask (kids under 6 years old are not obliged to use the mask)
• Optional but recommended: hand disinfectant

Snorkelers are advised to additionally bring their own snorkelling equipment (mask & snorkel) and a towel.

For further information regarding health & safety regulations for your travels to Madeira please visit: https://www.portaldiplomatico.mne.gov.pt/ or https://covid19.min-saude.pt/ or https://covidmadeira.pt

We will also provide all our followers with constant updates on our blog & on social media. If you have any further questions contact us under: info@lobosonda.com ?

We are ready to whalecome you!

By Marlene Cabral & Paula Thake