NEWS Local News

Covid regulations: what changes on October 1st?

With 85% of the population in Portugal vaccinated, the Government have decided to move the country into the new phase of deconfinement on October 1st, with further easing of restrictions. So what will change? The plan drawn up by the Government is as follows: - Restaurants and stores no longer have limitations on the number of customers. Commercial establishments, restaurants, cafes and the generality of commerce no longer have a maximum limit of customers or people per group. The end of this occupancy restriction also applies to family events such as weddings and baptisms. - Shows with 100% capacity and certificate needed for large events. Cultural shows will no longer have capacity limitations from October 1st, but a digital certificate will be required for large cultural events, and the General Directorate of Health (DGS) is responsible for defining of what these events are. The use of a mask in shows will be mandatory whenever there is no distance of two metres between people. - Bars and clubs reopen (still to be confirmed). Night-time entertainment venues, closed since March 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, may reopen as of October 1st. On July 29th, the Government announced that night entertainment spaces could reopen in full in October, when authorities predicted that 85% of the population would be fully vaccinated against covid-19. - Mandatory mask only in risky places or large concentrations. From October 1st, mandatory mask use is limited to public transport, supermarkets, homes and hospitals, concert halls and large events. This decision is based on criteria for places with a high frequency of people, such as public transport, including air, risky places, such as homes and hospitals, and places with large agglomerations for longer periods, such as concert halls. - Digital certificate is no longer required in restaurants, hotels and gyms. Restaurant and hotel customers will no longer have to present a vaccination certificate or negative Covid-19 test. The end of the vaccination certificate or virus screening test also covers group classes in gyms, but will be required in clubs and bars, as well as at major sporting events. The presentation of the document will also be mandatory for travel by sea or air and in visits to homes and health establishments, as hospital visits are resumed. - Finish telework recommendation. The Council of Ministers have also decided to end the recommendation of the option to telework if possible, and to eliminate testing in workplaces with more than 150 workers. In August, a step had already been taken towards reducing the use of telework, with the Government deciding that this only mandatory in higher-risk municipalities, being only ‘recommended’ throughout the continental territory. - End of limitation on the sale of alcohol and timetable. The limitation on the sale and consumption of alcohol ends and the time limits that had been imposed due to the pandemic also end.

Refurbishment of Olhão to Vila Real de Santo António EN 125 section awaits court decision

The president of Infrastructures of Portugal (IP) has announced that the redevelopment works on Estrada Nacional (EN) 125 between Olhão and Vila Real de Santo António, “are subject to a decision” by the arbitral tribunal. During a hearing at the parliamentary committee on Economy, Innovation, Public Works and Housing, António Laranjo said that the works, over a 45-kilometre extension, can only proceed after “there is a decision by the arbitration court on the process brought by the sub-concessionaire” Rotas do Algarve Coastline (RAL). “It is a process filed by the sub-concessionaire RAL with a claim for compensation amounting to 445 million euros, in addition to another process brought by the financing banks in the amount of 43 million euros”, explained the president of IP. In 2019, RAL communicated its intention to terminate the contract of that road sub-concession to IP, considering that the contract was unfeasible after the refusal of approval by the Court of Auditors (TdC) to the amendments made in 2017 to the document, signed in 2010. “Until there is a decision by the arbitral court, IP cannot intervene to the full extent that it was intended, to withdraw from the road sub-concession contract”, stressed the official. At the hearing, held at the Assembly of the Republic at the request of the PSD parliamentary group, António Laranjo added that, although the works to refurbish the road section between Olhão and Vila Real de Santo António “are subject to judicial restrictions”, the maintenance of the road is ensured by RAL. “The court sentenced IP to an upfront payment of 30 million euros and the obligation to maintain another monthly payment of 1.2 million euros until the final decision, so that RAL can ensure the maintenance and operation of the entire route from Vila do Bispo to Vila Real de Santo António”, he said. António Laranjo said he is “optimistic” waiting for the arbitration court to issue a decision on the process soon, as IP “has everything prepared to proceed with the tenders for the requalification of the road section on the eastern Algarve coast”. “IP is not going ahead with the tenders, because we don’t know what the court’s decision will be”, he argued. However, the deputies defended that there is “no legal obstacle” for the requalification work of the section of the EN125 not to proceed, if IP were to comply with the various draft resolutions presented by parliamentary groups and approved in parliament.