The Minister of State and the Presidency, Mariana Vieira da Silva, explained at a press conference after the Council of Ministers meeting, in Lisbon, the set of measures to ease restrictions, following the meeting on Wednesday at Infarmed, in which experts argued that the positive evolution of the epidemiological situation allowed this relief.

Asked by journalists about when these new measures will come into force, Mariana Vieira da Silva said that the new measures should come into force “in the coming days”, after publication in the Diário da República.

Among the main measures, are the end of the isolation after risky contacts, the end of the recommendation for remote work, the end of capacity limits in commercial establishments and the end of negative test requirement for major events, sports venues, bars and nightclubs.

Covid-19 certificate

The digital certificate of vaccination against covid-19 will no longer be a requirement in the majority of situations, such as access to restaurants and hotels. However, it remains mandatory at border control.

Access to shops, sport venues and nightclubs

Entry into bars and nightclubs no longer requires presenting a negative test for covid-19, as well as commercial spaces are no longer limited to the number of customers inside. In addition, access to sports facilities and major events will also be possible without a negative test.

Nursing homes

Although the presentation of a negative test for SARS-CoV-2 is no longer mandatory for several situations, it remains mandatory for visits to nursing homes and health facilities.

Remote Work

Working from home is no longer recommended, and people can go back to offices as they used to. Since 14 January it has not been mandatory to work from home.

High-risk contacts will no longer be in isolation

With the new measures, only people who test positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus will need to isolate. “There is no longer the requirement of isolation for risky contacts,” said the minister, at the press conference.

Face Masks

The mandatory use of mask in interior spaces will remain.