Government announces timeline to reopen Portugal
English language coronavirus news in Portugal on April 30, 2020.
Hey guys, sorry this is much later than usual. Today’s announcement is really important so I wanted to wait until all the details were available.
By the numbers
I know it’s hard to be relieved about any number of deaths, but I’m pleased to say today’s figure is the lowest we’ve seen since March. In terms of new confirmed cases, after a few very low days we’re back in that 450-700 zone we’ve been in for most of the month. Director-General of Health Graça Freitas said “the epidemic fortunately is not growing”, as reported by Público. There were new cases everyday but, despite ups and downs, the “curve” was following a downward trend, she said.
What will change on three key reopening dates
The government has laid out its plan to reopen the country, stressing the pandemic remains active and the risk has not been beaten, Diário de Notícias reports. Prime Minister Antonio Costa announced a “one-step” decrease from state of emergency to state of calamity starting May 4, a “three-phase” plan to slowly emerge from confinement and a continuing “civic duty” to stay home unless necessary.
The three key dates for changes are May 4, May 18 and June 1.
May 4
From Monday, local shops less than 200m2 and libraries can reopen, along with hairdressers, nail salons and similar businesses and some branches of some government services such as finanças, all of which will require an appointment. Gatherings of more than 10 people will be banned and anyone who can work from home must continue to do so, Público reports. Anyone going shopping or riding public transport, which will be limited to two-thirds capacity, must wear a mask, Público reports. The limitation of five people per 100m2 in shops also remains.
May 18
Shops up to 400m2, restaurants, pastelarias and esplanade cafes can reopen at 50% capacity, until 11pm and with specific conditions. So can Museums, monuments, palaces and art galleries. Students in years 11 and 12, who must wear masks, return to school in separate shifts and creches reopen for parents who want them.
Does anyone else have “saudades” for a nice “choco grelhado”? Photo: Jorge Branco
June 1
Telework regulations will be eased but workers must have staggered shift times or a “mirror”-type arrangement such as one week on, one week off. Religious ceremonies can return from May 30, with regulations to be defined. Cinemas, theatres and concert venues can open with marked spaces and reduced capacity from June 1.
Yet to be announced
The new timetable does not include any details of return dates for gyms, group sports and beach access, Diário de Notícias reports, but individual outside sports (without using change rooms or swimming pools) are ok from May 4. Although that should have been covered by the previous allowance for exercise anyway. It also looks like surfing is back on the cards, despite the lack of beach access rules. Observador reports comments from the PM that individual water sports are ok, but says you can't hang around on the sand afterwards.*
The Prime Minister insisted this was not a return to normal life, urging citizens and residents not to lose in May what we had worked so hard to achieve in the past two months. He would not be ashamed to take a “step backwards” by increasing restrictions again if necessary, Costa said, as reported by Público.
(Very limited) Labor Day demonstrations to go ahead
The number of events has been cut almost in half, retirees have been told to stay home and the ground will be marked to enforce social distancing – but Labor Day is going ahead, Diário de Notícias reports. The General Confederation of the Portuguese Workers has planned drastically reduced demonstrations for 22 cities, on the 50th anniversary of its beginning. Only union leaders and delegates will be involved, police will be watching and the ground will be marked every four metres to enforce social distancing.
Reminder: You can’t leave your council area this long weekend. Just like the restrictions that were in place over Easter, from May 1-3 you’re not allowed out of your municipal area (Lisboa, Porto, Cascais, Oeiras, Peniche, Portimão etc).
In brief
National Health Service to make more use of the private sector to catch up on suspended surgeries and other activity
Eurozone economy shrinks at record ratein English
Fearing coronavirus, families live camped in the street waiting for municipal housing in Lisbon. Some have housing assigned but refuse to live with their parents
Business Confederation of Portugal proposes a government fund to support businesses in exchange for equity
Football returns: Top league to play in empty stadiums from May 30
On a lighter note
It’s snail time, baby! Tomorrow we arrive, as the Portuguese like to say, in the months without “R”. That’s the warmer months of the year and the only time you should be eating snails. If this were a normal year, every second restaurant and cafe esplanade would have a big sign saying “há caracoís”, likely with a local sitting on the “esplanada” nearby slurping them up with a beer. I know you might think snails are a bit weird, but they’re worth a try (even if it’s just for Instagram). Some of your local spots should still be offering them takeaway and if not, hopefully you’ll be in the Glovo or UberEats delivery area for Caracol do Bairro, as highlighted here by New in Town.
Sorry (not sorry) for the close up. Photo: Jorge Branco
*I added this after the newsletter went out when I saw the updated Observador article as I thought it was important enough to clarify. I'll mention it again tomorrow.