"The giant has awoken. The history of this institution has long begged for this moment. We rose and arrived at the place that is ours in its own right! We rose because we were better than the rest”. That is how the SC Farense football team, based in Faro, has reacted to the news of their promotion into Portugal’s ‘Primeira Liga’ league, putting them amongst the country’s footie crème-de-la-crème.

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?

The Government is creating a sanctioning regime for those who do not comply with the obligation to wear masks in public transport (their use is also mandatory in commercial spaces and public services providers). The new rules will go into effect on Monday, May 4. Questioned by the Observador newspaper, a government source says that "the creation of a sanctioning regime is foreseen, with administrative offenses" for those who do not use a mask in public transport, where the permitted capacity will still be two thirds of the usual people permitted to allow for adherence to social distancing measures.

On this 1st of May, as part of the traditional CGTP celebrations in Faro, music was played out of the speakers, between warnings for the approximately 100 people present to maintain social distancing measures. The Algarve’s Union of Trade Unions celebrants promised and fulfilled. Over two meters from each other and equipped with masks and gloves, a hundred union members marked Labour Day near the roundabout of Forum Algarve.

The Municipal Markets of the municipality of Silves will reopen on Tuesday, the 5th of May, "subject to the rules of social distancing and sanitation of spaces as indicated by the DGS", announced Silves Council. The decision was made "in the context of the gradual implementation of the easing through the phased lifting of restrictions and the consequent progressive reopening of the economy" and following the "on-site assessments to all municipal markets", which have been made by the local Public Health delegate together with the mayor and the presidents of the councils and parish unions of the municipality.

 Looking to a more environmentally-friendly future after COVID-19, Portugal is preparing a handful of multi-billion projects including a new hydrogen plant and will revive a delayed solar auction in June, a minister said.

“After listening to the experts, social partners and parties and after listening to the President of the Republic, the Council of Ministers approved the state of calamity”, declared António Costa.

Small street shops up to 200 square meters in size, as well as hairdressers, bookstores and car stands, will be able to reopen from Monday, when the country will no longer be in a state of emergency. Many restrictions will remain in place though.