The gradual lifting of restrictions due to vaccination against Covid-19 starts today, August 1st, with rules applicable throughout the continental territory, including the limit of closing hours until 02:00 am for restaurants and cultural and sporting events.
With the control of the Covid-19 pandemic starting to be carried out "according to the criterion of the rate of vaccination of the Portuguese population" and without differentiated measures for each of the 278 municipalities in mainland Portugal, the Government's plan to alleviate the restrictions foresees three phases for "liberation of society and economy, progressively and gradually", according to announced the prime minister, António Costa, this Thursday, 29 July, after the meeting of the Council of Ministers, in Lisbon.
Among the general measures that fit into the three phases of this new plan is the requirement of a digital certificate of vaccination or a negative Covid-19 test for restaurants in the interior on Fridays from 19:00 pm and on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays throughout the period opening hours, as well as for travel by air or sea, tourist establishments and local accommodation, spas and spas, casinos and bingos, cultural, sporting or corporate events with more than 1.000 people (in an open environment) or 500 people (in a closed environment) and weddings and baptisms with more than 10 people.
The first phase of the plan for the gradual lifting of restrictions begins today, August 1, when 57% of the population has been fully vaccinated, and determines the end of the restriction of circulation on public roads, which was applied daily between 23:00 pm and 05:00 am , to the councils with higher risk of incidence of Covid-19, as well as the possibility of restaurants and cultural and sports facilities to operate "according to the respective licensing hours, with the limit of 02:00, with public access being excluded for new admissions from 01:00 am, and in accordance with the rules of the General Directorate of Health (DGS)».
These relief measures also include the reopening of bars and other beverage establishments “subject to the rules of catering”, to which discotheques are added, provided they have a Bar Classification of Economic Activities (CAE).
At this stage, restaurants can operate with a maximum of six people per table inside and 10 people on terraces, retail establishments start to operate according to the respective licensing schedule, the public at sporting events is allowed with rules to be defined by the DGS, cultural shows with a capacity of 66%, weddings and baptisms with a capacity of 50% and entertainment facilities are authorized «according to DGS rules, in a place authorized by the municipality».
Another of the changes that integrate the first phase is that "telework goes from mandatory to recommended, when activities allow", according to the Government's plan, indicating that the current rules on sanitary and public health measures are maintained, namely those relating to mandatory confinement, the use of masks or visors, the control of body temperature and the carrying out of tests.
Bars and clubs with bar CAE that refuse to operate within the catering rules remain closed until October, the month in which all these nightlife establishments must reopen, and popular parties and pilgrimages remain prohibited this summer, at least until the end of September, as they are a “much increased” risk factor for the transmission of Covid-19, due to the large agglomerations, indicated António Costa.
The three phases of this plan are associated with the percentage of the population that authorities estimate will have full vaccination against Covid-19 on August 1 (57%), September 5 (71%) and October (85%).
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