Taking into account the evolution of the pandemic in all the counties of the continental territory, through the weekly reassessment of the relevant epidemiological indicators, the Council of Ministers decided that the majority of the country continues in the last phase of the Deflation Plan, with the rules that apply since the day 1st May.

At this level, in addition to the measures of April 19, the following rules apply:

• The practice of all sports is now allowed, as well as and for all outdoor physical activity;
• The gyms can work with group classes , observing the rules of safety and hygiene;
• The capacity for weddings and baptisms is now limited to 50% of the space.
• Sports facilities where services are provided will close at 10:30 pm.

Operation is also permitted:

• The activity of mobile amusement equipment;
• Children’s amusement parks of a private nature, although subject to authorization by the DGS;
• The water parks.

However, there are counties that do not have an incidence rate low enough to be able to advance to this stage. Thus:

• In the municipality of Resende and in the parish of São Teotónio, in Odemira , the rules of the 5th of April apply. Thus:
  • It is allowed to:
    • Operation of stores up to 200 m2 with door to the street;
    • Fairs and non-food markets (by municipal decision)
    • Terrace operation (with a maximum limitation of 4 people per table) until 10:30 pm on weekdays and until 1:00 pm on weekends;
    • Practice of sports considered low risk;
    • Outdoor physical activity for up to 4 people and gyms without group classes;
    • Operation of gyms without group classes;
    • Functioning of social facilities in the area of ​​disability.
• In the municipalities of Arganil and Lamego , the measures corresponding to April 19 apply:
  • The opening of:
    • All stores and shopping centers;
    • Restaurants, cafes and pastries (with a maximum of 4 people per table inside or 6 per table on terraces), until 10:30 pm on weekdays or 1:00 pm on weekends and holidays;
    • Cinemas, theaters, auditoriums, concert halls;
    • Citizen stores with face-to-face service by appointment.
  • The practice of:
    • Medium-risk sports modalities;
    • Outdoor physical activity for up to 6 people;
    • Outdoor events with reduced capacity (5 people per 100 m²);
    • Weddings and baptisms with 25% capacity.

There will also be a weekly evaluation, to see if the municipalities whose epidemiological situation improves can progress in the lack of definition.

It should also be remembered that, in all the national territory, classes at all levels of education take place in person.

Disaster Situation Presentation, May 13, 2021 (pdf file)

Defining Plan

The Government has established a deconfination plan , crossing several scientific criteria, divided into four phases and with a period of 15 days between each phase, in order to be able to assess the impacts of the measures on the evolution of the pandemic.

It is determined that the timetable foreseen for the different phases of deflation can be altered in view of certain epidemiological criteria for the definition of pandemic control and also considering the existence of an assistance response capacity by the National Health Service.

Thus, the strategy for surveying the measures was developed as follows:

General rules

• teleworking whenever possible;
• opening hours of establishments: 9:00 pm during the week; 1 pm on weekends and holidays or 7 pm for food retail;
• prohibition of movement between municipalities on the 20th and 21st of March and in the Easter period (between the 26th of March and the 5th of April).

From 15 March

• resumes, from 15 March, on-site educational and teaching activities in public, private and cooperative education establishments and in the social and solidarity sector, pre-school education and the 1st cycle of basic education, as well as daycare centers , family daycare centers and nannies;
• resumes, as of March 15, of activities, in person, family support and curriculum enrichment, as well as activities provided in leisure centers and study centers and the like, only for children and students who resume educational and teaching activities;
• from 15 March, the possibility of restarting the activity of establishments of non-essential goods that intend to maintain their activity exclusively for the purpose of home delivery or availability of goods at the door of the establishment, at the wicket or through a collection service products previously purchased through remote media ( click and collect ) ;
• as of March 15, it is determined that non-food retail and service provision activities in stores in operation close at 21:00 on working days and at 13:00 on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays and food retail trade activities close at 9:00 pm on weekdays and at 7:00 pm on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays ;
• the pharmacies’ schedule is applicable to establishments selling non-prescription drugs;
• as of March 15, drinks and take-away drinks are allowed in restaurants and similar establishments ;
• it is clarified that the ban on the sale of alcoholic beverages in retail establishments, including supermarkets and hypermarkets and take-away (from 20:00) is applicable until 06:00 ;
• as of March 15, the operation of the hairdressing salons, manicurists and the like is permitted by prior appointment ;
• as of March 15th, it is allowed to open establishments that sell books and musical supports ; parks, gardens, green spaces and leisure spaces, as well as libraries and archives;
• the prohibition of circulation between municipalities is determined on the 20th and 21st of March and during the Easter period (from March 26th to April 5th).

