Frequently asked questions

Updated as of the 19th April 2021 from Estamos on (Government website) There have been some changes since then with effect from 1st May 2021. For more recent information refer to the Resolution of the Council of Ministers Situation of Calamity published here in English and the Safe Communities Portugal page here 

 

Can catering establishments and the like maintain their functioning?

These establishments can work for:

  1. Confectionery intended for consumption outside the establishment through home delivery (directly or through an intermediary), with the provision of alcoholic beverages not being allowed after 8:00 pm;
  2. Availability of packed meals or products at the door of the establishment or at the wicket (take-away), although, in this case, the sale of any type of drinks as well as the consumption of meals or products at the door of the establishment is prohibited .

From the 19th of April:

In the municipalities that are advancing in the deflation plan :

They open restaurants, cafes and pastry shops with a maximum of 4 people per table (or 6 on terraces, per group) until 10 pm or 1 pm at weekends and holidays.

In the municipalities that maintain the level keep the rules :

Restaurants, cafes and pastry shops can keep the terraces open with the restriction of a maximum of 4 people per table.

In the counties that fall back on the deflation plan :

Restaurants, cafes and pastry shops must close the terraces.

Home delivery and take-away can take place until what time?

There is no time limit.

Can canteens, cafeterias and snack bars inserted in hospital spaces remain open?

Yes.

Can coffees and pastries work?

The same regime applies to restaurants.

In home deliveries, the supply of alcoholic beverages is not allowed after 8:00 pm, from what time is allowed?

After 8:00 pm, the supply of alcoholic beverages, within the scope of home deliveries, can only be resumed, on the following day, from the opening hours of the establishment, determined according to the normal hours in force before the pandemic.

 

Commercial Establishments

 
Can grocery stores, mini-markets, supermarkets and hypermarkets work?

Yes, until 9 pm on weekdays and until 7 pm on weekends and holidays.

Can hairdressers, barbers, beauticians and aesthetic beauty professionals work?

These establishments can operate according to the rules defined by the DGS .

Can tattoo and piercing services work?

These establishments can operate according to the rules defined by the DGS .

Can bookstores work?

These establishments can operate throughout the country according to the rules defined by the DGS.

Can post offices, bank branches and agencies of insurance intermediaries or insurance companies work?

Yes.

Can small neighbourhood stores, with a door to the street and up to 200 m2, work?

In the municipalities that are advancing in the deflation plan :

Yes, respecting the rules of the DGS.

In the municipalities that maintain the level keep the rules :

Yes, respecting the rules of the DGS.

In the counties that fall back on the deflation plan :

Only stores that offer basic necessities or other essential goods or that provide basic necessities or other essential services may operate, according to the list attached to the Decree that regulates the State of Emergency.

Can industry and construction work?

Yes.

Can DIY stores work?

Yes.

Can service areas and filling stations on highways work?

Yes.

Can fuel filling stations and electric vehicle charging stations work?

Yes.

Can freight transport (rent-a-cargo) and passenger car hire (rent-a-car) services work?

Yes.

Can commercial establishments at airports operate?

Yes, as long as they are located inside airports in continental territory, after the passenger security control.

Outside food establishments, is it possible to sell or deliver products to the wicket (for example, in clothing stores)?

Yes.

Are balances and promotions campaigns allowed?

Advertising is prohibited in connection with sales and promotion campaigns that promote the flow of people in establishments open to the public.

The ban does not cover sales campaigns and promotions related to online sales.

Are there new opening hours for commercial establishments?

The establishments in operation close at 20:00 on weekdays and at 13:00 on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.

Food establishments close at 20:00 on weekdays and at 17:00 on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.

 

Public services

Can citizen’s stores operate?

Citizen Stores reopen on April 19 with face-to-face service by appointment. Until then, some services or in-store counters are operating exceptionally. You can find out more about this question at  ttps: //eportugal.gov.pt/covid-19/atendimento-nas-lojas-de-cidadao

 

Accommodation and Hospitality

Can tourist establishments and local accommodation establishments operate?

Hotels, tourist establishments, local accommodation establishments can remain open, as well as those establishments that guarantee student accommodation.

Can hotel bars and restaurants work?

The bars and restaurants of the hotels are closed for service at the establishment, however, they can function for delivery to the guest rooms ( room service ) or for the provision of meals or products packaged at the door of the hotels ( take-away ), although, in this case, the sale of any type of drinks as well as the consumption of meals or products at the door of the establishment or in its surroundings is prohibited.

Can hotels serve in-room meals?

They can only deliver meals in the room (room service) or make it available at the entrance of the hotel.

 

Homes, Nurseries and Occupational Activity Centres

Are support facilities for people with disabilities in operation?

