Portugal, the country of the European Union with highest vaccination rate (87%), also returns to confinements. He does it in the middle of a new wave of infections, with a cumulative incidence over 14 days that exceeds 200 cases and more than 3,000 cases a day in recent days. The 3,773 positives last Wednesday represent the highest figure in the last four months.
Therefore, and given the foreseeable increase in mobility in the coming months due to the arrival of the Christmas holidays, the Portuguese Government has already announced the new measures to be applied. “No matter the success of the vaccination, we must be aware that we are entering a phase of increased risk“said Prime Minister Antonio Costa. Portugal will enter ‘state of calamity’ as of December 1, and during the first week of January 2022 the citizens will be confined.
This state of calamity means returning to Highest level of response to catastrophic situations, such as, in this case, the advance of the pandemic. In this way, the access restrictions to closed places, in order to stop the increase in infections. With these measures they intend, according to Antonio Costa, “to prevent next month from approaching the tragic January 2021“
Confinement and other measures
During this first week of the new year, the mandatory telework in all companies, the closure of the hotel and restaurant industry and back-to-school suspension, which is postponed until the 10th of the same month. All by establishments will be compensated for this forced confinement, as confirmed by the Portuguese prime minister.
The measure that they have not applied is to prohibit travel through the territory or Christmas celebrations. Of course, it encourages the population to take test before traditional meetings. “The Portuguese know that your own behavior controls the evolution of the pandemic, in addition to the pharmacological protection of the vaccine. Obviously when there are fewer restrictions, there is greater individual responsibility, “Costa said.
Masks are also returning to closed spaces (after they ceased to be), COVID certificates (in restaurants, hotels and events) and test to enter residences, hospitals and large events without assigned seats. Portugal also tightens restrictions on foreign travelers, since a negative test will be required. In this regard, the prime minister was critical of the airlines, which he accuses of not verifying whether travelers enter with the test or the certificate. “It is an act of profound irresponsibility to transport people who are not tested,” he criticized, threatening to withdraw the flight license.
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