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The country returns this Thursday, October 15, to the state of calamity in which it was already in April. At that time, it was a step down (from emergency to calamity), now it has risen: from the state of contingency imposed a month ago, the government is now moving towards public calamity.
Prime Minister António Costa told the newspaper “Público” that a “shakeup” was necessary. This smoothie will last at least 15 days and will change a few things. Let’s start there.
1. What changes with calamity?
Provided in Law n. 27/2006, this state of exception increases the powers of the António Costa executive, allowing him to “adopt, when necessary, measures that are justified to contain the pandemic, from restrictions on movement to other measures that are concretely and locally justified”, as read on the website of the Directorate General of Health. The government can now reimpose health and safety fences, as happened in Ovar, which, for now, is not yet on the table. The state of calamity “determines a special obligation of collaboration of the communication media”, reads the decree-law, “aimed at the dissemination of relevant information related to the situation”, and raises “the level of preparation” of the Armed forces.
2. Will I be fined if I don’t wear a mask on the street?
Not yet. The Government strongly recommends “the use of a community mask on public roads for all citizens” when it is not possible to maintain a distance of two meters between people. However, the idea of the executive is that this recommendation becomes the letter of law. The proposal has already been sent to the deputies, the approval is missing, and yes: if it is approved, it imposes fines on those who do not comply.
3. Can I go to the cafe with five friends?
That wouldn’t give six people. The gatherings, which until now had a limit of 10 people, increase to a maximum of five. It means that six friends cannot go together to a coffee shop, a restaurant, a store, a mall, or even a garden.
4. Can I go play ball with them?
Yes. The government has not changed the rules for sports.
5. Can I invite you to my wedding?
Yes, as long as the total number of gifts does not exceed 50 people. This is the limit imposed on family or friend gatherings, such as baptisms, weddings and the like. For those who were already booked, nothing changes: the rule only began to count for events scheduled from yesterday, October 14.
With the country in a state of calamity, the Government decided to proceed with eight measures and restrictions that came into effect at 0:00 am on Thursday. This is the list
6. My household has six people. Can we go to a restaurant together?
Yes. The limit of five people in restaurants, in shopping centers, in public spaces, on the street, has one exception: cohabitants. Therefore, large families, for example, may continue to frequent these spaces together.
7. I have a restaurant. What changes for me?
Three things. First, the groups: from now on, you cannot accept group dinners with more than five people, when the limit was 10 until now, unless you separate them. The fines will also change if it does not do so, which can now reach up to 10,000 euros, when “scrupulous compliance with current regulations regarding capacity and removal that must be ensured is not ensured.” And, finally, the ASAE inspection changes, which will be “reinforced”.
8. Will theaters and cinemas remain open?
Yes. Meetings do not mean public, so nothing changes when you attend events like theater and movies. The same applies to other shows with an audience, as well as sporting events. It does not mean that the General Directorate of Health will not limit events such as the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Portimão, scheduled for the weekend of October 23-25, that is, within the 15-day period of the state of calamity. However, none of this is part of the eight measures already announced.
9. Can the government force me to install the StayAway Covid app? Will I be fined if I don’t have it?
It is too early to answer. A recommendation for the installation of the new coronavirus detection app came from the Council of Ministers on Wednesday. And the aforementioned proposal, which will be debated in the Assembly of the Republic, also includes the mandatory use of the application. But with two exceptions: 1) it is applied only “in school, professional and academic contexts, in the Armed Forces, in the Security Forces and in the Public Administration as a whole”; 2) not only can the deputies fail, but also stop it by other means: the National Commission for Data Protection told the newspaper “Público” that it will take a precautionary measure, because the rule “raises serious questions related to the privacy of citizens” . For now, the application is optional.
10. Are the above measures still in force?
Yes. The measures envisaged during the state of contingency, such as the prohibition of the sale of alcoholic beverages in service stations and, after 8:00 p.m., in all cafes and restaurants (except during lunch), as well as the prohibition of the street consumption, they remain as they have been here.
