New State of Emergency – What Changes from 31st January Onwards

A new State of Emergency has come into force at 0:00 on 31^st January until 11:59pm on 14^th February 2021. From there onwards, a new one, with only slightly changes, will come into force until the end of the month.

What changed from the previous State of Emergency?

Due to the high number of COVID-19 cases for the past weeks, further rules are now in place:

• The suspension of educational and teaching activities of all educational establishments is effective until 5^th February 2021. These activities will resume online on 8^th February;
• Whenever necessary, the therapeutic support at special education establishments, schools and centres for inclusion can be secured in person;
• The limitation to travel by any means (with a few exceptions) is applied to all Portuguese citizens;
• The control of people at borders;
• The possibility of flights’ suspension and the determination of mandatory confinement for passengers upon arrival;
• The possibility for health care establishments of the National Health Service to be able, exceptionally, to hire, up to the limit of one year, holders of academic degrees conferred by foreign higher education institutions in the fields of medicine and nursing, provided that certain requirements are met.

These measures add up to the ones into force in previous weeks, such as:

• Prohibition of movement between municipalities at the weekend;
• Weekdays – all shops and supermarkets close at 8pm;
• Weekends – shops close at 1pm; supermarkets and grocery stores close at 5pm;
• Restaurants operate exclusively for home delivery or takeaway (it is prohibited to sell alcohol and other drinks and food must be consumed at home);
• Short walks for physical activity, individually or with members of the same household and pet walking are allowed (lingering in public gardens and leisure areas is forbidden);
• Home curfew is a duty for all citizens, except for a set of authorised movements, namely: acquisition of essential goods and services, performance of professional activities when there is no possibility to work from home, fulfilment of parental responsibilities, among others;
• Mandatory presentation of a declaration by the employer for those traveling on public roads for work reasons;
• Mandatory curfew for people who tested positive for COVID-19 or on active surveillance;
• A wide range of facilities and establishments shall remain closed, including for cultural and leisure activities, sports activities and spas;
• Public services are available by appointment only, since the priority is the use of digital platforms.

What if I do not comply?

Heavier fines are now applied:

• Not complying with working from home is now a very serious offence;
• Not taking a COVID-19 test upon arrival at the airport is subject to a fine between 300€ and 800€;
• Fines are doubled during the State of Emergency.