State of emergency is extended and ban on weekend circulation still in place

The new state of emergency has been confirmed and will be in effect until 23:59 on 14th February. The ban on movement between municipalities to combat the pandemic will again also apply for the next three weekends, between 8pm Fridays to 5am on Mondays.

Yesterday, the Council of Ministers decided to keep all restrictions imposed in mainland Portugal in force, regarding the operation of non-essential trade, catering and related to the ban on movement between municipalities at the weekend.

“We are in no position to relieve any restrictive measures that exist in any way,” stated the Minister of State and the Presidency, Mariana Vieira da Silva, at the press conference held at the end of the Council of Ministers.

The general “rule to stay at home” remains in force, except for authorised trips, namely to purchase essential goods and services, performance of professional activities when teleworking is not possible (which is mandatory whenever the functions in question allow it) and the practice of physical and sports activities outdoors, among other exceptions.

The Government has however announced that from February 8th, school activities will resume on a non-face-to-face basis.

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