Yes, all support facilities for people with disabilities, namely the Activities and Training Centers for Inclusion, are in operation throughout the country.

Are there new rules for home visits? And for the exits of users?

Home visits are allowed, provided that the rules of safety and physical distance are observed, and may be temporarily suspended by the local health authority depending on the evolution of the epidemiological situation.

When users leave the institution for a period of less than 24 hours, it is not necessary to carry out a laboratory test to Covid-19 or to comply with an isolation period when returning to the institution.

When leaving for more than 24 hours, users who have recovered from Covid-19 infection in the last 90 days are also exempt from performing the test and from completing the isolation period. Users who have a complete vaccination against Covid-19 will have to carry out a laboratory test to Covid-19 on their return to the institution, which may coincide with the realization of the screening in progress at the institution, being exempt from fulfilling isolation.

Are day centers in operation?

In the counties that advance in the plan of deflation and in the counties that maintain the rules, the day centers that work in isolation work without any restriction. The rest require prior validation of security conditions.

In municipalities that fall back on the level of deflation, day centers are not in operation.

Are the social centers in operation?

No. Their activities remain suspended.

Are the leisure activity centers in operation?

Yes.

Are the daycare centers in operation?

Yes, daycare centers are in operation across the country.

 

Events and Leisure

Can wedding parties and baptisms be held?

In the municipalities that are advancing in the deflation plan :

Weddings and baptisms can take place as long as they do so respecting the 25% space limit. In these municipalities, the hourly limits provided for with respect to weddings and baptisms, including the provision of meals and other services provided exclusively to guests, do not apply.

In the municipalities that maintain the level keep the rules :

No. Celebrations and other events are prohibited, and weddings and baptisms are included in this prohibition.

In the counties that fall back on the deflation plan :

No. Celebrations and other events are prohibited, and weddings and baptisms are included in this prohibition.

Can cultural shows take place?

In municipalities that are advancing in terms of deflation, cultural shows are allowed as long as safety rules are complied with.

In the municipalities that maintain the rules and in the municipalities that fall back on the plan of deflation, cultural spectacles are prohibited.

What operating hours are allowed for cultural facilities?

In the counties that are advancing in the plan of deflation, all cultural facilities close at 10:30 pm on weekdays and at 1:00 pm on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.

In the municipalities that maintain the rules and in the municipalities that fall back on the deconfination plan, museums, monuments, palaces, archaeological sites and the like, close at 10:30 pm on weekdays and at 1:00 pm on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. The rest of the cultural facilities are closed.

Can congress pavilions, multipurpose rooms, conference rooms and multipurpose pavilions work?

 

Transportation

Can public transport work?

Yes. Public transport continues to operate with the necessary adjustments to serve the population.

Are there any new restrictions on public passenger transport vehicles, taxis, etc.?

No. As for these transport services, the existing rules are maintained.

Can vehicle inspection centers and examination centers be open?

Inspection centers can only operate by appointment.

Are rail and river transport between Portugal and Spain working?

Passenger transport on these services is suspended. Only freight transport works.

 

Education and training

Are schools functioning?

Yes, schools are in operation across the country.

Are higher education institutions functioning?

Yes, higher education institutions are in operation throughout the country, with recommendations being issued so that their operation complies with the necessary security measures.

However, it is forbidden, in the academic context of higher education, to hold celebrations, as well as recreational or recreational activities.

Are Study Centers or Tutoring Centers in operation?

Yes, the Study or Tutoring Centers are in operation across the country.

Are the educational activity establishments in operation?

Yes. Training activities are allowed throughout the country.

Can libraries and files work?

These establishments can operate throughout the country according to the rules defined by the DGS.

 

Physical and sports activity

Can gyms operate?

In the municipalities that advance in the plan of deflation and in those that maintain the rules , the gyms can work, as long as they do not have group classes and in compliance with the guidelines of the DGS.

In counties that fall back on the level of deflation , gyms cannot operate.

What physical and sporting activities are allowed?

In the municipalities that are advancing in the deflation plan :

It is permitted, provided that in compliance with the specific guidelines of the DGS:

