1.  The Council of Ministers approved today the resolution that changes the measures in the context of the calamity situation, introducing a set of new restrictions.

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;

– The regime applicable to the subsidy in situations of illness is extended by COVID-19.

In Portuguese: