Portuguese government is prepared to reopen the economy and end the lockdown, with the peak of the coronavirus pandemic now behind. The program will consist of three distinct phases, which can of course evolve according to certain public health criteria. After several weeks of state of emergency, which has forced the closure of most economic activities, Portugal will begin to reopen sector by sector. The return to normal plan is gradual and includes specific dates: May 4th, May 18th and June 1st. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, gives you the dates and the official calendar for the deconfinement plan in Portugal.
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Dates, phases and calendar of the deconfinement plan in Portugal
Phase 1: May 4th
May 4 will be the first date on the country's reopening calendar. There will no longer be a state of emergency, but Portugal should move to that of "calamity", allowing traffic restrictions to be maintained for people - the duty of containment will still be in place.
In this first phase of deconfinement, it will be possible to reopen certain stores which were forced to close with the state of emergency, promulgated for the first time on March 19 by the President of the Portuguese Republic.
Thus, the following businesses will be able to open their doors, with the obligation for customers to wear a mask and to respect social distancing :
• Small business, namely stores up to 200 square meters;
• Hairdressers and beauticians, as well as hair salons;
• Bookstores;
• Car dealers;
• Individual sports activities authorized;
• Portuguese universities can reopen if they wish, but this will not be compulsory. Lisbon, Porto and Coimbra will continue to organize distance learning courses.
Phase 2: May 18th
The Portuguese government has said it will monitor the effects on public health every two weeks. Thus, and if the contagions of Covid-19 do not register a second wave, two weeks later, on May 18, other businesses including restaurants can be opened, while of course respecting the rules of social distancing.
This will be phase 2 of Portuguese deconfinement. Here are the shops and places that will open for the second phase:
• Shops up to 400 square meters (some exceptions will be granted);
• Cafes, pastries and restaurants: with a capacity reduced by 50%;
• Certain cultural spaces and shows, as well as museums, with a capacity limitation;
• Face-to-face lessons for students in grades 11 and 12;
• Nurseries. The Portuguese government will continue to support parents who decide to stay at home with their children. This aid will continue until the end of May.
Phase 3: June 1st
Finally, as the pandemic evolves in a controlled manner, more commercial spaces will be able to reopen, namely supermarkets.
Thus, in the third and last phase of this reopening, on June 1, the doors should open to:
• Commercial spaces of more than 400 square meters, including shopping centers;
• Schools at the pre-escolar level;
• Polytechnic institutes but with restrictions, such as the division of classes and staggered schedules.
• Football championships may resume but without spectators in the stadiums;
• Access to beaches, with restrictions.
In addition to these three phases, many sectors still do not know when they can resume their activity. The Portuguese government has not yet decided and may decide to include them in one of the three projects or even to postpone them later.
This is the case for example of:
• Music festivals and major mass events, currently prohibited until the beginning of September;
• Gyms;
• Bars, clubs and other night establishments;
• Religious celebrations.
