How will Easter be? Can I move between counties? And go abroad? What supermarkets will be open, until what time? Will take-away tradestop? What about religious ceremonies? Does teleworking remain? And after Easter?
The lack of continuity will not stop during the Easter period, but the Government has fine-tuned the "gradual" plan to ensure that this period of festivities is not a time for travel and meetings. Here's what changes until April 5, in eight questions and answers (and one more about what's planned to happen after that date).
CAN I TRAVEL BETWEEN COUNTIES?
No. Prime Minister António Costa underlined the objective of "ensuring that Easter is not a time of travel and meeting, but, on the contrary, another moment of confinement ." In this sense, citizens are prohibited from moving outside the municipality of residence, daily, from midnight on March 25th/March 26th (Thursday/Friday) and until April 5th (Monday).
Exemptions apply
AND TRAVEL ABROAD?
Yes, you can, with one exception. Since last Monday (15th), the ban on travel outside the mainland has been lifted, whether by road, rail, air, river or sea. However, the Government decided to keep the border with Spain closed until April 5th , and that is why Spain is the exception to the rule.
SUPERMARKETS WILL BE OPEN UNTIL WHAT TIME?
The food retail establishments stay open until 19h - both over the Easter weekend and on Good Friday, being a holiday.
WILL TAKE-AWAY TRADE STOP?
No. The changes that took effect last Monday (March 15th) will continue to be in effect, so trading at the door/take-away will be allowed .
AND HAIRDRESSERS AND MANICURISTS?
In the case of establishments that opened last Monday (15th), they can remain open during Easter, by appointment. The same applies to bookstores, libraries, archives, and similar places .
AND RELIGIOUS CEREMONIES?
For the second year in a row, the traditional Easter week will be celebrated with strong limitations by the Portuguese Church: there will be no processions or passing of the cross from house to house , for example. In Fátima, all celebrations will be broadcast online, as only those living in the municipality of Ourém are allowed to visit in person.
SHOULD I STILL WORK AT HOME IF POSSIBLE?
Yes, teleworking remains mandatory whenever possible.
AND AFTER EASTER?
After Easter, the Government's deconfinement plan will continue, but only if the country's epidemiological situation remains at level one. If this happens, the Government foresees the opening of schools for the 2nd and 3rd cycles (and respective ATL), museums, monuments, palaces, art galleries and the like, and stores up to 200 m² with door to the street on April 5th .
Also on April 5th, the terraces of cafe's, bars and restaurants can also open (with a limit of four people per table), and the gyms can open (without group classes). Low-risk sports and outdoor physical activity for up to four people are also no longer prohibited, so golf courses will re-open. Fairs and non-food markets may also open on that day, but this decision depends on each municipality and not the Government.ginal article available in Portuguese at http://postal.pt/
