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Pingo Doce supermarkets will open earlier in the next two weekends to try to avoid large gatherings inside the stores. This and next weekend will be in effect for the 121 counties with the highest risk of contagion from the pandemic, the determination of the curfew from 1:00 p.m., determined by the government within the framework of the State of Emergency, which entered into force on the 9th.
Although the citizens in these counties be able to travel to food fin surfaces after 1pm, the Jerónimo Martins supermarket chain will open at 6:30 am the next two Saturdays and Sundays, according to Jornal de Negócios, and will close at 10 pm.
The official source Jerónimo Martins indicated to Negócios that “given the circulation limitations imposed by the state of emergency next Saturday and Sunday, and also taking into account the possibility of additional restrictions on circulation between municipalities, Pingo Doce will open most of the its stores at 6:30 am and close at 10:00 pm, thus seeking to help avoid the concentration of people in the stores in the morning ”.
Continent “is analyzing the situation”
Sonae, owner of the Continente chain, admits that “as it happened in the first wave of the pandemic,” it is “analyzing the situation” and will “adjust the hours” of the stores in each municipality, in order to “maximize security” . and the comfort “of customers. And he adds that, At this time we already have scheduled the opening hours of some stores until 8 am and we are also extending the closing hours “, without, however, indicating to which supermarkets he moved. So that the consumer can know, at all times, the opening hours of the Continent spaces, the banner says that it is ensuring that the hours are available and always updated online and on Google Maps ”.
Minipreço and Clarel with “flexible hours”
Contacted by Dinheiro Vivo, the Dia group, owner of Minipreço and Clarel, explains that, “during this phase”, the stores of the two chains “will have flexible opening and closing hours,” adapted to the locations “where they are located.” As a badge of proximity, we must continue to serve our customers in the best possible way, adapting schedules according to the specificities of each place “, highlights official source. To find out which Minipreço supermarkets have changed their opening hours, check the information available on the brand’s website.
Mercadona maintains unchanged schedules
At Mercadona, there will be no changes to the opening or closing. “We will keep the usual hours (9:00 am – 9:30 pm) in order to ensure normal supply to the Portuguese, always guaranteeing the safety and health of our employees and customers ”, added the official of the brand to Dinheiro Vivo.
Also contacted, Auchan is still “analyzing this issue”, without giving further details on the matter.
The government refuses to approve a 15-hour curfew
The mandatory curfew for the next two weekends – for the 121 municipalities with the highest pandemic risk – has aroused much criticism from sectors such as hotels and restaurants, which, they say, do not understand the exception given to supermarkets and grocery stores.
This measure, which has an effect on almost seven million people in Portugal, will not be modified yet, the Prime Minister guaranteed on Wednesday. “It’s hard to say, but we really have to avoid these big gatherings at lunchtime and hence the decision to limit it to 1 in the afternoon,” António Costa said.
“It was not by chance that we chose 1:00 pm, because we precisely have in mind what all epidemiological surveys tell us: 68% of the transmissions are being carried out at this time in moments of family and social interaction,” he justified.
Before journalists António Costa said that restaurants could operate with home delivery and added that he is “aware that the restaurant industry will be one of the sectors most affected by this crisis.”
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