Prime Minister António Costa said that the new rules would in into place “as of Monday”.
The municipalities of Moura, Odemira, Portimão and Rio Maior have all registered an incidence rate of cases of Covid-19 above 240 per 100,000 inhabitants in the last 14 days. This means that all of these municipalities will now return to phase 1 of lockdown – leading to the closure of terraces once again.
The municipalities of Alandroal, Albufeira, Beja, Carregal do Sal, Figueira da Foz, Marinha Grande and Penela remain in the second phase, which has been in force since April 5, because they have all registered an incidence rate greater than 120 cases per 100,000 nhabitants in the last 14 days.
Despite being prevented from advancing to the third phase, these 11 highest-risk municipalities will follow the plan for the reopening of schools and also return to face-to-face education for secondary and higher education students - as in the rest of the Portuguese continent - , because "measures relating to the education system will always be national measures".
The next assessment of the easing of lockdown plan will be made in 15 days and the Government expects that the municipalities at the highest risk may be in a different situation by then, with a reduction in the incidence rate, which will allow them to proceed to the next phase.
Going back to phase 1
The restrictions and measures foreseen in the first phase of the easing of lockdown plan will be applied again, starting on Monday, in the municipalities of Moura, Odemira, Portimão and Rio Maior.
The setback implies the closure of terraces, shops up to 200 square meters (m2) with a door to the street, gyms, museums, monuments, palaces, art galleries and the like.
There will also be a ban on fairs and non-food markets, as well as low-risk sports.
In these four counties, it is forbidden to move outside the municipality again, a restriction that applies daily, starting on Monday and for the next 15 days, even though exceptions are foreseen, such as for work or to give assistance to family members.
Still permitted in these municipalities:
- Sale from the door
- Hairdressing salons, manicurists and the like, after prior appointment;
- Retail establishments for books and musical supports;
- Parks, gardens, green spaces and leisure spaces;
- Libraries and archives.
Staying in phase 2
The municipalities of Alandroal, Albufeira, Beja, Carregal do Sal, Figueira da Foz, Marinha Grande and Penela maintain the measures in force, without being able to proceed to the third phase of the easing of lockdown plan.
Still permitted in these municipalities:
- Operation of stores up to 200 m2 with a door to the street;
- Fairs and non-food markets (by municipal decision);
- Operation of terraces, with a maximum limit of four people per table, until 10:30 pm on weekdays and until 1:00 pm on weekends;
- Practice of sports considered to be of low risk;
- Outdoor physical activity for up to four people;
- Operation of gyms without group classes;
- Functioning of social facilities in the area of disability.
Well here we go again, just when we got started on way back to recovery. Please God, it ends soon. The Goodwill thanks you all for your support
By Gordon from Other on 16 Apr 2021, 10:07
Living in Portimao, i have seen many not wearing masks and many behaving like they have never seen a coffee or beer before! Its really just the people and the people are making it difficult. Even Thailand has gotten their situation under control. For a country that is not even over populated, this behavior seems absolutely ignorant! People need to either make a difference or stay stuck!
By piya from Algarve on 16 Apr 2021, 11:42
Dear Gordon, GOD doesn't help.......if people are stupid....there is no vaccine about it....and the rest of the population suffer because of them.
Have some respect for each other and behave properly.
By Joao from Algarve on 16 Apr 2021, 11:46
All that’s talked about is cases, cases, case.
What are the ages of the people who are sick?
Are they hospitalized and for how long?
If so, are they in an ICU?
If so, are they on a ventilator?
None of this is ever reported.
Lately, it’s younger people who are sick and are only hospitalized for a very short period of time and not in an UCU or on a ventilator.
What should be reported are the number of people hospitalized and the number of deaths which are both way down, but then people couldn’t be frightened into submission.
By José from USA on 16 Apr 2021, 15:01
Invaluable aid - adds clarity for Portimao/Alvor residents that have limited Portuguese language skills.
By Brian Ross from Algarve on 16 Apr 2021, 17:33
What a joke.
Just hell bent on self destruction. There is hardly anybody with the cold. And then they wonder why other countries put them on the red list. "we want to welcome back tourists" my arse. You just want to keep everybody under the big thumb.
By martin from Lisbon on 17 Apr 2021, 07:07
Surely with such a small rate of transmission in this area they should be able to contain it with track and trace or are they just ignoring it
By Danny Montgomery from Algarve on 21 Apr 2021, 19:32