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The Council of Ministers met yesterday in an extraordinary capacity to approve new measures that aim to curb the worsening of the pandemic in Portugal. Learn about the main measures announced by the Prime Minister, António Costa, which will be applied as of this Wednesday.
Restrictions apply to 121 municipalities
Contrary to what happened in the first wave of covid-19, the restrictive measures on this occasion are aimed only at a group of 121 municipalities that cover around 70% of the population. The criteria for choosing the municipalities was announced this Saturday by António Costa: all those who have more than 240 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in the last 14 days. But there are exceptions: some municipalities were included in the list not because they exceed that threshold, but because they are surrounded by other municipalities that, yes, are above the established levels. On the other hand, municipalities with a low population density that exceed this limit only due to a specific outbreak are left off the list. Find out the counties covered by the new restrictions.
Pick up service at home
People residing in these municipalities have the civic duty of home collection. This means that they must refrain from traveling through public spaces and roads, as well as private spaces and roads similar to public roads, but the list of exceptions is very long: traveling to the workplace when it cannot be done from home, take children to school, outings to activities in day centers, to visit users in residential structures for the elderly or disabled. Travel related to the purchase of basic necessities is also authorized, as well as post offices and post offices, bank branches and travel necessary to leave mainland Portugal. It is also possible to leave home to go to see shows (theater, cinema, music) or to go to mass.
Mandatory telework
One of the most impressive measures announced by the Prime Minister is the obligation to carry out work from home, as long as it is compatible with the functions and unless there is a motivated opposition from the worker.
Out of time
António Costa also announced that the mandatory delayed schedules, already in force in the metropolitan areas of Lisbon and Porto, will be extended to these 121 municipalities. The measure applies to companies with more than 50 workers, who must have delayed entry and exit times between half and an hour. However, as is already the case in metropolitan areas, the measure cannot affect workers with children under 12 years of age or who are dependent on disabled people or pregnant women. However, it was not very clear how the authorities ensure compliance with this measure.
Restaurants close at 10:30 pm
Restaurants must close before, at 10:30 p.m. And groups are limited to six people, unless they belong to the same household. However, it should be noted that the chambers have the power to establish more restricted hours, based on the “favorable opinion of the local health authority and security forces.”
Commercial establishments close until 10pm
Apart from the restaurants, the rest of the commercial establishments must close until 10pm. Again, there are exceptions for take out, pharmacies, doctor’s offices, clinics, funeral homes, gas stations, and car rentals. Here, too, cameras can impose shorter hours.
Weddings and other celebrations
The government also prohibits celebrations and other events, such as weddings or christenings, that involve more than five people, unless they belong to the same household.
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