“At this stage, the Government opts for a less intense list of restrictions, suspensions and closures than that which was in force, without prejudice to the gradual lifting of restrictions and the need to maintain scrupulous compliance by the Portuguese population with the measures of physical distance indispensable to contain the infection ”, is mentioned in the communiqué of the Council of Ministers.
This is the timetable for the second phase of lifting the containment measures:
+++ From May 18th +++
- Trade:
Opening of stores (retail and service establishments) with open doors to the street up to 400 m2 or parts of stores up to 400 m2 (or larger by decision of the local authority).
- Restaurants:
Opening of restaurants, cafes and pastry shops, with a 50% capacity.
Opening of terraces.
- Fairs and markets:
They may reopen, but there must be a contingency plan.
- Camping and caravan sites and motorhome service areas:
They can reopen with a maximum capacity of two thirds.
The “Clean & Safe” label also covers these spaces, awarded by Turismo de Portugal.
- Schools:
Return to schools for students of 11th and 12th years or 2nd and 3rd, with classes between 10:00 and 17:00.
Students aged 10 and over are required to wear a mask.
- Nurseries:
Opening of daycare centers with the option of maintaining support for the family if the parents decide to stay at home.
- Culture:
Opening of museums, monuments and palaces, in accordance with the rules and instructions defined by the Directorate-General for Health (DGS), namely the mandatory use of a mask, a minimum distance of two meters, hand and space hygiene.
- Nursing Homes:
One person visits per user are allowed, once a week (maximum 90 minutes) by appointment.
During visits, physical distance, use of a mask and hygiene rules must be maintained.
Visits to continuing care units integrated in the National Network of Integrated Continuing Care and other responses dedicated to the elderly, as well as to children, young people and people with disabilities, are also authorized, provided the rules defined by the DGS are observed.
- Jobs
Adoption of worker turnover schedules, daily or weekly, with different entry and exit times, in cases where teleworking is not possible.
- Public transport:
The rules already defined for buses with a driver's cabin and disinfectant gel dispensers are maintained, with a maximum capacity of 2/3 and mandatory use of a mask. Fines will be imposed for lack of use of masks.
The use of a mask by minors in public transport only applies to children aged 10 years and over.
- Public services:
Citizen stores remain closed, but can accept appointments for face-to-face service to be held after June 1.
- Recreational boating:
Resuming the teaching of recreational boating and conducting surveys and certification of ships and vessels.
- Driving schools and inspection centers:
Inspection centers may reopen.
Driving schools and training centers licensed by the Institute of Mobility and Transport may reopen, but will have to comply with the health rules defined in conjunction with the DGS, including the mandatory use of a mask, the distance and hygiene rules.
As of May 25, practical examinations of driving and certification of professionals can be carried out again, but it will be mandatory, among other rules, the use of a mask by all occupants of the vehicle (the candidate driver, the examiner and the instructor) rear) and cleaning the passenger compartment and all vehicle controls before and after each session or examination test.
+++ From May 30 +++
- Religious celebrations
Community celebrations are authorized according to rules defined between the DGS and religious denominations.
+++ From June 1st +++
- Public services:
Opening of Citizen Stores.
- Trade:
Opening of stores with an area greater than 400 m2 and / or inserted in shopping centres.
- Schools:
Opening of daycare centres (after the period started on May 18, when there was the option of maintaining support for the family if the parents decided to stay at home).
Opening of pre-school education.
Opening of Leisure Activities (ATL).
- Culture:
Opening of cinemas, theaters, concert halls and auditoriums
+++ Opening of the bathing season from 06 June +++
- Use of the beach:
Physical distance of 1.5 meters between bathers (who are not part of the same group).
Three meters spacing between parasols.
Prohibited sports activities with two or more people (except nautical activities, surf lessons and similar sports).
- Awnings and tents:
As a rule, each person or group can only rent in the morning (until 13:00) or in the afternoon (from 14:00).
