Covid Testing in Madeira

Tobi Hughes·
Madeira News

Peter Groen has another article on the Covid-19 testing and everything you need to know when coming to Madeira.

Click below yo continue reading.

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Tobi Hughes

80 Responses

    1. Hello, I am due to fly to Madeira from UK (Manchester) on Friday 16/10. I am having trouble putting my UK mobile number on the Madeira Safe from. I have clicked on the Portugese flag on the drop down box but it won’t accept it. I have tried dropping the first zero of my number but still no joy, can anyone help please, I am not techno savvy ? as you can probably tell.

      1. You need to click the UK flad as you are putting a UK number this should put the 0044 code in place then you drop the first zero of your number and put the rest.

      2. Also when you have done this you will get a Qr Code take a screen shot of this so you have it as an image in your photo gallery, this is much faster this end, and you won’t need to have the Internet to try and retrieve it.

  3. A great article – thanks. Does anyone know what happens if one of a family group tests positive at the airport? Do they all need to quarantine? If you have a hotel booked can you quarantine at that hotel or is it somewhere else?

      1. Hi 4 of us travelled on 7th Sept no time for PCR as it was a change in destination so we all had an NHS test to be sure …..all negative but when we arrived 1 of us came back inconclusive & day after positive. All 4 on plane & in taxi together but me & hubby left to carry on our holiday but couple we travelled with not so lucky basically locked up in an apartment block. Cut a very long story short our friend who tested positive is still there because so far not got a negative test …no symptoms not been ill which I know is common….his wife who had to isolate the whole time with him was allowed to fly home with us with no test. Thankfully but makes no sense ?? My advice is only go with a negative PCR within the 72hrs

  4. I have registered my parents under Madeira safe got my mums passport number in but for my dad it clicked off and I have not put passport number in and now when we log in I can not see where we add can anyone advise

  5. Thanks Tobi, this is a really useful article from Peter Groen that you have published. I am coming back to Madeira in December and have spent hours trying to find ways of getting a private test done in the UK before travelling. At the moment the home test kits are costing £149 and there is no guarantee that the results will be back in time before the flight.

    1. The problem with home testing kits is that there is no proof of when the test was done, only when the results were generated.

  6. Hi peter, don’t understand how you print off we code it’s for my mum and dad they go on the 28th, they share a phone but I have got them 2 separate email addresses, I take it once you complete the form with correct details of seat etc it will generate a code ? They don’t have smart phones

  7. Scheduled to travel BA on Fri 2nd Oct and wondering if there are any limitations to acceptability of private UK pre-travel Covid tests? Specifically, given the cost / practicalities of an in-clinic test, I’m am considering an “at home” test via a postal lab service – taken within the mandated 72hrs and backed by a “fit to fly” PDF certificate which can be uploaded to my Madeira Safe account. All thoughts much appreciated!

  8. To Geoff J
    Only problem with home testing kit is that the results have to be back with you 72 hours before flying and when I asked about this I was told that it was down to the postal service. If it doesn’t come back in time you have spent £149 for nothing.

    1. The other area of doubt with home test kits is proof of when the test was done. The certificate just proves the time the test results were generated.

      1. The risk inherent In Christine’s comment is understood, and I get Maurice’s observation. But I really need a definitive answer as to whether a home test will be accepted on arrival. I’ll try to contact the relevant authorities in Madeira and report back if I succeed.

  9. There are girls to help you at airport if you do not register correctly. Ian not sure whathappens if you do not have smart phone but ithink it will be sorted out.allow1-1.5 hours in queue .test not particularly pleasant. Then you got to your accommodation and isolate.results often come through at night

  10. Peter’s article is detailed, well organised, packed with useful information and I agree with Maurice that it is a must-read for visitors.

    And I concur with Rebecca too: Madeira is a fine example to the world of how to do things well, if only anywhere else in the world was paying attention.

    1. Jacqueline, if you go through Peter’s article look for the following chunk of text:–

      “Finally, click/tap ‘QR-code’. The code appears. You can either print it and take it with you, but it is more practical to go to madeirasafe.com in your smartphone, allow the app to install and hey presto, you can display the QR on your Phone. Very handy when you arrive at Madeira airport. The QR code is linked to all your information and speeds up the whole process considerably.”

