© Provided by The iPortugal will allow visitors from the UK from Monday. (Photo: Cavan-Images via Shutterstock)
Portugal is "delighted" to be able to re-open its borders to UK holidaymakers from Monday, according to the country's secretary of state for tourism.
Britain added Portugal to its "green" list of foreign destinations earlier this week - allowing people from the UK to travel there without needing to quarantine for Covid-19 when returning home.
Portugal on Friday confirmed that tourists from the UK would be allowed to enter the country, after confusion over whether it would be open its borders to visitors.
There was uncertainty after Portugal extended its "state of calamity" until 30 May - which gives its government power to impose local lockdowns or mandatory mask wearing.
Now Rita Marques has told how the country was pleased to accept holidaymakers but warned they must wear face masks at all times, apart from at the beach, in line with the country's coronavirus restrictions.
She said on BBC Breakfast on Saturday: "We have been working hard to tackle the pandemic. so restaurants and coffee shops and shops and everything is open.
"Some restrictions apply, of course, so you have to wear a mask, you have to maintain social distancing. At the end of the day, the experience will be great.
"We are delighted but in fact we are also proud because this has been as a result of a huge, huge effort from our side in order to tackle the pandemic and the situation under control."
She added: "Masks need to be used all day long, except when you are on the beach, of course.
"So if you are going to a restaurant near the beach you should wear a mask, but if you are near the sea you don't need to wear a mask."
British football fans are expected to travel to the Portuguese city of Porto for the Champions League final between Manchester City and Chelsea on 29 May
Portuguese Cabinet office minister Mariana Vieira da Silva said under current plans for the match a series of restrictions to British fans would apply, such as them having to pass through a separate zone at the airport and needing a negative coronavirus test before travelling.