Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa announced on Saturday, November 21st new measures in the context of the state of emergency which has just been extended until at least December 8th. Among these measures, the ban on moving between municipalities during the two long weekends in December or the creation of 4 levels of risk with different measures and the obligation to wear a mask at work. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you all about the new state of emergency measures in Portugal.
New state of emergency measures in Portugal, 4 levels of risk and wearing a compulsory mask at work
Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa has announced new measures for the state of emergency. This will remain in force until 11:59 p.m. on December 8, and the Prime Minister announced this Saturday new measures to contain the Covid-19 pandemic in Portugal, such as the creation of 4 levels of risk.
In order to differentiate the measures in the municipalities with the greatest risk of contagion by Covid-19, the Portuguese government has in fact planned four levels. So far, the measures have been applied to all municipalities that recorded more than 240 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in the previous 14 days. Two new levels differentiate municipalities with more than 480 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, classified as very high risk, and those with more than 960 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, as extremely high risk. For the moment, the measures to be applied at the two highest levels will be the same.
Moderate risk - with less than 240 cases per 100,000 inhabitants (65 municipalities)
High risk - with more than 240 and less than 480 cases per 100,000 inhabitants (86 municipalities)
Rules to apply:
Maintenance of the ban on traffic on public roads 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Mandatory remote work
Maintenance of closing hours:
Commercial establishments at 10 p.m.
Restaurants and cultural facilities at 10:30 p.m.
Very high risk - with more than 480 and less than 960 cases per 100,000 inhabitants (80 municipalities)
Extremely high risk - with more than 960 cases per 100,000 inhabitants (47 municipalities)
Rules to be applied at both levels:
Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from December 1 to 8: Prohibition of traffic on public roads and closure of commercial establishments between 1 p.m. and 5 a.m.
Eve of public holidays (November 30 and December 7): Commercial establishments close at 3 p.m.
Among the decisions of the Extraordinary Council of Ministers, it should be noted the ban on movement between municipalities between 11 p.m. on November 27 and 5 a.m. on December 2 and between 11 p.m. on December 4 and 5 a.m. on December 9. On November 30 and December 7, on the eve of the two long weekends, the Portuguese government also decided to suspend all school activities.
There will also be tolerance for the civil service and a call has been made to private entities to lay off workers. The prime minister also announced that the use of masks would become mandatory in the workplace, except when posts are isolated or when there is physical separation between workers.
Until now, the use of masks was mandatory on the street - when it was not possible to maintain a physical distance - but not in the workplace.