  1. The practice of all professional and equivalent training and competitive activities, as long as there is no public;
  2. The practice of physical activity outdoors, in groups of up to six people; and
  3. The practice of all training and competitive activities, provided that there is no public, of low and medium risk sports, such as:
  • Basketball
  • Soccer
  • Futsal
  • Volleyball
  • Handball
  • Hockey
  • Swimming (open water, artistic jumping, pure)
  • Paddle
  • Sport Fishing / Deep Sea Sport Fishing
  • Mountaineering
  • Caravanning
  • Camping and Caravanning
  • Canyoning
  • Climbing
  • Ski-Mountaineering
  • Mountaineering
  • Hiking
  • Skyrunning
  • Bobsleigh
  • Curling
  • Skiing (Alpine, Cross-country, Freestyle)
  • Ice Hockey
  • Luge
  • Figure Skating (individual)
  • Ice Speed Skating
  • Synchronized Skating (group)
  • Skeleton
  • Snowboard
  • Artistic, Rhythmic Gymnastics, trampolines, tumbling, aerobics, for all and TeamGym
  • Motorcycling (Enduro, Super-Enduro, Sprint-Enduro, Off-road, Motocross, Supercross, Mototourism, Supermoto, Trial, Speed)
  • Figure Skating (individual)
  • Speed Skating
  • Skateboarding
  • Horsemanship
  • Karate (individual kata / team kata – no bunkai)
  • Underwater Activities (Audiovisuals, Sport Diving, Snorkeling, Fins Swimming, Underwater Guidance, Underwater Fishing, Underwater Shooting)
  • Aeromodelling
  • General Aviation
  • Ballooning
  • Ultralight
  • Sailing Flight
  • Acrobatic Flight
  • Qigong (non-contact)
  • Tai Ji (no contact)
  • Wushu Kung Fu (shapes / Taolu)
  • Athletics
  • Motorsport and Karting (Speed, Rallies, Off-Road, Mountain, Ralicross, Karting, Regularity, Trial 4 × 4, Drift, Drag racing and Skill / Slalom)
  • Badminton
  • Billiards
  • Bridge
  • Canoeing
  • Cycling
  • Columbofilia
  • Sports Dance (solo)
  • Checkers
  • Polybat
  • Goalball
  • Torball
  • Tricycle
  • Boccia
  • Slalom
  • Fencing
  • Golf
  • Kempo (kata / shapes)
  • Motor boating (aquabike, jet ski, powerboat, radio-controlled, wakeboard water ski)
  • Guidance
  • Skydiving
  • Modern Pentathlon (includes biatle and laser run)
  • Petanque
  • Rowing / Indoor Rowing
  • Surfing (body surf, bodyboard, kneeboard, longboard, skimboard, SUP wave, surf and town in and town out)
  • Tennis / Table Tennis
  • Shot
  • Archery
  • Shooting with hunting weapons
  • Kiteboard
  • Candle
  • Beach Volleyball
  • Hang gliding
  • Paramotor
  • Paragliding
  • Chess
  • Triathlon
  • Weightlifting
  • Baseball and Softball
  • Taekwondo (poomsae)
  • Beach Handball
  • Line Hockey
  • Roller Hockey
  • Squash
  • Aquatlon
  • Underwater Hockey (6 × 6)
  • Underwater Rugby (12 × 12)
  • Korfball
  • Wheelchair Rugby
  • Beach football
  • Water polo

In the municipalities that maintain the level keep the rules :

It is permitted, provided that in compliance with the specific guidelines of the DGS:

  1. The practice of all professional and equivalent training and competitive activities, as long as there is no public;
  2. The practice of physical activity outdoors, in groups of up to four people; and
  3. The practice of all training and competitive activities, provided that there is no public, of low-risk sports, such as:
  • Swimming (open water, artistic jumping, pure)
  • Paddle
  • Sport Fishing / Deep Sea Sport Fishing
  • Mountaineering
  • Caravanning
  • Camping and Caravanning
  • Canyoning
  • Climbing
  • Ski-Mountaineering
  • Mountaineering
  • Hiking
  • Skyrunning
  • Bobsleigh
  • Curling
  • Skiing (Alpine, Cross-country, Freestyle)
  • Ice Hockey
  • Luge
  • Figure Skating (individual)
  • Ice Speed Skating
  • Synchronized Skating (group)
  • Skeleton
  • Snowboard
  • Artistic, Rhythmic Gymnastics, trampolines, tumbling, aerobics, for all and TeamGym
  • Motorcycling (Enduro, Super-Enduro, Sprint-Enduro, Off-road, Motocross, Supercross, Mototourism, Supermoto, Trial, Speed)
  • Figure Skating (individual)
  • Speed Skating
  • Skateboarding
  • Horsemanship
  • Karate (individual kata / team kata – no bunkai)
  • Underwater Activities (Audiovisuals, Sport Diving, Snorkeling, Fins Swimming, Underwater Guidance, Underwater Fishing, Underwater Shooting)
  • Aeromodelling
  • General Aviation
  • Ballooning
  • Ultralight
  • Sailing Flight
  • Acrobatic Flight
  • Qigong (non-contact)
  • Tai Ji (no contact)
  • Wushu Kung Fu (shapes / Taolu)
  • Athletics
  • Motorsport and Karting (Speed, Rallies, Off-Road, Mountain, Ralicross, Karting, Regularity, Trial 4 × 4, Drift, Drag racing and Skill / Slalom)
  • Badminton
  • Billiards
  • Bridge
  • Canoeing
  • Cycling
  • Columbofilia
  • Sports Dance (solo)
  • Checkers
  • Polybat
  • Goalball
  • Torball
  • Tricycle
  • Boccia
  • Slalom
  • Fencing
  • Golf
  • Kempo (kata / shapes)
  • Motor boating (aquabike, jet ski, powerboat, radio-controlled, wakeboard water ski)
  • Guidance
  • Skydiving
  • Modern Pentathlon (includes biatle and laser run)
  • Petanque
  • Rowing / Indoor Rowing
  • Surfing (body surf, bodyboard, kneeboard, longboard, skimboard, SUP wave, surf and town in and town out)
  • Tennis / Table Tennis
  • Shot
  • Archery
  • Shooting with hunting weapons
  • Kiteboard
  • Candle
  • Beach Volleyball
  • Hang gliding
  • Paramotor
  • Paragliding
  • Chess
  • Triathlon
  • Weightlifting
  • Baseball and Softball
  • Taekwondo (poomsae)

