Page created: 12th November 2020
Latest update 1st October 2022
End of the Situation of Alert 23.59 hrs 30th September 2022.
The Government decided, this Thursday 29th September 2022, in the Council of Ministers not to extend the alert situation due to the pandemic.
The Government’s decision not to extend the alert situation in mainland territory, as well as the cessation of validity of several decree-laws and resolutions approved in the context of the pandemic, drops, among other measures, the one that has become more representative of the two years of intense combat against covid-19, isolation. From the first day of October, the quarantine of an infected person is no longer mandatory.
In a statement sent to newsrooms, the Ministry of Health details, what changes with the end of the alert situation at 23.59 hrs 30th September 2022
What changes?
- Isolation is no longer mandatory;
- The mechanism for granting temporary incapacity for work due to Covid-19 and the associated allowance, which will no longer have a special regime, ceases to benefit from the regime for other illness situations;
- Tests for covid-19 are no longer prescribed via SNS24. They are now reimbursed upon medical prescription, similar to other analysis and complementary means of diagnosis (MCDT), with the Covid-19 test being reimbursed 100% when prescribed in a health unit of the National Health Service (SNS).
Example
The citizen starts respiratory symptoms. As with any respiratory disease, you should reinforce hygiene care (frequent hand washing, coughing into your arm) and seek to reduce the risk of contagion to others, in particular the most vulnerable (mask is recommended);
For absence from work/school, the same mechanisms apply as for other illnesses;
In case of worsening or persistence of symptoms, you should seek medical advice, with the Health Centre/Family Health Unit or SNS24 being the gateway to the SNS. In an emergency, call 112.
WHAT REMAINS
The use of a mask remains mandatory in health establishments and services and in Residential Structures for Elderly People (ERPI).
Recommendations:
Vulnerable population
According to the recommendations of the Directorate-General for Health (DGS), health units and ERPI should promote infection control measures.
Frequent hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette and adequate distancing should be maintained when symptomatic.
School Community
According to DGS recommendations, school establishments should promote frequent hand washing and adequate ventilation of spaces.
Large concentrations
According to the recommendations of the DGS, during the autumn/winter period, ventilation and/or the use of a mask should be promoted in places with a high concentration of people where distancing is not possible, in particular the most vulnerable.
During the two years of the pandemic, more than 200 laws were made, including decrees, Council of Ministers resolutions or DGS standards. They all end now. Only measures to protect the most vulnerable people, such as the elderly or some types of sick, are maintained.
Two and a half years ago, on March 18, 2020, a state of emergency was decreed in Portugal, through Decree of the President of the Republic n.º 14-A/2020, of March 18, in response to the situation of public health emergency caused by the epidemic of the COVID-19 disease. (This was shared with highlights in English by the SCP team at the time).
The alert situation, the lowest level of response to disaster situations in the Civil Protection Basic Law, has been in force uninterruptedly since February, after Portugal has experienced, since March 2020, calamity, catastrophe and state of emergency situations.
Previous update 28th July 2022
The Council of Ministers approved a resolution that extends the measures in the context of Covid-19 until 23:59 on August 31, 2022. “The rules currently in force remain”, said Minister Mariana Vieira da Silva at the after-meeting press conference.
In particular, the continuation of the mandatory use of a mask in public transport, pharmacies or Health services.
The mandatory requirement to wear masks finished on 22nd April 2022 except for the following exceptions.
1. “The Council of Ministers today approved the declaration of the alert situation throughout mainland Portugal until 23,59 hrs on May 5, 2022, and introduced changes with regard to measures to prevent and combat the Covid-19..
Given the positive evolution regarding the epidemiological situation in Portugal, the Government decided to review some of the restrictive measures still in force, namely:
The mandatory use of a mask is limited to places characterized by the special vulnerability of the people who frequent them (health establishments and services, residential structures, reception or home support services for vulnerable populations or the elderly, as well as units of long-term care) and to places characterized by intensive use (collective passenger transport, including air transport, passenger transport by taxi or TVDE);”
The Passenger Locator Form is revoked, and it is no longer mandatory to fill it out by passengers on flights to or from mainland Portugal or cruise ships when they dock in mainland Portugal”;
The rules for carrying out diagnostic tests for SARS-CoV-2 are no longer fixed, and it is now foreseen that their use/performance can be determined by the DGS”;
EU Digital Certificate “the EU Digital Covid Certificate in the test or recovery modality or other proof of laboratory performance, negative test under the terms defined by the DGS and INSA or vaccination booster dose certificate is no longer required, for access to residential structures and for visits to health care establishments, with the DGS being responsible for determining specific standards and guidelines for the protection of the most vulnerable populations”.
