UPDATE: New curfew in Lisbon, Porto and dozens more councils // 45 councils now facing restrictions
A quick update in English on July 2, 2021.
Hi guys, here’s a quick update with the new restrictions from last night. I’ll be back with more next week.
New curfew in Lisbon, Porto and dozens more councils
Almost 4 million people in 45 council areas have been put under an 11pm curfew as the pandemic continues to worsen across much of Portugal, Público reports. From today, everyone living in the councils of Lisbon, Porto, Oeiras, Lagos, Portimão and dozens more can’t leave the house between 11pm and 5am. Unlike with the greater Lisbon weekend travel lock-in, there are no exceptions for people with an EU Digital COVID Certificate. I’m not currently seeing any exceptions listed for walking dogs, health or any of the other reasons allowed in similar situations previously. You can see the full list of affected council areas below, broken into high-risk and very-high-risk categories.
More than 40 councils face tighter restrictions
Sixteen more councils have joined Lisbon, Sesimbra and Albufeira in the very-high-risk category, Público reports. These municipalities, mostly in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area (AML), face the tightest level of restrictions, with mandatory working from home (if you can), and restaurants etc closing at 10.30pm during the week and 3.30pm on weekends. Tables are limited to four people inside and six people outside. Food shops can open until 9pm during the week and 7pm on weekends while other retail must shut by 3.30pm on weekends. Gyms remain open without group classes but you can exercise in a group of six outside or play any sport classed as medium risk or below. Very-high-risk councils: Albufeira, Amadora, Barreiro, Cascais, Constância, Lisbon, Loulé, Loures, Mafra, Mira, Moita, Odivelas, Oeiras, Olhão, Seixal, Sesimbra, Sintra and Sobral de Monte Agraço.
Another 26 councils are considered high risk, which brings slightly looser restrictions. Restaurants can open until 10.30pm on the weekend as well, with six people on inside tables and 10 outside. Both food and other shops can open until 9pm every day, gyms can have group classes and all sports can be played without a crowd. There are a few other restrictions, which you can double-check in my previous newsletter, High-risk councils: Alcochete, Alenquer, Arruda dos Vinhos, Avis, Braga, Castelo de Vide, Faro, Grândola, Lagoa, Lagos, Montijo, Odemira, Palmela, Paredes de Coura, Portimão, Porto, Rio Maior, Santarém, São Brás de Alportel, Sardoal, Setúbal, Silves, Sines, Sousel, Torres Vedras and Vila Franca de Xira.
The Lisbon Metropolitan Area remains subject to a ban on entering or leaving between 3pm on Fridays and 6am on Mondays. It can be confusing but it’s important to note that the AML is really large and this measure is defined separately to the other restrictions. You can still move around freely (before 11pm) within greater Lisbon, you just can’t enter or leave.
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Thanks for this information, and for sharing in a timely manner.