COVID-19

Page updated on 4 June 2022

We are aware that the Portuguese authorities have lifted the face mask regulations, however, having in mind the number of people attending WordCamp Europe 2022 and the fact that our attendees come from all over the world, we have decided to keep the face mask requirement.

Due to the nature of the Covid-19 pandemic, the current environment around travel and in-person events is dynamic and therefore changes regularly, sometimes on short notice. To ensure we can prepare for WCEU 2022, the Organising Team is continuously monitoring the situation in Porto and monitoring guidance from the Portuguese Government. It is therefore recommended to visit this page regularly as we will continue to update this page with the latest guidance.

Will WCEU 2022 be safe?

The WordCamp Europe 2022 organising team believes our community should truly be open to everyone. As such, we are committed to bringing and providing a safe and welcoming environment for all. It’s difficult to predict what the situation will be in June, however, the WCEU 2022 Organising Team is continuing to monitor updates as we progress toward the event.

More information on the Portuguese COVID-19 numbers can be found on the ECDC page for Portugal

Guidelines for Attendees, Sponsors and Volunteers

Note: The guidelines outlined below are correct as of the ‘last updated‘ date at the top of this page. Please check back for updates as we come closer to the event as details may change.

Guidelines may vary depending on the route of travel into Portugal and you can view the latest entry requirements on the Visit Portugal website.

The current entry requirements to Portugal are:

  1. A valid vaccination EU Digital COVID Certificate (with a complete vaccination schedule or with a complete vaccination schedule and a vaccine booster), OR
  2. A valid test or recovery EU Digital COVID Certificate, OR
  3. A valid vaccination certificate or recovery certificate issued by a third country under reciprocal conditions (view here), OR
  4. A negative RT-PCR Test – 72h before boarding, OR
  5. A negative Laboratory Rapid Antigen Test – 24h before boarding

Children aged under 12 do not need to present a certificate or test.

Community guidelines

(updated)

WordCamp Europe 2022 requires every attendee to maintain the following guidelines to attend the event:

  1. Face masks are mandatory inside the venue when not drinking or eating, this includes the conference, the social and the after-party events.
  2. Use hand sanitisers frequently
  3. Maintain and respect social distancing guidelines

We are aware that the Portuguese authorities have lifted the face mask regulations, however, having in mind the number of people attending WordCamp Europe 2022 and the fact that our attendees come from all over the world, we have decided to keep the face mask requirement.

Portuguese guidelines

The following guidelines are in place in Portugal:

Facial masks are mandatory…

  1. … on public transport, taxis and other means of transport (e.g. Uber)
  2. … in health facilities, such as hospitals, pharmacies and health centres
  3. … senior residences

We strongly advise you to follow the Portuguese guidelines and wear a facial mask when you are requested to do so. Don’t let a fine from the Portuguese police spoil your WordCamp experience.

Do not attend when

  • You feel even a little bit sick or unwell (cold, headache, tired)

If you experience any symptoms of Covid-19 (such as a cough, fever or difficulty breathing), you should contact the Portuguese National Health Service via telephone (+351) 808 24 24 24 (SNS24) or call 112 in an emergency.

Expectations

We expect all sponsors, volunteers, speakers, attendees, and other participants to support us in providing a safe and positive conference experience for everyone.

FAQs

Attendance FAQ

(updated)

When should I book my tickets and stay?

You can book your travel You can book your travel arrangements when you wish – just make sure that you meet the Portuguese entrance requirements and accept and respect the Portuguese and Community guidelines.

How many people will be there?

Across all attendees, volunteers, sponsors and employees at the venue, we expect a maximum of 4,500 people to be in attendance at the Super Bock Arena.

What are safety measures for social distancing?

Current Portuguese guidance is to respect a distance of 2 meters.

Do I need to be fully vaccinated?

Please refer to the Guidelines for Attendees section of this page which explains which vaccinations are required for entry to Portugal.

Is it required to be fully vaccinated to attend the event?

Please refer to the Guidelines for Attendees paragraph above which explains which vaccinations are required for entry to Portugal.

Do Portuguese citizens need to show the test/vaccine at the venue?

Please refer to the Guidelines for Attendees section above which explains what information you’ll require.

Will I need to be wearing a mask at the venue?

Despite the Portuguese regulations we require you to wear a face mask covering the nose and mouth, to be worn when in closed spaces.

Will there be masks available in the venue?

Yes, there will be free masks available for all attendees, although you’re still encouraged to bring your own.

Speakers FAQ

Will speakers need to wear a mask on stage?

Whilst presenting on stage, there is no requirement for you to wear a face covering. However, you’ll still need to wear your face covering when entering/exiting the stage and in any back-stage or preparation areas.

If WCEU 2022 decides to go online, will speakers keep their spot?

Yes, your space will be retained for the event should the event move online.

If speakers won’t be able to attend, will they be able to go with pre-recorded talk?

No, we’re unable to accommodate a pre-recorded talk at this time. Should any details change we will update speakers accordingly.

If speakers won’t be able to attend, what’s the deadline to let the Organisers know?

If your travel plans have changed, please let us know as soon as possible by emailing our team.