Deconfinement: Know What Changes and When

Working alongside the vaccination process, step by step, Portugals’ restrictive measures against Covid-19, presented this Tuesday at Infarmed, will be confirmed by the Council of Ministers today, with the definite start date to be announced. So what changes will come in to place, and when?

Experts, consulted by the Government, suggest an alleviation of the restrictive measures with the vaccination rate as a guideline. Portugal is in phase 1 of the plan presented this Tuesday at Infarmed, with 52% of the population with full vaccination. The last stage, phase 4, will correspond to the moment when group immunity is reached, that is, when about 85% of the population is vaccinated.

The new rules for each phase still require a final decision by the Council of Ministers, later today but the general rules below assume “routine use of the digital certificate in public spaces” –  it may be necessary to use the certificate to enter any space or event.

LEVEL 1 (BETWEEN 50% AND 60% OF COMPLETE VACCINATION)

To begin imminently – date to be confirmed.

RESTAURANTS AND SIMILAR (BARS INCLUDED)
? Open with restrictive measures and reduced capacity (maximum of 6 people at the same table) – but with no restrictions on hours in the most affected municipalities, whether access to services or prohibited circulation.
? If you have a terrace, prioritise meals in this space (maximum of 10 people at the same table).

MAJOR EVENTS OUTSIDE (WITHOUT LIMITATION OF SPACE)
? Only events that can be controlled with identification of places where people can stay, in order to comply with the distance;
? Well-defined circulation circuits;
? Compliance with general measures.

MAJOR INDOOR EVENTS 
? 50% capacity (evaluation of indoor space).

PUBLIC AND OUTDOOR SPACES
? Circulation with distance maintenance;
? Mask usage.

MARRIAGES, BAPTISM, ETC.
? 50% of its capacity (interior space assessment).

LEVEL 2 (BETWEEN 60% AND 70% OF COMPLETE VACCINATION)

EXPECTED DATE: SECOND FORTNIGHT OF AUGUST

CATERING AND SIMILAR (BARS INCLUDED)
? Open with restrictive measures and reduced capacity (maximum of 6 people at the same table);
? If you have a terrace, prioritise meals in this space (maximum of 15 people together).

MAJOR EVENTS OUTSIDE (WITHOUT SPACE LIMITATION)
? Only events that can be controlled with identification of places where people can stay in order to keep the distance;
? Well-defined circulation circuits;
? Compliance with general measures.

MAJOR INDOOR EVENTS
? 75% capacity (evaluation of indoor space).

PUBLIC AND OUTDOOR SPACES
? Circulation with distance maintenance.

MARRIAGES, BAPTISM, ETC.
? 75% of its capacity (interior space assessment).

LEVEL 3 (BETWEEN 70% AND 85% OF COMPLETE VACCINATION)

EXPECTED DATE: END OF AUGUST

RESTAURANT AND SIMILAR (BARS INCLUDED)
? Open with restrictive measures and reduced capacity in interior spaces (maximum of 8 people at the same table);
? No limitation outdoors.

MAJOR EVENTS OUTSIDE  (WITHOUT LIMITATION OF SPACE)
? All activities, in compliance with general measures.

MAJOR INDOOR EVENTS
? All activities, with compliance with general measures.

PUBLIC AND OUTDOOR SPACES
? Circulation with distance maintenance.

MARRIAGES, BAPTISM, ETC.
? General security measures only.

LEVEL 4 (OVER 85% OF COMPLETE VACCINATION)

EXPECTED DATE: END OF SEPTEMBER

GENERAL RULES
? Promotion of activities outdoors or remotely, whenever possible;
? Compliance with physical distance, defining the maximum number of people per square metre;
? Mandatory use of mask indoors and at public events;
? Avoid all uncontrolled situations of population agglomeration.

SCHOOLS
? All activities, in compliance with the general rules.

WORK
? All activities, in compliance with general rules;
? Whenever possible, spaced appointments and telecommuting.

COMMERCE AND RETAIL
? All activities, in compliance with the general rules.

ACCOMMODATION AND HOTELS
? All activities, in compliance with the general rules;
? Restoration areas with rules defined above.

HOMES
? Risk identification according to age group, comorbidities and vaccination status;
? Promotion of the digital certificate for users, employees and visitors.

SPORTS (INSIDE AND OUTDOOR)
? All activities, in compliance with the general rules;
? Preferential promotion of activities abroad.

MAJOR EVENTS ABROAD (FIXED SPACE)
? All activities, in compliance with the general rules;
? Well-defined circulation circuits;
? Controlled events with identification of places where people can stay in order to comply with the distance.

FAMILY
? All activities, in compliance with general measures.

CULTURAL, RELIGIOUS EVENTS, ETC. (SMALL / MEDIUM SIZE)
? All activities, in compliance with general measures.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
? Ensure adequate ventilation and air conditioning systems, as well as their maintenance. In its absence, keep windows open, promoting mechanical ventilation;
? Promote distance whenever possible;
? Mandatory use of mask.

SHOPPING CENTRES
? All activities, in compliance with general measures.

BEACH AND CAMPING
? Fulfillment of distance measures with definition of people per square metre;
? Use of masks in common places (beach bars) or in situations of agglomeration of people outside their socio-family circle.

MEASURES THAT SHOULD BE IN FORCE AT ALL LEVELS
? Adequate ventilation and air conditioning in closed spaces;
? Routine use of the digital certificate in public spaces;
? Risk self-assessment.

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