We have now entered the first week of new measures in force for the Situation of Calamity, which invlolves some new measures and rules. So what can you do and what is prohibited from 4th of May?
By kind permission of afpop.com, below is a clear outline of the current rules and regulations, which came into effect on the 3rd of May and will be revaluated after 15 days.
The Portuguese government intends to start a phased reopening with the intention of not losing control over the numbers of infected people. The idea is to restart the economy in a conscious and balanced way and at each stage they will decide whether the measures implemented will continue, whether they should be adapted or whether it is necessary to go back. It is therefore important to remember that there may be changes regarding the schedule described below and there may be some additions/changes to conditions announced for Phase 2 & 3.
General information:
Masks: Protective masks will be mandatory in public offices, public transports, shops and schools. Pay attention to how to use masks, bearing in mind that there are masks for single use and others that can be reused. Make sure to confirm the characteristics and the indications of the type of mask you are using.
There is no provision yet for access to the beaches;
It is still our civic duty to remain at home as much as we can;
Events or gatherings with more than 10 people are prohibited;
There can be a maximum of 5 people in closed spaces under 100 m2;
Funerals can now have family attending.
Currently, these are the 3 phases of re-opening that have been announced by the government.
1st PHASE - MAY 4th
Spaces up to 200 m2;
Small shops;
Hairdressers, barbers, car stands, registration offices (Conservatória), Finanças and non-concentrated public services (by appointment only, so make sure to call first);
Bookstores, libraries and archives;
Buses with a driver's cabin in order to isolate them;
Individual sporting activities such as tennis, surf and golf; (without using changing rooms).
2nd PHASE - MAY 18th
Spaces up to 400 m2;
Restaurants, museums, cafes, terraces and similar;
Palaces;
Kindergartens (in this first phase, parents can still choose to continue to stay at home with the family support subsidy);
Schools (classes/exams for only 11th and 12th grades);
Municipalities can decide to open other establishments. For example, if a space has more than 400 m2 but does not concentrate a lot of people, the municipality may decide to open it.
3rd PHASE – JUNE 1st
Spaces with more than 400 m2;
Kindergartens, pre-schools and ATL;
Stores;
Citizens Offices (Loja do Cidadão);
Shopping centres;
Cinemas and theatres with restricted capacity;
Resumption of sporting competitions in open spaces but without an audience;
Team sports.
By kind permission of safecommunitiesportugal.com here are some common questions and answers regarding the change from our State of Emergency to State of Calamity.
Frequently asked Q &A's
The state of emergency has noe ended, but the virus has not disappeared. The Government has put together a plan for the reopening of the economy and for the return of people to the streets, which was presented this Thursday (April 30). There will be terraces, museums, bookstores, more stores open and trips to the hairdresser. Everything with new rules. As long as there is no vaccine, there will be a mask in many places.
The state of emergency will end on Saturday at midnight. Can I leave the house now?
The Government decided to reduce (but not finish) restrictions on circulation. And with the reopening of some stores and other activities, there is also the civic duty of collection, which calls for the individual responsibility of each citizen, instead of the general and special duties of collection, which are in force during a state of emergency.
Can everyone go out, even children and older people?
Yes. In the presentation of the “de-confinement” plan, the Prime Minister stressed that this civic duty of confinement applies to children, youth, adults and the elderly, regardless of belonging to risk groups. However, there is an exception: there remains a duty of prophylactic confinement for those diagnosed with covid-19 (as well as those under active vigilance ordered by health authorities) and the crime of disobedience for those who do not comply.
Does this mean that on Sunday (May 3) I can go for a walk on the beach?
It depends as there are some beaches that have forbidden access. Municipal websites have this information. Until Sunday at midnight there is a ban on travel outside your municipality of residence. The Government decided to impose for this long weekend the same restriction that was in place during Easter, prohibiting travel between municipalities.
When can I go surfing?
Access to the beaches for certain activities is resumed from Monday (May 4). Among these activities are water sports, including surfing. Individual sports can be resumed outdoors from this day, but without the use of changing rooms or swimming pools (indoors and outdoors).
