Dutch school leavers fined in Portugal for partying like there’s no corona

Those affected often only find out when they are detained at airports. Photo: jvanderwolf via Depositphotos
Hundreds of school leavers have flown to Portugal. Photo: jvanderwolf via Depositphotos

More than 20 Dutch tourists have been fined in Portugal for breaching coronavirus rules and drinking in the street.

Around 2,000 school leavers and other young visitors packed the bars and cafes of Albufeira, in the Algarve, last weekend. Some establishments closed their doors because of the surging demand.

Military police had to intervene as bar owners struggled to enforce regulations such as the compulsory use of face masks and a ban on groups of more than 20 people. Locals criticised the tourists’ behaviour as disrespectful towards Portuguese teenagers who have cancelled their post-exam celebrations.

Nightclubs and most bars remain closed in Portugal, but cafes with a food licence are allowed to stay open until 11pm. The tourists said they were aware nightclubs were closed but had decided to travel anyway.

Elsewhere in Portugal, local lockdowns have been imposed in some Lisbon suburbs until July 14 following a recent spike in infections.

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