Latest update 19th February 2022
Resolution of Council of Ministers 25-A/2022 published 18th February 2022
Highlights as follows – Read full law in informal English here:
Restrictions which are ending from 19th February 2022
- Confinement of people considered as contacts of risk ceases to apply
- End on capacity limits in establishments and any other places opened to the public
- End of requirement to present proof of testing with a negative result for access to major events, sports venues, bars and nightclubs
- The teleworking recommendation ends and by Decree-Law n. 23-A/2022 also the control of body temperature to workers for the purpose of access and stay in the workplace
- End on presentation of certificates, except at border control
Restrictions that are continuing from 19th February
i) Presentation of the EU COVID Digital Certificate in the modalities of test or recovery certificate, as provided for in Decree-Law No. 54-A/2021
ii) Presentation of other proof of laboratory testing with a negative result
iii) Carrying out a test with a negative result, under the terms to be defined by the DGS and INSA
FOR:
- Visits to nursing homes
- Visits to inpatients
2. Decree-Law 10-A/2020 via article 13-B Use of masks and visors remains in force by Decree-Law 23-A/2022
3. Exceptions to the rules on presentation of certificates
- Those under 12 years old
- Anyone who demonstrates having been vaccinated with a booster dose of a COVID-19 vaccine
Previous update 9th January 2022
Resolution of Council of Ministers 2-A/2022
Effective 00.00 hrs 10th January 2022
Highlights as follows – Read more full law here in informal English.
Testing is still mandatory for visits to nursing homes or for visiting patients hospitalized, as well as for access to large events, events without assigned seats or in improvised venues and sports grounds (unless otherwise decided by the Directorate-General of Health).
Exemption – Those who have been vaccinated with a booster dose more than 14 days ago or have a recovery certificate.
Bars and nightclubs – Reopen after 22h00 of January 14.
Entry with a negative test or Recovery certificate.
Exemption – Those who have been vaccinated with a booster dose more than 14 days ago.
Ban on drinking alcoholic on the public spaces remains in force.
Certificates – Vaccination or Recovery or Test – for access to restaurants, tourist establishments and local accommodation, cultural shows, cinemas, events with assigned seating and gyms.
-Self-tests to be valid under the terms to be defined by the DGS and by INSA, IP.
Work – Compulsory teleworking is extended until January 14.
After this date, it will be “recommended”.
Shopping establishments – Bans on sales and promotions end, but restrictions on capacity remain: only one person per five square meters.
Communique of Council Ministers with main measures here in informal English
Previous Update 23rd December 2021
The Council of Ministers announced the measures for the period 25th December 2021 to 9th January 2022.
Read in conjunction with the Resolution of the Council of Ministers 181-A/2021
Download in informal English here
Given the current regime, the following changes are highlighted:
– A set of special measures applicable between December 25, 2021 and January 9, 2022 is foreseen:
- Mandatory telework throughout the continental national territory;
- The closure of bars, other non-spectacled drinking establishments and establishments with dance venues is determined;
- Limits are set in relation to the occupation of publicly accessible spaces, providing as a rule the indicative maximum occupancy of 0.20 people per square meter of area, with the exception of establishments providing services;
- New rules are established for access to tourist establishments or local accommodation, with access now depending on the presentation of the EU COVID Digital Certificate in the form of test or recovery certificate, or on the presentation of proof of laboratory testing with negative result;
- Access to events, namely non-religious New Year’s parties or celebrations, family events, including weddings and baptisms, corporate events, cultural events or sporting events, depends on the presentation of the COVID Digital Certificate of the EU in the modalities of test or recovery certificate, or the presentation of proof of laboratory testing with a negative result, without prejudice to the definition by the DGS of the characteristics of the events in which the presentation of these certificates or tests is waived.
– A set of special measures is foreseen for the Christmas and New Year period:
- On December 24, 25, 30 and 31 and January 1, 2022, access to food and beverage establishments and gambling establishments, casinos, bingos or similar, depends on the presentation of the COVID Digital Certificate from EU in the modalities of test or recovery certificate, the presentation of other proof of laboratory testing with a negative result or the performance of a test with a negative result, under the terms to be defined by the DGS and INSA;
- The same requirement applies to guests of tourist establishments or local accommodation when accessing celebrations held in these places when proof of a test with a negative result has been presented for more than 72 or 48 hours, depending on the type of test;
- On December 24, 25, 30 and 31, 2021 and January 1, 2022, the consumption of alcoholic beverages in open-air spaces with public access and public roads is prohibited, with the exception of the open terraces of food and beverage establishments. similar duly licensed for that purpose.
