New Year: Portugal begins the year between restrictions and record of infections

Portugal It entered this Saturday in 2022, still in a “state of calamity”, after a year-end without big parties and with the restrictions imposed for days to try to stop the high numbers of infections of coronavirus COVID-19, part of the fifth wave of infections in the country.

The New Year’s Eve celebrations were reduced, since the measures imposed for these days by the Government required tests with a negative result to enter the restaurant -without counting terraces- and the closure of nightlife, as well as the prohibition of alcohol consumption in the public road and meetings of more than 10 people in the street.

Yes, parties were allowed in spaces such as casinos or hotels, although also under the presentation of a test with a negative result.

In addition, there were many municipalities, such as Lisbon and Porto, which canceled their main public celebrations, although other towns, such as Madeira, kept fireworks.

The restrictions on these days are part of the “containment” period announced by the Government, which has led since December 25 to the closure of nightlife, mandatory teleworking and tests in hotels.

From December 25 to January 9 it is mandatory to present a negative test to enter hotels, weddings and baptisms, cultural events and sports venues such as football stadiums, regardless of the capacity.

The test is also mandatory for those vaccinated, and only people who have a digital certificate of recovery are exempt because they have passed the virus in the last 6 months.

Nurseries will also be closed, although hundreds of schools will be open to accommodate the children of essential workers.

Since this week, the country has registered an escalation in the number of covid infections to reach records (this Friday 30,829 new infections were detected and the incidence soared to 1,182.7 cases per 100,000 inhabitants), although the fifth wave is noted for weeks.

However, the numbers of deaths and hospitalizations are well below those registered in previous waves.

This period of “containment” is part of the “state of calamity” (one notch below the state of emergency), which entered into force on December 1 and will last until March 20 to try to stop the advance of the fifth wave and the expansion of the omicron variant.

It involves controls at the border and at airports and the requirement for certificates to access large events, gyms, tourist accommodation and restaurants -except for terraces-.

To enter the nightlife, a test with a negative result is required apart from the certificate.

As the situation develops, the authorities could extend some restrictions – since it was initially planned to maintain them only until the first days of January -, such as border control or further delay the start of the children’s school year, although they have not yet specified how they will proceed. .

RECOMMENDED VIDEO

IT MAY INTEREST YOU