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The new state of emergency begins this Monday, lasts until November 23 and the Government announced on Saturday night what this means in concrete terms.
In the 121 most troubled counties, curfews are restricted on weekdays (between 11 pm and 5 am) and enforced on the following two weekends (between 1 pm and 5 am). Commerce and restaurants will be covered, except for take away food.
If the curve does not flatten, the limits on free movement will extend until December and may approach the March lockdown. António Costa admitted that even in the meetings he had with the parties last week.
For now, this is what changes:
Saturdays and Sundays: on the street only in the morning (with exceptions)
During the next two weekends (November 14, 15, 21 and 22) you will not be able to leave the house between 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. the next day. That is, you can only circulate on public roads in the morning.
This rule has exceptions. You can drive to or from work, go to a health center, pharmacy or help a family member who is sick, take pets for a walk or take a hygienic walk around the area near the residence.
Weekdays: at home from 23:00 to 05:00 the next day
From Monday to Friday, the curfew runs between eleven at night and five in the morning. With the same exceptions applied to weekends.
No fines
Non-compliance is not “a criminal matter,” the prime minister said. Citizens who do not comply can be taken home by the authorities. But there are no fines.
Restrictions on trade and catering
Business will have to close during curfew time for the next two weekends, in 121 counties. Restaurants can only operate in to carry out until 1:00 p.m. and later, with home delivery of meals. On weekdays, hours are still in effect: restaurants can operate until 10:30 p.m. and stores until 10 p.m. in the corresponding 121 counties.
Mandatory tests
It is now possible to request rapid tests for covid-19 in health establishments, homes, schools, prisons and on arrival in Portugal by air and sea. The measure is valid for all municipalities in mainland Portugal.
Temperature measurement
It is possible to require diagnostic tests in health establishments, residential structures, educational establishments, at the entrance and exit of the national territory, by air or sea, in Penitentiary establishments and in other places, as determined by the General Directorate of Health.
Public officials and teachers requisitioned
Public employees in prophylactic isolation or without activity because they belong to risk groups and teachers without a teaching component will be mobilized to monitor and monitor covid-19. Objective: to mitigate pressure on health systems. More than a thousand officials and teachers will be summoned.
Private health facilities required
The State may request resources, means and health services from the private and social sector, after an agreement has been reached and with just compensation.
Everything can change on Thursday
The list of covered councils will be updated every 15 days and the next review will take place in the council of ministers next Thursday. António Costa did not rule out the possibility of having to proceed with more restrictions. The criterion adopted so far was the one that is being followed internationally: 240 cases of contagion per 100,000 inhabitants, registered in the previous 14 days, require toughening of the regulations.
The Government has approved successive packages of measures as the numbers of the epidemic evolve. A week ago, before the state of emergency, the following limitations had already been imposed.
– Restaurants forced to close at 10:30 p.m.
– The mayors of the town councils may set a closing time below the established maximum limit, with the prior favorable opinion of the local health authority and the security forces.
– Events and celebrations with more than five people are prohibited, unless they belong to the same household.
– Mayors decide to hold fairs and emerging markets.
– Mandatory teleworking whenever the functions in question allow it, unless the employee is disabled.
– Exceptional and temporary labor reorganization regime applicable to companies with jobs of 50 or more workers.