      1. I would advise to take a screen shot of the QR code, much quicker to bring it up from your photo gallery and you don’t need Internet. If you are having problems with anything there are many people there to help you and the process is very quick…

  12. Sorry to go on about this, but many UK labs offer certified, fit-to-fly home PCR swab test, with results deliverable within the 72hr deadline. Does this mean UK arrivals with such test certificates have wasted their money and are therefore subject to the airport test regime? No criticism of the superb service, just that I’d prefer peace of mind prior to travel (and less down time on arrival)
    Thanks

    1. OK o think these ones are OK, but some people have been waiting more than a week for results of some home tests I’m not sure if there is a difference. As long as its in the 72 hours of departure it’s fine.

  13. Yes Maurice I have seen this , I am asking does it give you a QR CODE once you put your flight no in as I have completed everything but no we code

  14. My parents are older they don’t have camera on phone so it’s not that easy , my dad is very old school pen and paper , but thanks for advice

    1. Jacqueline as mentioned in Peter’s article there are is a great number of friendly and helpful staff at arrival that will guide everyone through the process. Having a login and QR code helps saving some time but in case you parents are not able to do so the staff at the airport will help them to go through the process. Everyone there speaks english fluently and they will find alternatives to whoever does not have a smartphone. Probably they will get a text message.

      1. Thank you so much for your help , they have registered and they have a phone that they share but not smart phone , they have separate email and an I pad , they even have a home on Madeira so think all will be ok

  15. OK, to wrap up the question of self-testing in the UK, to obtain a definitive answer I contacted the official body responsible, Unidade de Emergência em Saúde Pública (UESP).

    They advise that home test results are NOT acceptable, even if certified. However, this is not for the reasons suggested in earlier posts but, rather, because the test can only be effectively undertaken by a health professional. The following are taken from emails earlier today (Sunday 20th)

    “ It is very difficult for the patient to perform the collection without the help of a health professional, as the collection must be carried out both in the pharynx and in the nasal mucosa“.

    “This means that a valid test that complies with the one requested by the Government of Madeira, is one in which the collection is performed by a doctor, nurse or other health professional, in a certified laboratory.“

    I hope this information is useful to others who may misguidedly waste money on a self test.
    So, a lab test it is then!

    1. This is what I think, o know a lot of people who have done the test and the results have not come through or inconclusive, and this is beacaue the test was not done properly. I wonder how someone can do this test themselves or get a friend or partner to do it, I think it’s almost impossible… ? ?

  16. This article is not complete.
    And is only for people with children older than twelve years old .
    Greetings Erik from the Netherlands

  17. An extremely well written article. I read every word including the postscript. Peter understands the questions which need answered. Very well done. Thank you. ?

  18. Can some of you confirm what Peter has been saying about carry-on luggage in the cabin? Has this really been the case recently? Not allowed? ?
    I travel with thousands of dollars worth of camera equipment, lenses, a drone, tripods, and everything else needed with that. My carry on is 43lbs. ?? I always travel business class and never once had an issue with that.
    I would be really scared to let it out of my sight.
    I would appreciate any information if any of you had this experience.
    Thank you! ?

    1. Best to check with the airline that you are using. There should be information on their website.

    2. No you can still take carry on luggage especially if you are in business class you wouldn’t have a problem, I think they are just trying to put as much in the hold, so people are quicker off the flights.

    3. With BA I was sent an email before my return flight to Heathrow saying that I could check my cabin bag in the hold for free as it was a ‘busy flight’ but only if I wanted to. As it happened there were a few empty seats so I think they just want to make the boarding process quicker. It certainly wasn’t banned anyway.

  20. Absolute respect to any individual’s decision not to travel anywhere at the moment. It’s not simply a consideration of the destination, rather also that in some countries, travel to the airport in the home country can bear a risk, notwithstanding airports and flights themselves.

    For those who do wish to travel, I have not heard or read about any destination in the world with a complete system as well delivered as Madeira, protecting both locals and visitors. Or so I thought. Until I read this:

    https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-animals-helsinki-finland-dogs-c93538b825d86908a480b2af6d36843b

    So it’s Madeira or Finland – your choice.

