NEW RESTRICTIONS: Weekend local travel ban, restrictions on trading hours and drink sales
Portuguese news in English, on January 19, 2021.
Hi, I’m doing a quick update today because the Prime Minister announced new restrictions last night. It still hasn’t been decided from when they will apply but it is likely to be this week so I want to let you know the details as soon as possible. It’s my birthday tomorrow so I’m hoping to have a break but if there are any confirmed details about when the restrictions kick in I will update you. If not, I’ll be back on Thursday or Friday.
By the numbers
New case numbers are down, thankfully, but it’s still the worst Monday we’ve seen so far. Hospitals have filled even further than yesterday and another 167 covid-19 patients have died.
NEW RESTRICTIONS: Local travel ban, restrictions on trading hours and drink sales
New restrictions to be applied in the coming days include the return of the local travel ban on weekends, restricted trading hours and a ban on buying drinks at the door of restaurants and other food businesses, Público reports. The final wording is not yet decided but it will be published in the Diary of the Republic straight after the President’s approval and enter into force the next day. Prime Minister António Costa has declined to shut schools amidst growing opposition but has promised more enforcement efforts from authorities to ensure people are complying with the lockdown.
Eleven new rules
Diário de Notícias has summed up the 11 most prominent new restrictions:
You will no longer be able to leave your council area on weekends.
All establishments will be forced to shut at 8pm on working days and 1pm on weekends, except food retailers, which can open until 5pm on weekends.
No sales or collections at the door of any non-food business, such as clothing stores.
The same restriction is in place for all drinks, including coffee, at restaurants, cafes and other food-based businesses.
You won’t be able to eat any takeaway food you buy outside or near the business you bought it from.
All restaurants within shopping centres will be shut, even for takeaway.
Sales campaigns and promotions that encourage leaving the house will be banned.
Hanging out in public leisure spaces such as parks will be banned but you can still pass through.
Mayors will be asked to limit access to areas where a lot of people can gather, such as waterfronts, and signal that park benches, playgrounds and sports facilities are off limits.
All workers who have to work in person will need proof from their employer. All businesses with more than 250 workers will have to send a list of such workers to the work conditions authority within 48 hours.
Senior Universities (adult education for those over 50) and day centres must shut.
Of course, existing restrictions such as the civic duty to stay home and mandatory working from home continue. Reasons to leave the house are to buy essential goods and services, use public services, work (if telework is impossible), receive healthcare or veterinary care, assist vulnerable people, go to school or university, fulfil parental responsibilities, participate in the presidential elections, exercise, walk your pet/s and get some fresh air, which should be quick and near your house. The Prime Minister has repeatedly stressed that staying home is the “rule” and urged people not to hunt for exceptions.
School closures ‘inevitable’, epidemiologist argues
There are growing calls for the government to reverse its decision to keep schools open. Epidemiologist and government adviser Manuel Carmo Gomes has described the closure of schools as “inevitable”, expressing disappointment the government didn’t listen to advice to put students older than 12 into remote learning, Público reports. His team’s estimates point to as many as 200 deaths and 14,000 new cases by Sunday, saying the 13–17 age group is the one where cases have increased the most. The Order of Doctors has also called for children over 12 to be sent home, arguing “half-measures” serve neither the economy nor public health, Público reports. For his part, the Prime Minister said schools still had the option to close to control outbreaks and in breaks, such as the Christmas holidays, Diário de Notícias reported. He said any health benefits would not justify the social and education cost of shutting schools. Professor Carmo Gomes makes another point that is important to keep in mind, which is that we can’t expect measures to start reducing the spread until a week and a half or so after they’re introduced.
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On a lighter note
You know what makes any day better? Puffins. That’s probably why Iceland is using them to encourage you to ditch the “doomscrolling” and switch to “joyscrolling” through the country’s beautiful highlights. I hope you’re all doing ok and that this newsletter helps you cut down just a little on doomscrolling, so here’s 22.7 metres of joy.
Please keep sharing on Facebook, in real life or anywhere else you see people a bit confused by the latest news.
Happy birthday 🎉🎁🎈 and thank you hope to meet you some day in the distant future!
Parabens. Obrigada por informacao. Travel between councils all weekend, or from 1pm when shops close?