Lisbon restrictions tighten even further // Tougher measures for another 25 councils
Portuguese news in English on Friday, June 25, 2021.
By the numbers
The number of cases is continuing to grow uncomfortably quickly, particularly in Lisbon and the Tejo Valley. The region was responsible for more than 1000 cases alone both today and yesterday. In more bad news, the number of covid-19 patients in intensive care has gone back above 100 for the first time since April and hospitalisations are also increasing steadily. Of course, both numbers are still roughly an order of magnitude less than what we saw in the middle of January. Deaths, while rising very slowly, are still averaging about 2-3 per day. Público notes that, as you can see in the chart a bit further down, Portugal is now the worst in Europe for cases but with the ninth fewest deaths.
A note on vaccines: They seem to keep changing their minds on how many people to open up the vaccine appointment form to so, no more predictions for now. But I can say that anyone 35 and over is currently eligible.
Lisbon restrictions tighten even further
As expected, given how quickly cases are rising in the capital, the Lisbon council area has been hit with more restrictions in an attempt to control the pandemic. The councils of Albufeira and Sesimbra join Lisbon under the title measures, which include much earlier closing times for restaurants on the weekend and mandatory working from home, Público reports. All three have gone three weeks in a row with more than 240 cases per 100,000 people per fortnight. Restaurantes, cafés and pastelarias can still open until 10.30pm during the week but on weekends that time is cut to 3.30pm. Table limits have also been reduced, down to six people outside and four people inside. The vast majority of shops must now close at 9pm during the week and 3.30pm on weekends but supermarkets and food shops can open until 7pm. Gyms stay open but without group classes and you can play sports up to medium-risk (very broadly speaking everything up to a football-like level of contact, with rugby and fighting sports falling into high risk).
Tougher measures for another two dozen councils
Another 25 councils, including Cascais, Oeiras, Sintra and Lagos, are subject to tighter restrictions, but not as severe as the above three, Público reports. Their changes include bringing restaurant closing times back to 10.30pm, with a 10-person limit on outside tables and six people inside, and mandatory working from home. Shops shut at 9pm and weddings and baptisms are down to 50% capacity. All sports are ok without crowds, along with all sorts of exercise outside or in gyms. The following councils are affected: Alcochete, Almada, Amadora, Arruda dos Vinhos, Barreiro, Braga, Cascais, Grândola, Lagos, Loulé, Loures, Mafra, Moita, Montijo, Odemira, Odivelas, Oeiras, Palmela, Sardoal, Seixal, Setúbal, Sines, Sintra, Sobral de Monte Agraço and Vila Franca de Xira,
Porto at risk of further restrictions
Porto and 18 other councils are at risk of having these same restrictions imposed if case numbers don’t fall, Diário de Notícias reports. The following councils are at risk: Alenquer, Avis, Castelo de Vide, Castro Daire, Chamusca, Constância, Faro, Lagoa, Mira, Olhão, Paredes de Coura, Portimão, Porto, Rio Maior, Santarém, São Brás de Alportel, Silves, Sousel and Torres Vedras.
If you find this newsletter helpful, please help out if you can.
Reopening paused in the rest of the country
In the rest of the country, restrictions continue as they are, after the government decided to pause the next reopening step, Público reports. That means Restaurantes etc shutting at 1am (with admission until midnight), working from home only recommended, not mandatory, and shops back to their normal opening hours. You can check the full set of rules in my newsletter from June 7. The government sees vaccination as the key to fighting the pandemic and lifting restrictions but a few more weeks are needed to get everyone over 60 fully protected. When the decision was taken on Thursday, Portugal was clearly in the red zone on the government’s risk matrix, with 128.6 cases/100,000/week and an R number of 1.17, mostly thanks to the worsening outbreak in greater Lisbon. Despite all this bad news, the government says it’s difficult to imagine returning to a state of emergency, particularly given the vaccination process, Diário de Notícias reports. It’s also talking about changing the way the seriousness of the pandemic is measured once specific targets have been hit.
More on the greater Lisbon weekend travel limits
The weekend no-travel zone around the Lisbon Metropolitan area remains in place from 3pm Fridays until 6am Mondays. Anyone with one of the EU Digital COVID Certificates I mentioned in the last newsletter are exempt, Público reports. That exemption extends to anyone with proof of a negative PCR test taken in the past 72 hours or a negative antigen test taken in the previous 48 hours and processed in a lab. Bear in mind the rapid tests have to be carried out by a professional at somewhere like a pharmacy. Self-tests aren’t valid.
In brief
PM says surge in more infectious Delta variant not linked to Champions League final. António Costa says the surge is in Lisbon, while the match was in Porto. (Diário de Notícias)
More than 50 charged and 216 investigations into vaccine misuse and fraud. Charges include receiving undue benefit and abuse of power. (Público)
Madeira back on the UK travel green list. No quarantine needed after travel to Portuguese autonomous region. (Diário de Notícias)
Conditions are right for 2017 fire tragedy to happen again, experts warn. More than 60 people died when towns such as Pedrogão Grande burned. (Diário de Notícias)
On a lighter note
I’ll admit, it’s a long way away yet but there’s some brilliant music to look forward to in Portugal next year. St. Vincent, Alt-J and Two Door Cinema Club have just confirmed they’ll be joining Metallica, Faith No More and Phoebe Bridgers at NOS Alive in 2022. Tame Impala, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds and Gorillaz are playing Primavera Sound in Porto next year too. There are also solo visits coming up from big names like Bon Iver, The Weeknd and Future Islands, as well as comedians Hannah Gadsby and Jimmy Carr. Hopefully there’ll be more to come as things settle down.
Please note, the next newsletter will be Tuesday, July 6, unless there are more major changes.
Please keep sharing on Facebook, in real life or anywhere else you see people a bit confused by the latest news.