PM announces new measures in place from midnight on December 24th

The Portuguese government have decided to bring forward the containment period that was initially planned to start on January 2nd, to December 25th.

The measure was announced by the prime minister, António Costa, at the end of the extraordinary meeting of the Council of Ministers yesterday, that also approved additional measures to contain the spread of covid-19 contagions.

“For the 24th and 25th of this month, December 30th and 31st and January 1st, it is mandatory to carry out and present a negative test for access to restaurants, casinos and new year parties,” said the PM.

Access to restaurants, casinos and New Year’s Eve parties will require a negative covid-19 test, covering the 24th, 25th, 30th and 31st of December and 1st of January.

The Government also decreed the closing of clubs and bars from midnight on December 24th until the end of the containment period, which is not yet confirmed.

A negative test is now required to enter hotels and local accommodation establishments, as well as access to family ceremonies, such as weddings, baptisms, and business events.

Gatherings of more than 10 people are also prohibited, as is the consumption of alcohol on public roads.

Discount sales in shops are prohibited between December 25th and January 9th, but the period for consumers to be able to exchange goods in stores has been extended until the end of next month, according to a note from the Council of Ministers. 

The Government’s recommendation is “not to participate”, but if you “participate”, you can only do so by presenting a negative test, either antigen or PCR.

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