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The country began a mild and gradual deflation on March 15, but during this Easter period the government announced that the rules would have to be stricter. The objective is that people do not move out of the municipality of residence so that infections, deaths and hospitalizations do not start again, as happened just after Christmas.
Being so, from midnight this Thursday to Friday there are restrictions that must be adhered to. The general duty of home collection is mandatory and movement between municipalities is prohibited for the next 11 days.
Can I leave my municipality during the next week and until the Easter weekend?
No. The Government established in the last decree-law that determines the rules for deflation, that the week between March 26 and April 5 will have stricter rules to prevent the movement of people to celebrate Holy Week and thus avoid the risk of contagion by covid. -19. Therefore, from midnight, from this Thursday to Friday, March 26, and until April 5, it is forbidden to circulate between municipalities. At this time, this rule was only in effect for the weekend, but due to Easter it will go into effect for the next 11 days.
Can I be fined if I decide to leave my municipality before March 26 to spend a few days outside my area of residence?
Yes, you risk being fined because during this period, from March 26 to April 5, there is a mandatory collection duty at home. All trips outside the home should be avoided as much as possible and should only be done for strictly necessary reasons: shopping, to a pharmacy, taking the car to the mechanic, going to a bookstore, pet store, etc.
Will the business that reopened about a week ago continue to operate?
Yes. During weekdays, all commercial establishments can operate until 9:00 p.m. and on weekends and holidays only until 1:00 p.m. In the case of food retail, it is authorized to operate on weekends until 7:00 p.m.
This means that you cannot cross the border of your municipality to go to a bookstore, for example, but you can do it in your municipality of residence.
Despite these stricter restrictions due to Easter, can I get food at a restaurant?
Yes, it is allowed to do so, again, within your county of residence. The esplanades of cafes and restaurants will only reopen on April 5, if the number of infections remains stable and at that time only four people will be able to sit at each table on the esplanades.
Can I play sports in the street or go for a walk?
Yes. These activities are still authorized, but they must always be carried out at the place of residence and for short periods of time. Don’t forget that if you are approached by authorities, proof of your address may be required to confirm that you did not take a hygienic walk several kilometers from your home. The municipalities can also determine, during the next few days, the closure of places where there is usually an agglomeration of people, such as marginals, parks, gardens, walls next to the beach, etc.
Can I go to the hairdresser before Easter?
Yes. In the case of hairdressers, barbers or beauty salons, the rule remains to be done in advance, but it is allowed to go to these places.
And what rules are there for religious celebrations?
Masses with the presence of the faithful have been authorized since last March 15. Leaving home to go to a religious celebration became part of the authorized trips. However, for the Easter period, the bishops asked priests to avoid processions and other celebrations due to the risk of contagion and crowding. The Portuguese Episcolar Conference issued a statement giving an account of the rules that must be followed. On Palm Sunday, priests and faithful can carry the olive branch with them, but the exchange or delivery of branches is prohibited. The “foot washing” ceremony on Holy Thursday was canceled. The celebrations of Fátima will be broadcast online, the faithful will be able to follow them online and the presence of the faithful who are inhabitants of the municipality of Ourém, where the Shrine of Fátima is located, will only be allowed.
Can I travel outside of Portugal?
No. The borders between Portugal and Spain will remain closed during the next week, to avoid the traditional displacements during this Easter period. Also, all travel by plane, car or boat is prohibited. The only exceptions are for those who need to leave the country to provide assistance to vulnerable people, for professional or volunteer reasons. Anyone who is returning to the country can do so, but must present a negative test for covid-19 that was done 72 hours before boarding.
The fines were doubled:
Fines for those who do not comply with the inter-municipal driving ban or the mandatory use of a mask have recently doubled. Last February, the Government decided that the fines will range between € 200 and € 1000 for individuals and € 2000 and € 20,000 for legal entities.
Since the beginning of the year, the security forces have been instructed to immediately collect fines from anyone who violates the prison rules.