    3. Haha – brilliant, thank you Antonio. So I will change the choice to:
      It’s Madeira or Madeira.

  21. Hi, im coming to Madeira from Bristol on Monday 12th October. Is there anyone that has flown from Bristol with a test already done. Im wondering what day I need to take the test and where they had there test done. Any help would be appreciated. I can get a test on 8th Oct with results on 10th but not sure if thats right. Do I take test 72 hours before flight or do I need negative result 72 hours before. Many thanks ?

  22. PCR-based testing produces a high number of false positive results which forced many people into quarantine. Whole economies are affected, Madeira Island is an example. The USA / Germany based lawyer Dr. Reiner Fuellmich is preparing a class-action suit at US courts, where European victims of PCR tests can participate to claim economic damages. Google: “Reiner Fuellmich pcr class action”.

  23. Fantastic blog thank you to Tobi and Peter for all the information. We miss our Madeira fix and hopefully will be arriving in November again. I just wish that UK could be as organised as Madeira! At leasst we know who to ask if there are any problems. Just hope our government or Jet2 doesn’t stop flights to Funchal. Many thanks and salutations from two regular visitors.

  24. Sorry if I haven’t been answering questioins here. I have been very busy to answer the many, many equations at the bottom of my article. If there are any more questions, please put them there, as I see them immediately and answer everyone. Thanks to Tobi, Steve, Maurice and anyone who has been answering here.

  26. We arrived yesterday at around 11:40am collected our luggage and had the test performed and we were in our taxi one hour later. 9 hours after the test we both had our tests back, both negative. The procedure was great very efficient and everyone was friendly and very helpful. Well done Madeira.

  27. We arrived yesterday at 15:30, had the test done and were outside of the airport in less than an hour.
    Results came 8 hours later.
    Very impressed with the organisation, and we still got a banana.
    Of course the people who tried to jump the queue when leaving the plane were passed by us because they hadn’t registered…

  28. I need some help.
    In Madeira, there are new cases, confirmed cases, recovered cases. For me it is a bit confusing.
    Does anybody know, where I can find the numbers which tell us
    ____[1] total number of tests done ____ [2] total number of positive tests thereof ____ in Portugal or Madeira.
    I don´t speak Portuguese, but I can understand Portuguese websites.
    I really would appreciate replies.

      1. I don’t know what you find confusing, the confirmed cases are those from the very being in March. New cases are from each day, and then the recovered cases are people who have tested negative after being positive. Active case are how many people are positive at this moment.

  29. Following on from my earlier post: ahead of our BA flight on 2nd Oct, for peace of mind (and per the guidance of the Madeiran authorities) my wife and I opted for a pre-travel in-clinic COVID test via the super efficient Heathrow Medical Services. This was taken 70hrs prior to departure with results received and uploaded in 48hrs. By way of “belts & braces” we also uploaded loads of supporting evidence as PDFs, e.g. Invoice (clearly showing appointment time), the clinic test forms for each of us (signed & timed by the nurse) and even pics of the test being taken! We also took copies with us. Not sure if this evidence was necessary but on showing the QR code to the arrival Covid team, the tests were validated in less than a minute and we were sent on our way. Touch down to hotel in less than an hour, and straight out on the town with no need to isolate!
    FYI. The mobile signal at the airport was poor and I was unable to access the Madeira Safe site. So having a hard copy of the QR code proved invaluable!
    As an aside, the hotel did NOT ask for evidence of the validation as this was deemed a personal matter. So, in theory, if we’d opted to take the airport test option, there was nothing to prevent us going out – other than our consciences of course!
    Hope this info helps others with their travel plans!