Can I go to dinner with friends?
The Prime Minister did not speak about this specific situation, but left some indications that may be useful when deciding. He explained that there is a civic duty to collect and that, as of May 4, the ban on gatherings with more than ten people comes into force. And “the rule of distancing must be still maintained”.
And can I visit my parents?
If they live in another municipality, you will not be able to do so until after this Sunday 3rd May, says the Government. After that, the general rules apply. Each citizen has to assume responsibility in the fulfilment of the civic duty of confinement, and no more than ten people can gather.
When do my kids go back to school?
It depends on their age. Day care centers open on May 18th, but until the end of the month parents can choose whether or not to keep their children home with them and continue to receive Social Security support. On the same date, schools reopen for 11th and 12th year students (between 10 am and 5 pm), while pre-school resumes only on June 1st. Here, the use of a mask is mandatory (except children in day care centers and kindergartens and until 6 years old). Primary school and 10th year students do not return to classrooms again this academic year and universities have the autonomy to decide.
When can I be on terraces?
On May 18th, restaurants, pastry shops, cafes and terraces open. However, as in most situations, there will be limitations. In restaurants the maximum capacity is 50% and the opening hours will be until 11 pm.
Will the hairdressers open soon?
Yes. From May 4th they will be working, but by appointment and with specific conditions that will be known in the meantime. Manicurists and the like can also open, as well as bookstores and car sales stands. On the same date, stores up to 200 square meters will also open, starting at 10 am and wearing a mask. However, if this type of stores are located in shopping centers, they will not open now. Only on the 1st of June.
Do I always have to wear a mask?
Not always. However it mandatory in specific situations: shops, public transport, public services and schools (for students from 11th and 12th and all people in the school). Failure to use a mask in public transport will lead to a fine, the prime minister said in an interview with RTP.
Do I have to continue to keep two meters away from other people?
This rule continues to apply even with the reopening of several activities. Hand washing and respiratory etiquette are also maintained.
When can I go to the cinema?
On June 1, cinemas and theatres open, with marked seats, reduced capacity and physical distance.
When do I get back to work?
It depends. Workers in essential goods and services kept on working even during the state of emergency, but the rule was to adopt teleworking whenever possible. This rule will continue in May. From June 1st, partial teleworking begins, with “irregular schedules or mirror teams”. Those who had to stay at home to accompany their children were teleworking or receiving financial support (equal to 66% of the salary) – this support will continue until the end of the academic year for those who have children who can’t return to school.
Can I go anywhere on the metro?
Yes. But you have to wear a mask. And there is a maximum limitation of two thirds of the total capacity.
When will there be religious services again?
On the weekend of 30/31 May there may be religious services of any denomination again. The rules under which these can take place are yet to be defined.
When can I return to the football stadium?
It won’t be possible anytime soon. The official competitions of the 1st Football League and Portuguese Cup will resume on 30/31 May, but the games will be behind closed doors.
Can I go on holiday in May already?
You can. But there are some restrictions. Access to the beaches becomes possible from 4 May for water sports. However, for access to the beaches for holidays, the Government is still talking to the municipalities and captaincies.
I had a ticket for Nos Alive in July. Will it happen?
There is still no clear answer. For now, events involving more than ten people are prohibited. The Government’s resumption calendar does not mention festivals and the situation is yet to be analysed in the next Council of Ministers. But António Costa has already suggested that “there is an enormous probability that they will not be taking place”.
What is the situation regarding Campsites and motor home parks?
Campsites and motor home parks remain closed to tourists and visitors. If you are a permanent resident of a campsite or motor home park you will not be affected.
I want to visit Portugal on a cruise vessel. Can I disembark?
Cruise ships can berth at ports on mainland Portugal, but passengers can only disembark if they are Portuguese nationals or residents. Recreational vessels and private yachts are still not permitted to dock, except for refuelling or taking on supplies. Passengers may only disembark to return to their country of origin and once they have completed 14 days’ self-quarantine on board, starting from the day the vessel entered Portuguese territorial waters.