As of April 5

• 2nd and 3rd cycles (and ATLs for the same ages) social facilities in the area of ​​disability
• museums, monuments, palaces, art galleries and the like
• stores up to 200 m2 with door to the street
• fairs and non-food markets (by municipal decision)
• terraces (max 4 people per table)
• low-risk sports
• outdoor physical activity for up to 4 people and gyms without group classes

From 19 April

• high school
• University education
• cinemas, theaters, auditoriums, theaters
• citizen stores with face-to-face service by appointment
• all stores and shopping centers
• restaurants, cafes and pastries (max 4 people or 6, per table, on terraces) until 10 pm or 1 pm at weekends and holidays
• medium-risk sports
• outdoor physical activity for up to 6 people and gyms without group classes
• outdoor events with reduced capacity
• weddings and baptisms with a 25% capacity

From 3 May

• restaurants, cafes and pastries (max 6 people or 10, per table, on terraces) with no time limit
• all sports
• outdoor physical activity and gyms
• large outdoor events and indoor events with reduced capacity
• weddings and baptisms with 50% capacity

Following the decree of the State of Emergency of the President of the Republic, in force as of 00:00 on April 16, the Government, meeting in the Council of Ministers, determined that the deconfinition plan should proceed as it was foreseen in the generality of the country with the exception of those municipalities where the risk of transmission is considered high. It is important to note that the resumption of face-to-face education for secondary and higher education students is advancing across the continental territory, regardless of the level of risk in each municipality.

Thus, and taking into account the country’s epidemiological status as well as the incidence rate of the municipalities that deserve more attention and their extension over time, the measures to combat the pandemic, starting on April 19, will be applied in accordance with the following levels:

• A first level, in which the deflation plan goes back to the previous phase – the first. At this level, are the municipalities that, for the second consecutive biweekly evaluation, have an incidence rate greater than 240 cases per 100 thousand inhabitants in the last 14 days. This group includes the municipalities of Moura, Odemira, Portimão and Rio Maior, to which the following measures will apply:
  • Closing of:
    • Terraces;
    • Stores up to 200 m2 with door to the street;
    • Gymnasiums;
    • Museums, monuments, palaces, art galleries and the like.
  • Prohibition of:
    • Fairs and non-food markets;
    • Low-risk sports modalities;
  • The operation of:
    • Trade to the wicket;
    • Automobile trade and real estate mediation;
    • Hairdressing salons, manicurists and the like, after prior appointment;
    • Retail establishments for books and musical supports;
    • Parks, gardens, green spaces and leisure spaces;
    • Libraries and archives;
• A second level, in which the deconfiguration plan does not advance to the next phase or go backwards. In this category, are the municipalities that, for the second consecutive biweekly evaluation, have an incidence rate greater than 120 cases per 100 thousand inhabitants in the last 14 days. Thus, there are seven municipalities that will remain in the second phase of the deconfination plan: Alandroal, Albufeira, Carregal do Sal, Figueira da Foz, Marinha Grande and Penela. Thus, the measures that will remain in force in these counties are as follows:
  • It is allowed to:
    • Operation of stores up to 200 m2 with door to the street;
    • Fairs and non-food markets (by municipal decision)
    • Operation of terraces (with a maximum limitation of 4 people per table) until 10:30 pm on weekdays and until 1:00 pm on weekends;
    • Practice of sports considered low risk;
    • Outdoor physical activity for up to 4 people and gyms without group classes;
    • Operation of gyms without group classes;
    • Functioning of social facilities in the area of ​​disability.
• A third level, in which the deconfiguration plan advances to the third phase, as announced at the time of its presentation. Thus, in the remaining counties of the continent, in addition to the measures in force since April 5, the following apply:
  • The opening of:
    • All stores and shopping centers;
    • Restaurants, cafes and pastries (with a maximum of 4 people per table inside or 6 per table on terraces), until 10:30 pm on weekdays or 1:00 pm on weekends and holidays;
    • Cinemas, theaters, auditoriums, concert halls;
    • Citizen stores with face-to-face service by appointment.
  • The practice of:
    • Medium-risk sports modalities;
    • Outdoor physical activity for up to 6 people;
    • Outdoor events with reduced capacity (5 people per 100 m²);
    • Weddings and baptisms with 25% capacity.

