Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa said today that he spoke with the President of the Republic and that the government has begun informing and hearing all parties represented in parliament about new measures to combat the covid-19 pandemic. Mandatory teleworking, club closures, group restrictions on public roads, and limited capacity for commercial space and cultural events are just a few of the announced measures.
Antonio Costa was speaking at a press conference at the National Palace of Ajuda after the government met this morning for an extraordinary council of ministers to take new measures to prevent and combat the covid-19 pandemic.
The government has decided to extend the period during which telecommuting is mandatory, specifying that the regime will take effect from 00:00 on December 25, the Prime Minister said today.
“[Decidimos] to anticipate already at the beginning of next week, by 00:00 on December 25, a set of measures that we had only for a week of disagreements, and, therefore, from 00:00 on the next 25th, remote work will become mandatory, “said the Prime Minister Antonio Costa at the end of an extraordinary meeting of the Council of Ministers, at which additional measures were approved to contain the spread of COVID-19 infection.
Thus, remote work is assumed to be mandatory, compared to what was approved by the Council of Ministers on November 25, which decided to create a week of discord between January 2 and 9, with remote work being mandatory during this period.
On December 1, when the country found itself in distress, it was decided that, barring a week of strife, telecommuting would be recommended again.
Please be aware that teleworking was no longer recommended as of October 1.
Kindergartens and ATLs will close early in the morning of 25 December.
The closure of kindergartens and workshops on leisure activities (ATL), which was scheduled for the “week of strife” from January 3-9, has been postponed to December 25, the Prime Minister announced today. …) We are going to continue, with the support of families, to close kindergartens and ATLs, ”he said, given the worsening epidemiological situation in Portugal.
Government banned more than 10 people from driving on public roads on New Year’s Eve
More than 10 people are prohibited from gathering on public roads on New Year’s Eve. The prime minister also announced a ban on the use of alcoholic beverages on public roads.
A negative test is required at New Year’s Eve parties, casinos and restaurants
Access to restaurants, casinos and New Year’s Eve parties will require a negative covid-19 test, with this requirement extending on December 24, 25, 30 and 31 and January 1.
“On the 24th and 25th of this month, December 30 and 31 and January 1, it is necessary to conduct and present a negative test for access to restaurants, casinos and New Year’s parties,” the prime minister said.
A negative test is also required to enter hotels and local accommodation establishments, as well as to access family ceremonies such as weddings and baptisms, and business events.
Discos and bars are closed from Saturday
The closure of discos and dance-floor bars that the government has designated for the mainland in the first week of January will be pushed back to Saturday the 25th, the executive said today. The decision takes effect from 00:00 Saturday.
The closure of these late-night entertainment venues on the mainland has already been scheduled for the so-called “Disagreement Week”, originally set by the government for the period January 2-9, 2022, following Christmas and New Years.
Antonio Costa said that during this period businesses will receive support through a simplified layoff program and the Apoiar program to cover their recurring costs.
Bars and nightclubs, which opened in October for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal after 19 months of inactivity, are currently only available upon presentation of a negative test (antigen or PCR) or a certificate of recovery, even for people vaccinated against SARS-CoV. -2.
According to the General Directorate of Health, clients do not need to wear masks in these premises, unlike workers.
It is also prohibited to drink alcohol on public roads.
Mandatory testing at all sports and cultural events
Access to sports and cultural events will be subject to a negative coronavirus test from 00:00 on December 25, regardless of the number of viewers, the prime minister said today.
“We have also introduced a mandatory negative test for access to all cultural exhibitions and expanded the mandatory test for entry to all sports facilities, regardless of their occupancy, unless otherwise specified by the General Directorate of Health (DGS), as could be, for example, about the level preparation, ”said Antonio Costa.
Since November 27, it has already been mandatory to present a negative coronavirus test at the entrance to outdoor sports facilities with a capacity of more than 5,000 spectators and more than 1,000 indoors, regardless of vaccination.
Commercial space limited to 1 person per 5 square meters
The volume of retail space will be limited to one person for every five square meters in order to “avoid crowds,” the prime minister said.
This measure, as Antonio Costa said at the end of the meeting of the Council of Ministers, is aimed at preventing the congestion of people in shops and other commercial premises.
“We are going to introduce a measure to reduce the capacity of retail space by one person for every five square meters to avoid gatherings that take place during the week after Christmas to exchange gifts,” he explained.
Tolerance on Friday and December 31st
The government intends to grant point tolerance on Friday, Christmas Eve, for workers performing public functions in the state on Friday 24th and December 31st, the prime minister said. “On December 24 and 31, there will be point tolerance,” he said.
Free trials increased from four to six per person
The prime minister announced that the number of free screening tests for COVID-19 will increase from four to six per person per month as part of the response to the pandemic.
“First, continue to encourage mass testing. That is why we are going to increase the number of free tests per person per month from four to six, ”said Antonio Costa.
According to the Prime Minister, from December 19, 2020 to December 19 of this year, the test has almost tripled, resulting in a positive result “less than half of what it was a year ago.”
A total of 1,040 pharmacies have registered for free professional use testing for coronavirus, and 454 laboratories have also signed up to this exclusive and temporary reimbursement scheme.
The government has returned to reimbursement of costs for performing TRAg tests – a measure that applies to the entire population and is valid until December 31 – a period that could be extended.
The exclusive and temporary regime ended in October, given that Portugal was close to reaching 85% of the population fully vaccinated against covid-19, but the ministry decided to reactivate it due to the current epidemiological situation with increasing cases. covid-19 and hospitalizations.
