Covid-19: 2nd phase of the deconfinement comes into effect today

The rules foreseen for the second phase of the government’s deconfinement plan come into force today, with the exception of the end of the mandatory use of masks in public spaces, which remains in force until September 12th.

With the announcement on Thursday that Portugal had reached the target of 70% of the population vaccinated against Covid-19 by the end of the previous day, the country moves forward to the 2nd phase of deconfinement from today. The government forecast pointed to this target being reached around September 5th, but vaccination has accelerated again in recent weeks.

The catering sector is one of the biggest beneficiaries, since as of today, restaurants, cafes and patisseries can have up to eight people (instead of six) per group inside, and up to 15 people (instead of 10) per group on terraces.

Events, whether of a family nature, including weddings and baptisms, or cultural shows, now have the occupancy limit of 75%.

As for commercial spaces, the capacity goes from five to eight people for every 100 square meters (allowing physical distance of one person for every 12.5 square metres).

Collective public transport no longer has capacity limitations, taxis and individual paid passenger transport vehicles, with no characteristics from an electronic platform (TVDE), can now use the front seat.

The Council of Ministers on Friday also defined that as of September 1, the Citizens’ Shops will start to provide face-to-face service without having to make prior appointments.

Despite these changes, the requirement to present a digital certificate or a negative test still continues for: air or sea travel, access to tourist establishments and local accommodation,  entering restaurants on weekends and holidays,  in group classes in gyms, spas and ‘spas’, casinos and bingos, weddings and baptisms with more than 10 people, and cultural, sporting or corporate events for more than 1,000 people (in an open environment) or 500 people (in a closed environment ).

Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, President of the Republic has appealed for “common sense” of the citizens, stating that “greater freedom means that there is greater responsibility”. “People will be returning from vacations and the new school year will begin, there will be more movement of people between countries, some where vaccination is not at our level, so we will need to monitor the next four weeks very carefully and then, continuing with the vaccination program, we will see exactly what is happening in other places and whether it affects us or not”, he explained. Until September 12th, he asks people to “use a mask as much as possible, even on the beach”.

In addition to these 2nd phase changes, the country’s transition from a state of calamity to a contingency situation has also been decreed, which will be in force at least until 23:59 on September 30, 2021.

Original article available in Portuguese at http://postal.pt/