2. The decree-law that amends the measures within the scope of the COVID-19 disease pandemic with regard to the suspension of academic and non-teaching activities and the establishment of special rules in terms of consumer protection was also approved. In particular, it is determined that:
– Suspension of classroom and non-teaching activities will now cover the period from December 27th to January 9th;
– The application of the exceptional family support regime foreseen for the period from 2 to 9 January 2022 will also cover the period from 27 to 31 December 2021;
– In terms of consumer protection and sales on balances, it is established that:
- The period for exercising consumer rights that ends between December 26 and January 9, or within 10 days after that period, is extended to January 31, 2022;
- Between December 25, 2021 and January 9, 2022, commercial practices with a price reduction are prohibited in establishments;
Previous update 28th November 2021
The Council of Ministers announced the following new measures will come into effect Wednesday 1st December 2021.
Read in conjunction with Resolution of Council of Ministers Situation of Contingency 157/2021 dated 27th November 2021 which has the full details.
In informal English here:
1. The Council of Ministers approved on 25th November the resolution declaring the situation of calamity throughout the continental national territory as of 00:00 am on December 1st.
The following changes are highlighted in relation to the current regime:
It is determined, between 2 and 9 January 2022, the mandatory adoption of the telework regime in the continental national territory, regardless of the employment relationship, whenever the functions in question allow it;
Teleworking is recommended whenever the functions in question allow it;
The presentation of the EU COVID Digital Certificate for access to:
- tourist and local accommodation establishments;
- restaurant and similar establishments (not applicable in relation to stay in open terraces);
- events with marked places;
- gyms.
The mandatory submission of a negative test (even for vaccinated) is determined when accessing:
- Visits to residential structures (for the elderly, integrated long-term care units of the National Integrated Long-term Care Network and other residential structures and responses dedicated to children, youth and people with disabilities);
- Visits to users admitted to health care establishments;
- Large-scale events without marked seats or improvised venues and sports venues;
- Bars and clubs.
Closing of clubs and bars between the 2nd and 9th of January.
A number of special measures are introduced in the field of testing for travel purposes, including:
- Requirement, for all flights to mainland Portugal, to present the EU COVID Digital Certificate in the form of a test certificate or proof of negative test (nucleic acid amplification test or rapid antigen test), carried out at 72 or 48 hours prior to departure time;
- the application, with the necessary adaptations, to land, sea and river borders of the rules applicable to entry into national territory by air is determined.
2. The decree-law amending the measures in the scope of the COVID-19 disease pandemic was also approved, namely:
Extends the exceptional and transitory regime for the reorganization of work and minimization of the risk of transmission of the COVID-19 disease infection within the scope of labour relations until March 31, 2022;
Extends the extraordinary income support of workers until the last day of February 2022;
Suspends classroom, non-teaching and training activities in educational establishments and social facilities between January 2nd and 9th, 2022, which will be compensated with 5 days of classes during Carnival and Easter breaks. At the same time, childcare schools are again guaranteed for children or other dependents in charge of workers mobilized for the service or on standby, and the previous system of justification for absences, associated with support for children or other dependents in a minor position, is replicated. 12 years resulting from suspension of classroom activities and non-teaching activities outside periods of school interruption, safeguarding food support for students who need it;
Interruption, between January 2 and 9, of classroom activities at higher education institutions, without prejudice to ongoing assessments.
The use of a mask is now mandatory in:
- Spaces, equipment and commercial and service establishments, regardless of the respective area;
- Public buildings or buildings for public use where services are provided or acts involving the public are carried out;
- Stadiums (clarifying that it is included in the concept of venues for sporting events and celebrations);
- Buildings in which the entrance gates or the boarding, access or exit piers are located in the context of the use of public transport for passengers and air transport.
………………………………..
Measures in force until 23.59 hrs 30th November 2021
Resolution of Council of Ministers Situation of Alert 142-A/2021 29th October 2021
In Portuguese here
Current Situation of Contingency replaced by Situation of Alert to 23.59 hrs 31st October 2021
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