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The Government has decreed a new state of emergency for municipalities considered to be at high risk of transmission of covid-19. The regime, which came into force on November 9 and applies until at least the 23rd of the same month, was later applied to 121 municipalities. However, the Government has revised the map, increasing to 191 the municipalities covered by the restrictive measures.
In total, there are 8,445,007 people, 86.3% of the continent’s resident population, who will be affected by the new measures.
One of the biggest restrictions is related to circulation during the next two weekends, the first being (November 14 and 15) the measures only apply to 113 counties, from the 77 that were included this Thursday. On the part of the Government, it will only enter a state of emergency on November 16, so the regulations will only apply on the second weekend (November 21 and 22). It is also recalled that seven of the initial 121 municipalities were removed from the state of emergency regime this Friday, so they will not be under the responsibility of the strictest measures either.
Watch the list of 191 counties considered high risk
The decree-law that regulates the state of emergency in these municipalities was published on November 8, confirming that there would be a curfew on weekends starting at 1:00 p.m. But the various exceptions provided and the absence of some clarifications raised several doubts in society.
As such, the Government deemed it necessary to provide a clarification, which was given by the Prime Minister after the Cabinet this week.
António Costa clarified that commercial establishments can only be open on Saturdays and Sundays from 08:00 to 13:00. The only exceptions provided are the following:
- pharmacy;
- clinics and offices;
- establishments for the sale of food with doors to the street and up to 200 square meters;
- gasoline pumps
Thus, the stores in the shopping centers, regardless of the service they provide or their size, will be closed from 1:00 p.m. on the next two weekends.
This measure includes super and hypermarkets in shopping centers, since, although they are up to 200 square meters, they do not have a door to the street.
The Prime Minister’s clarification came as a result of what António Costa understood as an attempt by various sectors to try to find exceptions to the implemented rules. Although he did not mention anyone directly, everyone read in the words of the head of Government an indirect to the commercial establishments Pingo Doce, who announced the anticipation of the opening of stores at 06:30 on weekends, a measure that therefore remains without effect. .
It is also forbidden to open restaurants after 1:00 p.m., which from then on will only be able to operate to go.
These are the regulations regarding economic activity and the purchase of goods and services.
Regarding circulation if, and according to the decree-law published on November 8, it is possible to circulate on public roads between 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. on weekends with the following exceptions:
- travel to the workplace or to perform professional functions, the citizen must have a valid declaration to circulate, which can be issued by the company for which he works or by himself, if he is self-employed (health professionals, the heads of sovereign organizations and agents at the service of the State do not need a declaration);
- traveling for reasons of illness, whether their own or those of third parties who need assistance. Therefore, it is allowed to travel to pharmacies or places that provide medical care, which will be open during curfew hours;
- trips to grocery stores and supermarkets and other establishments that sell food and hygiene products, for people and animals, and, according to the government update, these establishments must be up to 200 square meters and have a door to the street;
- travel to emergency shelters for victims of domestic violence or human trafficking, as well as children and young people at risk;
- trips to assist vulnerable people, people with disabilities, children, parents, the elderly or dependents. Here, for example, the displacement of a father or mother is planned to pick up their child in the context of joint custody;
- veterinary trips;
- travel necessary to exercise freedom of the press;
- short trips on foot, unaccompanied or in the company of members of the same household who live together. Here are the so-called hygienic walks or sports activities like running;
- short walks to walk pets.