Maximum of five people per awning, thatch or tent.
Three meters spacing between awnings and stems.
1.5 meters spacing between the limits of the tents.
- Occupation status:
Announced through traffic light - green (low occupancy, 1/3); yellow (high occupancy, 2/3); red (full occupancy, 3/3).
Beach occupation information updated continuously, in real time, namely in the ‘Info beach’ application and on the ‘website’ of the Portuguese Environment Agency.
Parking is prohibited outside parks and orderly parking areas.
- Movement rules:
Single way of circulation, with physical distance of 1.5 meters.
Circulation corridors, parallel or perpendicular to the coastline can be defined.
- Bars, restaurants and terraces:
At least four daily cleanings must be carried out.
Capacity limitation to 50% occupancy.
Possible reorganization of the terraces to ensure safety distance.
- Street vending:
Mandatory use of mask and visor by the seller in contact with bathers.
The circulation of street vendors should be done with physical distance and, preferably, through the circulation corridors.
- Equipment:
Outdoor showers, sunbeds, mattresses or beach ashtrays must be cleaned daily or whenever the user changes.
- General duties of bathers:
Avoid access to areas with high or full occupancy.
Proceed with regular disinfection of the hands and mandatorily on arrival at the beach.
Ensure the physical safety distance when using the beach and when swimming.
- Possibility of banning the beach, for reasons of public health protection, in the event of serious non-compliance with the rules by the concessionaires or bathers.
- Beach first aid posts should have thermometers, personal protective equipment and an area for isolation of suspected cases of covid-19.
Two things not clear, to us anyway. 1. When will the local village health centers re-open? 2. My 72 yr. old husband's driving permit expires in July. Do the renewal facilities require an appointment, Santerem in our case? Public government buildings do not seem to be mentioned here.
By Janice Stephens from Other on 17 May 2020, 12:37
This is a great site full of useful information which is not available in English elsewhere. Thank you
By Peter Chancellor from Algarve on 17 May 2020, 13:19
What about tattoo shops?? People don't seem to realise that tattoo shops are cleaner and safer than any of the listed businesses yet we are still not allowed to open?! ... All precedures listed for a 'Covid-19 safe environment' is done daily in a tattoo shop even before the pandemic. Obviously the authorities have never been to a proper tattoo shop and don't realise the high standards of hygiene and safety that we follow, both to protect ourselves and the client.
By Giada from Algarve on 17 May 2020, 18:13
I am currently in Peru where are the borders are still closed. I am an American citizen. I had planned on traveling to Portugal from Peru when the borders were closed. Has the government indicated when the borders will be open for non-residents?
By Mark K Williams from Other on 17 May 2020, 19:05
In response to Janice I'm not sure on the situation in Santerem regarding driving licenses but here on the Algarve renewing a driving licence can be done at certain driving schools.
By Dave from Algarve on 18 May 2020, 17:24
Wanneer gaat Faro airport weer open voor Schengen-vluchten?
By Lilly from Other on 18 May 2020, 17:43
My husband and I are regular travelers to Portugal and had to suspend our holidays in August-September 2020. Would be nice to know how soon foreigners are able to come to your beautiful country again? Also we're still awaiting news of gift vouchers/refund from TapAir?
By JoAnn Johansson from Other on 19 May 2020, 08:10
when will Portugal be open to travel from USA?
By Jean lockett from USA on 21 May 2020, 14:29
When will borders open for American travel to Portugal?
By STACEY CONNELLY from USA on 23 May 2020, 15:26
My husband is very poorly android son resides in Portugal and needs to get home to see his dad before it is to late can he fly to Manchester or Liverpool and stay with us
By Margaret connell from UK on 21 Jun 2020, 12:11
Hi. Does anyone know if clubs and discos are open yet, and what the rules are?
By Deborah McGee from Algarve on 26 Jun 2020, 11:26