Deputy Manuel Gonçalves, head of the operational area of ​​the Lisbon Metropolitan Command (Cometlis) of the PSP, explained that the security guidelines for New Year's Eve are part of the ongoing operation “Parties in Safety”.

According to the official, there will be preventive visibility policing in order to “ensure that all celebration sites are safe and that everything occurs smoothly and without incident”.

Without revealing the number of operational personnel deployed, Manuel Gonçalves pointed out that in places where various New Year's Eve parties are planned, some of a public nature, others of a private nature, there will be a “preventive aspect”, taking into account the greater concentration of people.

Manuel Gonçalves listed several parties in the municipalities of Cascais, “where it has already been announced that thousands of people will be there”, Vila Franca de Xira, Amadora, Sintra, Loures or Oeiras.

In Lisbon, the officer explained that the parties in Parque das Nações and Praça do Comércio will also have the support of the Lisbon Municipal Police (PM), and the Special Police Unit will also be activated.

Rui da Costa Fonte, head of the operational area of ​​the Lisbon PM explained, in turn, that traffic will be restricted from 4pm on Tuesday next to Praça do Comércio, advising the use of public transport for all those to move to the area for the festivities.

“That region of the city is very well served by public transport. The metro will operate until 03:00. Carris [will operate] all night and CP – Comboios de Portugal, the same thing”, said the person in charge, pointing to the use of the Cais do Sodré, Rossio and Santa Apolónia stations, “which give access to Praça do Comércio”.

Iuri Rodrigues, commander of the 1st Police Station of the PSP, responsible for the festivities area, said that the space will close at 5pm on the perimeter of the party - the same happening with the Terreiro do Paço metro station -, with six points of entrance to Praça do Comércio.

“As in other years, entry is subject to certain locations, with a summary security search that aims to prevent the entry of objects prohibited by law or considered potentially dangerous, given the large concentration of people,” he said.

Thus, there will be entry points at the intersections of Rua do Arsenal with Rua do Porto Santo, Conceição with Rua Áurea, Augusta, da Prata and dos Fanqueiros, and Rua da Alfândega with Rua dos Armeiros.

According to the official, “there will be no entry via Ribeira das Naus, nor Infante Dom Henrique, which will be for emergency routes”.

Manuel Gonçalves also appealed to people, “wherever they are, to adopt responsible behaviour and respect for others”, remembering that, in addition to the preventive part, the PSP will have “special attention” to areas with large crowds of people. The authorities will also carry out road inspections.

“It's a day of celebration, people are happy and effusive, but it is necessary to behave in a way that respects the freedom of others to avoid moments of tension. You have to arrive early. At 9:30 pm there is a show, then at midnight, about 10 minutes of fireworks, and then another show”, said Iuri Rodrigues, appealing to people not to arrive at the last minute for the fireworks, as they rush risk of not entering the premises again.