18/01/2021
Portugal brings in tougher lockdown measures
Prime Minister António Costa has announced new tougher lockdown measures for the country following the consistent rise in the number of cases in the country.
In his speech to the nation, Costa stated that it is “unacceptable to maintain the levels of circulation within the public as was seen over the weekend”. He highlighted data from public transport and mobile networks which showed that over the past weekend there was only a reduction of around 30% in the circulation of people in Portugal.
He reiterated that what is important is not what prohibitions are being put in place but instead the importance of everyone protecting themselves, others, and the National Health Service (SNS) at this time.
The new rules include:
- The prohibition of the sale or delivery or click and collect service of any non-food goods, including clothing stores.
- All food areas in the shopping centers are to be closed, even to take away.
- All promotional campaigns and sales are prohibited that would encourage the movement of people.
- Parks may remain open but nobody may stop in these areas.
- Local councils are to limit access to areas that attract large concentrations of people such as riversides or seafronts. The use of benches, play parks, sports equipment, even tennis, and padel, is prohibited.
- All workers who have to work outside the home must have a valid declaration to go to work. All service companies with more than 250 employees have 48 hours to submit a list of their essential workers.
- It is prohibited to move between municipalities during the weekend.
- All establishments of any type must close at 8pm on weekdays and at 1pm on weekends, with the exception of food stores that may remain open until 5pm on weekends
- The government will now also reinforce the presence of police on the streets to enforce the lockdown rules across the country.
“This is not the time for parties or birthdays, the safety of the country is dependent on everyone, use a mask, wash your hands, maintain social distance, protect yourself and others, our health and that of everyone else is at stake,” said Costa.
