The digital certificate will once again be mandatory to enter restaurants, hotels, gyms and events with marked seats, the prime minister has just announced. For visits to homes or trips to football and disco, it is also necessary to present a negative test, even for those already vaccinated. The measures take effect on 1 December.
After a Council of Ministers that lasted long hours, António Costa revealed what are the new measures to contain the worsening of the pandemic and that will make Portugal go into a state of calamity from 1 December.
One of the big news, from that date onwards, is the return of the mandatory presentation of a digital certificate for access to restaurants, hotels, events with marked places and gyms.
Another measure is the fact that it is now mandatory to submit a negative test to Covid-19, including vaccinated, for visits to homes or entry into bars and clubs.
This test will also be necessary for visits to patients admitted to health facilities, large events without marked places or in makeshift venues and sports venues such as football stadiums.
The Government also tightened measures in relation to airlines. Thus, all passengers arriving at Portuguese airports must also present a negative test, something that, according to António Costa, has not happened.
"Airline companies have not fulfilled their obligation", said the prime minister, revealing that a fine of 20 thousand euros will be applied, to be paid by the airlines, for each passenger who arrives without a test.
Airlines also risk a suspension of flight permits, in case of non-compliance.
The prime minister explained that control at airports will be strengthened, including using private security companies.
From today's meeting, one more measure emerged: the mask will once again be mandatory in all closed spaces, but, outdoors, it remains optional.
These new rules come at a time when, despite the increase in cases and hospitalizations, Portugal is in "a frankly better situation than a year ago", thanks to the "success of the vaccination process", admitted António Costa.
Although not mandatory, the prime minister also made two recommendations: the use of self-tests, for example, before family gatherings at Christmas, and teleworking.
As for the vaccination process, Costa guaranteed that, until December 19, all eligible people (over 65 years old or over 50 who have been inoculated with Jannsen) will be vaccinated with the booster dose.
Regarding the vaccination of children aged 5 to 11 years, which was approved today by the European Medicines Agency, Portugal will receive the first 300 vaccines on 20 December.
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