The Assembly of the Republic today approved the PS bill that renews for another 90 days, that is, until mid-September, the obligation to wear masks in public spaces, a measure in force in Portugal since 28 October and which would end in 13 of June.
The PS bill was approved in general, specialty and final global vote with votes against Chega and the Liberal Initiative, abstention by the PSD (which, until this renewal, was the author of the diploma and had always voted in favour), BE, PCP, Verdes and non-registered deputy Joacine Katar Moreira, with favorable votes from the socialists, the CDS-PP, the PAN and the non-inscribed deputy Cristina Rodrigues.
This is the third renewal of the diploma, but this time it was the PS who authored the bill, after the PSD announced on Tuesday that it would not hand it over again, considering that "it is more coherent" at this stage of the pandemic, that this is a legislative option of the Government.
Faced with the possibility that this law will not be renewed as of this Sunday, the socialist caucus decided to move forward with a legislative initiative to extend the transitory imposition on the use of masks in the street and in public spaces.
The text extends, under the same terms, the validity of the law in force since 28 October for another 90 days, which extends its effect until mid-September, if it enters into force on 14 June.
«Despite the evolution of the indicators after the end of the state of emergency, as well as the positive evolution of the vaccination of the population, the prudence in the management of the Covid-19 pandemic and the phases of deconfinement that have taken place still discourage the relaxation of some measures adopted with a view to the prevention and mitigation of the transmission of the SARSCov-2 virus and of the Covid-19 disease, particularly the most basic ones, such as the mandatory use of masks in public spaces», refers to the text in the explanatory memorandum.
Therefore, the PS proposes "one more renewal of the transitory imposition of mandatory use of masks for access, circulation or permanence in public spaces and streets in cases where the physical distance recommended by health authorities proves impractical."
Once the validity of the diploma is extended, without changes, the possibility of applying fines between 100 and 500 euros to those who do not comply is maintained.
The diploma determines that the use of a mask (which cannot be replaced by a visor) is mandatory for those over ten years of age for access, circulation or permanence in public spaces and streets «whenever the physical distance recommended by the health authorities proves impractical ».
There may be exemption from this obligation "in relation to people who are part of the same household, when they are not in the vicinity of third parties" or upon presentation of a medical certificate of multi-purpose disability or medical statement attesting that the clinical condition or cognitive impairment does not allow the use of masks.
It is also not mandatory to wear a mask when this “is incompatible with the nature of the activities that people are carrying out”.
Inspection "is the responsibility of the security forces and the municipal police" and non-compliance with the use of a mask constitutes an administrative offence, sanctioned with a fine of between 100 and 500 euros.
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