“The epidemiological situation caused by the Covid-19 disease pandemic has seen a positive evolution in Portugal. The number of new daily cases of the disease, as well as the number of citizens hospitalised, including those in intensive care, has also been reduced, largely thanks to the protection afforded by the high vaccination rate that is seen in our country”, reads the document.

However, the decree-law recalls that “the number of deaths recorded per million inhabitants is still at a very high value, so the lifting of measures applicable in the context of the pandemic must proceed with caution and in stages”.

Resolution No. 25-A/2022 of the Council of Ministers was also published, declaring the alert situation in the context of the pandemic.

On Friday, the President of the Republic enacted the decree-law that establishes the relief of measures to contain Covid-19 in Portugal, approved by the Council of Ministers on Thursday.

In a note published on the official website of the Presidency of the Republic on the Internet, it is read that the head of state, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, "enacted the Government diploma amending measures applicable in the context of the Covid-19 disease pandemic".

New rules

With the new legislation, "the confinement of risky contacts; the recommendation of teleworking; the limits of capacity in establishments, equipment and other places open to the public; the requirement to present a digital certificate, except for border control; the requirement for a negative test result for access to major events, sports venues, bars and clubs" will be terminated.

On the other hand, "the requirement of a negative test remains, except for holders of a certificate of recovery or a certificate of complete vaccination with a booster dose, for: visits to homes, visits to patients hospitalised in health care establishments ", as well as the "use of a mask in interior spaces where it is currently required", according to the statement from the Council of Ministers, will remain in force.