Since March and the start of the coronavirus epidemic, bars and nightclubs in Portugal have been closed. However, they should be able to reopen very soon: this is what the Publico newspaper reports. The rules applied will be the same as those applied to tea rooms: closing at 8 p.m. and of course no dance floor. The night sector will have to adapt. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you all about the reopening of bars and nightclubs in Portugal.
Madeira imposes mandatory masks even outdoors despite no deaths since the start of the pandemic
Madeira is the first Portuguese region to make it compulsory to wear a mask, even outdoors and even when safety distances can be respected. From next Saturday, August 1st, it will be compulsory to wear a mask in all public spaces of Madeira and even in the streets. The decision of the regional government of Madeira was announced this afternoon and is part of a package of new measures that will be implemented in the archipelago in order to fight against the covid-19 pandemic, which has yet no deaths from the start. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you all about the mandatory mask wearing even outdoors and with social distancing in Madeira.
15-day extension of the state of calamity for 19 municipalities in Greater Lisbon, Portugal still at 3 different levels
As of July 1st, 19 municipalities in the Lisbon region are affected by the state of calamity which imposes stricter rules than in the whole country. The Portuguese government decided on Monday to extend the state of calamity by 15 days in all 19 parishes, and the rest of the Lisbon metropolitan area remains under contingency. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you all about extending the state of calamity for 19 municipalities in Greater Lisbon and Portugal, still at 3 different levels.
Portugal out of British "tourist" corridor, Spain in
Boris Johnson has announced today the list of the countries that will be exempted a quarantine starting from 10th July. This list includes France, Italy and Spain, but excludes mainland Portugal. Madeira and AΓ§ores are in the βsafeβ list and will not have mandatory quarantine. This is a very bad news for Portuguese tourism and especially in the Algarve, where a lot of British tourists come every summer. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you everything about the Portugal out from the tourist corridor, and Spain in.
Border between Portugal and Spain reopened after 3 and a half months of closure
It had been since March 17th that the land border between Portugal and Spain was closed due to the coronavirus epidemic. After three and a half months, the two neighboring countries have decided to reopen their border this Wednesday, July 1st. And to mark the occasion, the 2 heads of state as well as the 2 heads of government will be present for a ceremony. It is now possible to move freely between the two countries. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you all about the reopening of the border between Portugal and Spain this Wednesday, July 1st.
New lockdown in 19 parishes of Lisbon area
It is a complete change of strategy for the Portuguese capital. After the announcement in recent days of a tightening of the deconfinement rules, it is finally a comeback to lockdown which is confirmed for Lisbon. Only outings to work and shopping will be allowed, according to the Observador newspaper. 19 municipalities in the Lisbon region are affected. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you all about the return of lockdown in the Lisbon region.
Mini-lockdown: check out the new rules for the Lisbon metropolitan area
Recent Portuguese figures for the coronavirus epidemic are not good, especially in the Lisbon area. Prime Minister Antonio Costa announced on Tuesday new measures that will only be in place in the Lisbon metropolitan area, AML, and will remain until the spread figures for covid-19 improve. Over the past few days, Portugal is the 2nd European country with the highest ratio of new cases and Lisbon has been forced to tighten the rules. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you all about the new Lisbon mini-lockdown rules.
Portugal is the second European country with the most cases of coronavirus per 100,000 inhabitants
Recent figures from Portugal regarding the coronavirus epidemic are not good. This is what emerges from a study that compares all European countries and Portugal is the 2nd worst country in terms of cases of coronavirus per 100,000 inhabitants. Only Sweden is worse than Portugal. A total of 6 European countries are currently closing their borders to Portuguese nationals, based in particular on this data. Portugal defends itself by showing that it tests a lot more and therefore finds more cases. Expatriate assistant Lisbob tells you all about the recent bad figures for the coronavirus epidemic in Portugal.
Uber call center in Lisbon fires 42% of its employees by videoconference
The Uber call center, the famous platform of private drivers and home delivery, is known to expatriates living in Lisbon. In the space of a few years it had indeed become one of the largest employers of expatriates in the Lisbon capital. Unfortunately, the covid-19 crisis had a strong impact on Uber and after a first wave of layoffs abroad, 42% of employees in central Lisbon learned of their layoffs by videoconference. 160 new talents on the job market. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you all about the dismissal of 160 Uber Lisbon employees by videoconference.
Portugal (except Lisbon) enters phase 3 of deconfinement: find out what is changing
Portugal is continuing its deconfinement plan thanks to the positive development of the coronavirus epidemic. Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa has announced that the whole country is in phase 3 deconfinement, except the metropolitan area of ββLisbon which is experiencing an increase in the number of confirmed cases. With this new phase, many things change and new activities are allowed. Shops, restaurants, swimming, gymnasium, the changes are many. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you all about what's new in the third phase of the deconfinement plan in Portugal.
