According to the MAI, during the same period, 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 last Sunday (January 30), the PSP and SEF inspected 1,994,511 passengers and 18,701 flights, which resulted in in 2,848 offences.

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, 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, between 300 and 800 euros, for not presenting a test on arrival.

MAI data also show that, in the same period, 2,887 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, until January 10, 21,121 random inspection actions at land borders to ensure tests for covid-19, according to the MAI.

Within the scope of these operations, 124,462 inspections were carried out on light and goods vehicles, motorcycles, trains, buses, which gave rise to 42 administrative offense notices for lack of a test or recovery certificate.

The MAI also mentions that 562 diagnostic tests were carried out at land borders.

Control at the border areas will last until February 9.