    1. This is very helpful thanks unfortunately finding it impossible to get through to the Heathrow medical centre guess they are very busy but anxious now

  30. Anyone want to know what happens if you don’t test negative when you arrive ? I/we know ….& we had all tested negative in UK before just not time for the required PCR

    1. Yes please I do want to know what happens if when we arrive we test positive
      We are both well have been very careful kept to all the guidance here in the UK but am not naive enough to believe we could have a problem Have researched where we live no way of getting tested and having results guaranteed within the timeframe needeD So am anxious

      2. Hi Jane
        2 couples travelled together on 7th Sep, unfortunately 1 of us tested positive not me or hubby. The couple in question were originally told they would have to isolate in hotel, but then no Madeira Health get involved & they were moved th a “facility” an apartment block & treated like they had the plaque, water to drink & awful food. BUT the thing is which we certainly didn’t know you don’t get released until you test negative & our friend is still there as cannot get a negative test…..which is definitely something to think about.

        1. Oh dear what a terrible situation Am presuming he is still testing positive rather than he cannot get tested ?
          Hope it all gets sorted soon
          Jane

        2. Anyone that travels abroad right now must be fully aware of the entry requirements in each country. It is clearly stated everywhere that people who test positive at the airport will be taken to the hotel. If they were given the chance to stay at an apartment which is more than just one room maybe its an improvement. If they don´t like they food they are given for FREE they can always use their cell-phones and ask for take away food to be delivered.

          It is also stated that you are only allowed to leave this condition when testing negative. This information is clearly stated everywhere. You DO need to prepare your journey.

            1. We have been told 1 negative test & our friend will be on next available plane, hope this isn’t more misleading information

  31. Hi Tobi,

    greetings from Ponta do Sol and thanks for your reply. The part to which you responded is clear now.
    But my first question, the important one, remains open.
    If I don´t know how many persons got tested IN TOTAL. I cannot calculate the percentage of people tested positve. After some digging I found this information of the German Government “CDC”, which is RKI or Robert Koch Institute, on page 8 of this weekly bulletin:

    https://www.rki.de/DE/Content/Infekt/EpidBull/Archiv/2020/Ausgaben/40_20.pdf?__blob=publicationFile

    You can see in the table on page 8, In the 39th week of this year:

    1.153.075 = total tests made /
    14.044 = thereof tested positive /
    1,22 = the percentage of positive tests /

    Unfortunately I haven´t found the English version of this weekly bulletin yet. I wonder whether the equivalent is somewhere available for Portugal. It provides a clearer picture to the overall development of Covid-19.

    1. Hi I just asked a friend, and this is the number of tests till yesterday. 

      119, 229

      And 32500 more  in the mainland, paid by madeira government  (for those that are coming to Madeira).  72h or less, befor embark.

  32. Tobi, thank you very much. That is great news.
    119,229 + 32500 = 151,729 total tests from the beginning.
    235 casos confirmados (on the dashboard https://covidmadeira.pt/dashboard/)
    = 0.15 percent positive cases which really show symtoms, if I understand correctly.

    2. It is not positive cases that show symptoms, it is positive cases identfied (with or without symptoms). In the CovidMadeira website you can find a daily bulletin which shows the number of samples collected (total each day, so to know the number for each day just calculate the difference). The average number of daily tests performed in the island is from 1500 to 2000.

  33. Does anyone know once you are in Madeira do you have to fill in the inquiry form daily that they send you by email ? My mum and dad are in Madeira and they get emails daily , they don’t have smart phone , they both tested negative nearly two weeks ago , but they get emails saying have you filled your inquiry today …., do it here, when you do log in and complete it , it then follows on to say thanks for completing see you tomorrow and people who are under surveillance need to check in daily ( I would say coz of negative test they are not being monitored ? Any advice will be appreciated

  34. There seems to be a lot of confusion as to what you can or cannot do on arrival. Some hotels are being strict and telling clients to stay in their rooms whilst others are apparently saying clients CAN use the bar, pool etc but must stay in the hotel.

    It seems some who are staying in ALs are going out before they have received the all clear. The word is that at the testing station at the airport the staff are not emphasising that people must stay in their rooms until contacted.

  35. Has anybody been told about the Ct value used to do the tests in Madeira?
    In some countries the “cycle threshold” value comes back with the test result.
    The higher the Ct value or amplifications done in the lab, the higher the possibility to arrive at a positive result. Some governments like Germany are using a Ct value of over 40, returns more people as “positiv”.
    Does anybody know what Ct value is used in Portugal or Madeira Island? It should be much lower.

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