Check out the maximum capacity of each beach of Portugal
As part of its fight against the coronavirus epidemic, Portugal has decided to set up a limited number of people who can be on each beach at the same time. If some Portuguese beaches are very large and can accommodate thousands of people, others are smaller and more strongly implanted by the tides and have their capacity limited to less than 20. The Portugal Environment Agency (APA) comes to disclose the maximum capacity for each range. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you what will change on the Portuguese beaches is summer.
Portuguese beaches will have traffic lights at the entrance and an area of ββ10 square meters per person
It is not an April Fool: traffic lights will be installed at the entrance to Portuguese beaches to indicate the capacity to receive more bathers or not. PAN party deputy AndrΓ© Silva revealed this after leaving the meeting with Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa. It was also decided to allocate an area of ββ10 square meters per person. This solution aims to compensate for the lack of human resources in order to count the number of people on the beaches. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you what will change on the Portuguese beaches is summer.
Borders between Portugal and Spain will remain closed until June 15th
The coronavirus epidemic has led to the closure of certain borders within the European Union. The land border between Portugal and Spain has been closed since the establishment of the state of emergency on March 16th, and the passage on either side is reserved for residents or cross-border workers. The Portuguese Council of Ministers announced last night that the land borders between Portugal and Spain will remain closed until June 15th. However, this date is not final and may be revised depending on the evolution of the coronavirus epidemic. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you all about closing the borders between Portugal and Spain.
Ryanair to resume 40% of flights on July 1st
The coronavirus outbreak has strongly impacted the international air traffic sector with an unprecedented decrease in international flights. However, the hardest part seems to have passed and some companies decide to go ahead and announce a gradual resumption of activities. Ryanair has just announced that it will resume 40% of its flights on July 1st. What to hope for the many travelers and expatriates to be able to take the plane this summer. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you all about resuming Ryanair flights.
Opening June 1, 6 people per umbrella, 2 meters apart: this is what Portuguese beaches might look like this summer
Portugal ended the state of emergency to move to that of calamity, opening the door to a gradual resumption of authorized activities and places. Among those who are eagerly awaited, the Portuguese beaches are at the top of the list and it is quite normal as the Portuguese beaches are magnificent. The coronavirus epidemic requires a new adaptation and new rules to protect everyone while enjoying the beaches. The DGS has already recommended a distance of 2 meters between each person and swimmer. Even if the final decisions should be known by the weekend, some sources indicate that the Portuguese government would lean for a maximum of 6 people per umbrella, the installation of turnstiles at the entrance to the beaches and a limitation of gatherings to 10 people. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you what will change on the Portuguese beaches is summer.
Deconfinement: what changes from this Monday in Portugal
After 45 days of confinement Portugal will gradually come back to life. Indeed, the Portuguese government announced the end of the state of emergency to enter that of calamity. This Monday, the long awaited deconfinement can finally start and Portugal opens its economy again, little by little. This is the first phase of the Portuguese deconfinement plan, but it is not yet a return to normal as there will be restrictions and new rules to protect the population against the epidemic of coronavirus. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you what changes from Monday, May 4 in Portugal.
International flights: Portugal imposes a limitation of 2/3 of passengers
The coronavirus epidemic continues in Portugal and the 1,000 death mark has been surpassed. Nevertheless, Portugal ended the state of emergency to pass to the state of calamity, allowing the partial resumption of the activity. Among the sectors that are still impacted, that of international air traffic, which does not really know when and how it will be able to get out of this crisis. In order to protect passengers but still ensure economic viability, Portugal has decided to impose a 2/3 occupancy limit for international flights. This will generate additional costs for passengers and a logistical and financial challenge for airlines. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you all about limiting the. number of passengers on international flights to Portugal.
Dates, phases and calendar of the deconfinement plan in Portugal
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.
138 people infected with coronavirus in a youth hostel in Lisbon
The coronavirus epidemic is not sparing the Portuguese capital, and it is a major source of contamination which has just been discovered. Indeed, the Aykibom Hostel, located on Morais Soares street in Lisbon, has just been evacuated after 138 people were diagnosed as infected with coronavirus. The 170 occupants of the youth hostel were evacuated and the operation required the intervention of more than 100 police, translators and medical personnel. All the occupants of the hostel are refugees, who have been evacuated to the Lisbon Mosque for treatment. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you all about these coronavirus outbreaks in Lisbon.
Portugal recorded excess mortality in March, but not due to coronavirus
The Portuguese Directorate General for Health (DGS) has launched an investigation into the excess mortality recorded in March of this year in Portugal. Indeed, the figures speak for themselves and the excess mortality (number of deaths above an average in recent years) was particularly pronounced in March compared to certain years. At first glance it could be a simple consequence of the coronavirus epidemic, but it is not. In addition, this excess mortality also affects the elderly. This could explain the relatively low mortality rate (2%) of the coronavirus in Portugal compared to other countries, but does not explain this excess mortality. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you all about this investigation launched by the DGS in order to identify the causes of this peak in mortality.