Portugal applies new sanitary restrictions since this Wednesday, after the entry into force of a state of calamity that, as recognized by Prime Minister António Costa, could give way to more forceful measures in the face of Christmas if it is considered "necessary" to contain the rebound in the COVID-19 pandemic. This Thursday, the worst contagion data has been registered since February.
Since last midnight, the mask has become mandatory in all closed spaces and the COVID certificate will be required to access certain places such as restaurants or gyms. Controls at the land border also return, where the certificate will be required, while those arriving by air must present a negative test.
The state of calamity - one notch below that of emergency - reflects the concern of the authorities about the increase in the incidence, despite the fact that Portugal is the EU country with the highest vaccination rate against COVID-19. The irruption of the omicron variant and the imminent parties have raised concern about what may happen in the coming weeks.
The Government has already announced that in the first week of 2022 teleworking will be mandatory when possible and nightlife will remain closed, but Costa has advocated this Wednesday for being "always attentive", according to the Portuguese newspaper 'Publico'. In this regard, the prime minister has said: "If necessary, we will be here to take further action."
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Costa, who has defended the suspension of air connections with southern Africa, has warned that the first indications point to the omicron variant being more transmissible, despite the fact that its symptoms would not be "very different" from others. known and, therefore, should not be more harmful to health.
MORE THAN 4,600 CASES IN ONE DAY
Portugal has registered more than 1.1 million cases since the beginning of the pandemic, while the number of deaths exceeds 18,400. The rebound in infections has already led the country to data that it had not registered since the beginning of February, since the General Directorate of Health (DGS) has notified 4,670 new positives this Thursday.
The hospital balance also worsens, with 841 admitted patients, 116 of them in intensive care units.