The Council of Ministers today approved the decree that regulates the state of emergency decreed by the President of the Republic, coming into force at 00:00 on March 17, 2021.

In view of the evolution of the pandemic in Portugal, and in order to initiate the Decommissioning Plan approved by the Council of Ministers, the following changes are introduced compared to the current regime:

• resumes, from 15 March, on-site educational and teaching activities in public, private and cooperative education establishments and in the social and solidarity sector, pre-school education and the 1st cycle of basic education;
• resumes, as of March 15, of activities, in person, family support and curriculum enrichment, as well as activities provided in leisure centers and study centers and the like, only for children and students who resume educational and teaching activities;
• possibility of restarting the activity of establishments of non-essential goods that intend to maintain their activity exclusively for the purpose of home delivery or provision of goods at the door of the establishment, at the wicket or through the collection service of products previously purchased through the media. distance ( click and collect );
• it is determined that non-food retail and service provision activities in establishments in operation close at 21:00 on working days and at 13:00 on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays and food retail activities close at 21:00 on weekdays and at 19:00 on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays;
• the pharmacies’ schedule is applicable to establishments selling non-prescription products;
• take-away drinks are allowed in restaurants and similar establishments;
• it is clarified that the ban on the sale of alcoholic beverages in retail establishments, including supermarkets and hypermarkets and take-away (from 20:00) is applicable until 06:00;
• hairdressing salons, barbers, beauty salons and similar establishments are allowed to operate by appointment;
• the opening of: establishments for the sale of books and musical supports is allowed; parks, gardens, green spaces and leisure spaces, as well as libraries and archives;
• the prohibition of movement between municipalities is determined, which is applicable daily from March 26, 2021.

The resolution that approves and determines the deconfiguration plan to be adopted in the coming months was also approved.

The Government approved the measures that regulate the new decree of the State of Emergency of the President of the Republic, which will be in effect between 00:00 on March 2, 2021 and 23:59 on March 16, 2021.

The Council of Ministers decided to maintain the measures of the previous State of Emergency in force, applicable to the entire continental territory.

The country’s epidemiological status has been improving in recent days, but the situation is still worrying: this is not the time for the lack of definition.

The number of new cases, hospitalizations, ICU admissions and the number of deaths are still high.

The Government will present the plan of gradual decommissioning on March 11, even before the end of the next State of Emergency and after the due fortnightly assessment of the evolution of the pandemic in the country.

The Government also reinforces the call for the Portuguese to stay at home, leave only for the essentials, comply with the determinations of the Directorate-General for Health and respect the measures in force in relation to the State of Emergency.

The  Government  approved the measures that regulate the new State of Emergency decree, which will be in effect between 00:00 on February 15, 2021 and 23:59 on March 1, 2021.

Thus, the Council of Ministers decided to keep the measures of the previous State of Emergency in force, applicable to the entire continental territory.

In view of the state of the pandemic in the country, the Executive determined to maintain the existing measures in order to continue the downward trend. Especially because the numbers of new daily cases, hospitalizations, ICU admissions and deaths remain high , which is why it is necessary to maintain measures to combat the pandemic.

