Bathing season extension in the city beaches till 13th September

The frequentation of beaches had to be balanced with the prevention measures regarding Covid-19. The city's lovely beaches and the nice and warm weather forecast for the coming days, resulted in the extension of the bathing season in Porto, till 13th September.

This decision was announced by the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA). This decision was jointly taken by the APA and the Municipalities of Porto, Caminha, Esposende, Matosinhos, Póvoa de Varzim, Vila Nova de Gaia, Viana do Castelo and Vila do Conde, as well as the Maritime Authority and the beache's concessionaires.

The bathing season this year, in Portugal, runs from 27th June till 30th August.

This summer, blue flags are swaying in all beaches in Porto. Porto Coastal area is granted the Blue Flag quality seal as all its nine beaches were awarded this eco-label in recognition of their quality standards, namely Pastoras, Carneiro, Ourigo, Ingleses, Luz, Gondarém, Molhe, Homem do Leme and Castelo do Queijo.

The Blue Flag represents a commitment to both people and the environment and it is one of the world's most recognised voluntary eco-labels awarded to beaches that meet a series of stringent environmental, educational, safety, and accessibility criteria.

Also, under the current pandemic, a team from the Water Pavilion, managed by the municipal company Águas do Porto, not only promotes the environmental education but also raises awareness on the importance of human behaviour to prevent Covid-19 outbreaks.

For that matter, going to the beach means that there has to be compliance with all the rules issued by the health authorities, so that each and every one is safe.

All equipment to support bathing was reviewed in 2020 to ensure compliance with hygiene and safety requirements, recommended by the Portuguese Environment Agency and the Directorate-General for Health.

Among the adopted measures are the establishment of different circulation lanes to entry and exit the beach, intensification of sanitation, cleanliness to bathing support equipment, awareness raising regarding Covid-19 preventive measures and the definition of a contingency plan with detailed procedures and guidelines that must be observed when going to the beach amid a pandemic.

The Portuguese Environment Agency (APA) explained that this decision to extend the bathing season correlates with the "expectation that the population continues to enjoy the northern beaches during the first fortnight of September".