Beach-going is already allowed, despite the ‘bathing season’ only starting on June 6th

In the list of restrictions that the Government has drawn up for the country’s deflationary process, swimming in the sea and strolling on the beach or in parks is currently allowed, as long as the rules for social distancing are complied with.

Although the whole country is still covered by the state of calamity, at least until May 31, there is a progressive easing of the rules that had been imposed during the state of emergency. With inviting temperatures of 30 degrees in many districts, since Monday of this week the Portuguese people can swim in the sea, as long as they take into account the “physical distance measures essential to contain the infection”.

The list of new rules, which this week authorize “bathing” in the sea and all “travel for the purpose of enjoying outdoor moments, namely in parks” and in similar public spaces, has been approved by the Council of Ministers and has been in force for the past few days. However, the document states that although the list of rules is “less intense” it must not be put aside, and the Portuguese population must take into account the “scrupulous compliance” of all indications, namely with regard to social distancing.

However, the rules for swimming, strolling on the beach or laying out the towel in the sun begin to actually tighten on June 6, with the opening of the ‘bathing season’. This is in order to account for the larger quantity of people which will likely be travelling to the country’s beaches. However, many are wondering why the tighter beach restrictions that come with the ‘bathing season’ weren’t put into force this week, allowing more time for individuals to become acclimatised to the beach limitations before people start going in droves.

Among the measures announced by the Government, there will be an obligation of a physical distance of 1.5 meters between different groups of beachgoers, and a distance of three meters between all parasols, awnings or towels.