The confinement decided by the Government on January 15th has brought results to improve the epidemiological situation in Portugal. Thus, and in order to win the third wave at the same time that future waves are prevented, it becomes necessary not to relax the rules and reinforce the fight against the pandemic.

The Government also reinforces the call for the Portuguese to stay at home, leave only for the essentials, comply with the determinations of the Directorate-General for Health and respect the measures in force regarding the State of Emergency.

The Government has approved a set of measures regulating the new Certain State of Emergency, which will be in effect between 00:00 on January 31, 2021 and 23:59 on February 14, 2021.

Thus, the Council of Ministers determined some changes to the measures already in force, namely:

• The suspension of the educational and teaching activities of all educational establishments is effective until February 5, 2021. These activities will resume from February 8, in a non-classroom regime;
• The suspension of these activities and the non-face-to-face regime do not prevent the taking of tests or exams of international curricula;
• Whenever necessary, therapeutic support provided in special education establishments, schools and also by resource centers for inclusion can be assured who additional measures have been mobilized;
• Limitation on travel by Portuguese citizens outside the mainland, carried out by any means, without prejudice to the exceptions provided for in the Decree;
• Restoring control of people at land borders, under the terms provided for in the Decree;
• Possibility of suspension of flights and determination of mandatory confinement of passengers upon arrival;
• Possibility for the health care establishments of the National Health Service to be able, exceptionally, to hire resolutive terms, up to the limit of one year, of holders of academic degrees conferred by foreign higher education institutions in the fields of medicine and medicine. provided that certain requirements are met.

The Decree-Law establishing exceptional mechanisms for the management of health professionals to carry out health care activities in the context of the pandemic of the disease COVID-19 was also approved in the health services and establishments of the National Health Service. the hiring of doctors without the full specialty, the additional hiring of retired doctors and nurses, the extra payment for overtime and the salary increases for nurses and operational assistants with increased hours.

Following the renewal of the State of Emergency decreed by the President of the Republic, which will be in effect between 00:00 on January 15 and 23:59 on January 30, the Council of Ministers approved the decree that regulates the measures to be adopted for all the continental national territory.

Taking into account the evolution of the epidemiological situation in the country, the Government determined a set of extraordinary measures that aim to limit the spread of the pandemic and protect public health, ensuring the supply chains of essential goods and services. Like this:

• the general duty of home collection is established , except for a set of authorized trips, namely: acquisition of essential goods and services, performance of professional activities when there is no teleworking, participation in the scope of the electoral campaign or election of the President of the Republic, the frequency of school establishments, the fulfillment of parental responsibility sharing, among others;
• mandatory confinement is foreseen for people with COVID-19 or under active surveillance ;
• the mandatory adoption of the teleworking regime is determined , whenever the functions in question permit, without the need for agreement by the parties , teleworking for essential service workers is not mandatory;
• the exceptional and temporary regime for exercising early voting rights applies to voters who are in mandatory confinement, namely citizens residing in residential structures for the elderly and other responses dedicated to the elderly;
• the closure of a wide range of facilities and establishments is determined , including cultural and leisure activities, sports activities and spas;
• retail and service provision activities are suspended in establishments open to the public , with the exception of authorized establishments;
• it is anticipated that similar and catering establishments operate exclusively for home delivery or take-away;
• it is established that public services provide face-to-face service by appointment , with the provision of services through digital media and contact centers being maintained and strengthened;
• fairs and markets are allowed to operate only for the sale of food products ;
• celebrations and other events are prohibited , with the exception of religious ceremonies;
• events are allowed within the scope of the electoral campaign and the election of the President of the Republic.

In addition to these measures, the Council of Ministers decided to review the administrative regime in the context of the situation of calamity, contingency and alert and aggravates the administrative disorder

• Failure to do so will now be considered a very serious offense;
• Failure to test Covid-19 on arrival at the airport becomes an offense punishable by a fine of € 300 to € 800;
• Fines are doubled during the State of Emergency.

Source: https://covid19estamoson.gov.pt/renovacao-estado-emergencia-14-janeiro/ (google translation)