In counties that fall back on the deflation plan, only the following are allowed:

  • Physical activity and the training of individual outdoor sports;
  • Professional and similar training and competitive activities, without an audience and in compliance with DGS guidelines.

 

 

 

Risk Groups

Risk groups for COVID 19 include:

  • Old people;
  • People with chronic diseases – heart, lung, diabetes, neoplasms or high blood pressure, among others;
  • People with compromised immune systems (undergoing chemotherapy treatments, treatments for autoimmune diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis or some inflammatory bowel diseases), HIV / AIDS infection or transplant patients.

People with asthma are considered to be at risk. Therefore, the social isolation measures recommended by the Directorate-General for Health are advised:

  • Stay at home. You should only leave the house if it is strictly necessary. Avoid close contact with people;
  • Protect yourself, as you are at a higher risk of infection. You should always keep the therapy you regularly follow;
  • Comply with hygiene rules and respiratory etiquette;
  • In case of worsening, start the SOS medication you use in crises and contact SNS24.
  • Pay attention to signs and symptoms. If you get sick, stay home and call SNS24.

Yes. Anyone with diabetes, regardless of their age, is always at a higher risk if they become ill with COVID-19, although the risk is always higher in older people.

A child or young person with type 1 diabetes, due to his illness, is at higher risk than a healthy child or young person.

At this time, it is not recommended that children be with their grandparents as they are considered a vulnerable group. Although children are less affected by this disease and have milder symptoms, they can transmit the virus to others.

It is preferable that children and grandparents talk through social networks, chats and cell phones during this phase of transmission of the disease.

Isolation

You must stay at home. You should not go to work, school or public spaces. Stay in your own room and avoid contact with others in common spaces. Do not share dishes, glasses, kitchen utensils, sheets or other personal effects.

When you are with other people, wear a mask. Follow hand washing and respiratory etiquette recommendations. Monitor the symptoms and put your waste in a special bag.

Contact with the person with symptoms should be avoided, especially if they belong to vulnerable groups: elderly, chronically ill, immunosuppressed and pregnant women. Preferably, it should be a single person to take care of those who are sick.

After contact with the patient or his space, wash your hands with soap and water or with an alcohol-based solution. Frequently disinfect taps, switches and door handles, especially if the sick person uses common spaces.

People who are in isolation should not travel to work, school, public spaces or other places; receiving visits at home or having unnecessary contacts, especially with older people or those with chronic illnesses; use common spaces with other people present, including during mealtimes; sharing personal hygiene items; share the use of objects, if this is not possible, disinfect the equipment before and after each use and use a dustbin just for you.

No. Only the people who live with the person infected with COVID-19 should be in the home. Should urgent contact be required with/by someone who does not cohabit with the person in isolation, this should always be by telephone.

Smoking and COVID-19

There are no studies to confirm this. However, if the person who smokes already has respiratory or cardiac problems, this can contribute to worsening of the clinical situation, if they become infected with COVID-19. A long-time smoker already has pulmonary alterations that may be associated with pneumonia in case of COVID-19 infection.

The clinical risks must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis because each person’s reaction to the infection will be different. However, we know that someone who is exposed to passive smoking for eight hours per day carries similar risks to someone who smokes 10 cigarettes per day.

The recovery of lung capacity is not immediate. But anyone who decides to quit smoking should do so because it will always make a difference (cancer, stroke, acute myocardial infarction, COPD and other comorbidities) and will always have benefits for your health – in the short and long term.

Yes, no objects of personal use, including cigarettes, should be shared with other people. The virus is transmitted via our mucous membranes (mouth, eyes and nose).

Stigma