Portugal He takes, this Sunday, the first of three steps towards “Freedom Day”. On August 1, the new rules set by the government in the Cabinet this Thursday came into effect.
Based on expert advice heard on Tuesday at the Infarmed meeting and the positive development of vaccination, the Executive has decided to ease restrictions imposed to maintain the containment of SARS-CoV-2 in the country.
On the other hand, the The government has confirmed the strength of the so-called Covid digital certificateThe European document proving complete vaccination against Covid-19, recovery from disease or the presence of a PCR test within 72 hours.
“We will try to control the epidemic and ensure the resumption of activity, The Prime Minister said before explaining the three stages planned for the new dismantling process that begins on Sunday, gradually, following the pace of the full vaccination of the population.
Antonio Costa explained that health authorities “will begin to lead Epidemic management as a function of vaccination rate Of the population”.
“We expect that by August 1, 57% of the population will be fully vaccinated [com duas doses, no caso das vacinas que disso necessitam], that we will reach 71% of full vaccination at the beginning of September, and that in October, we will reach 85% of the population with full vaccination,” detailed Antonio Costa, immediately revealing the dates for the development of the three phases.
The first stage: the first of August
“Different measures will not be applied depending on the situation in each municipalityThe Prime Minister explained that the measures will have a national dimension, “justifying the expansion with the regional homogeneity of the vaccination rate and the delta variable of the virus that also prevails throughout the territory, but also because the holiday period generates significant interference – mobility between municipalities and between regions.
them too Eliminates “time constraints” So that the trade, restaurants and shows Schedules resume until 2:00 AM“.
was determined toExtensive use of digital certification or negative tests instead“, a mandatory requirement” for travel by air or by sea, access to tourist establishments or local accommodations, within or such restaurants on weekends and public holidays, group classes in gyms, attendance at spas or spas, casinos, cultural or sporting events or commercial activities with more than a thousand people, in an open environment, or 500 people, indoors, as well as weddings, christenings and other ceremonies of more than 10 people”, details government statement.
Bars respect the same rules as restaurants, only allow indoor and outdoor seating, and can also open under the same conditions.
As of August 1, there are no longer any time restrictions on street traffic, they are Public sporting events are allowed (As per DGS rules) Maximum capacity in cultural performances is limited to 66%, sports at 33% and capacity for weddings and christenings at 50%.
Recreational equipment can resume activity (following the rules of the DGS) in places authorized by municipalities and Remote work will move from mandatory to recommended. Recreational establishments with a dance floor, such as discos, are still closed, folk parties and pilgrimages, which generate large crowds, are not allowed.
On the eve of the start of this first stage, Sporting won the Super Cup (2-1) against Sporting de Braga, in Aveiro, and its audience was already 33% in the stadium, in a duly authorized advance.
The second stage: September
the beginning Depends on the development of full vaccination It has already reached 70% of the population and will include ending the obligation to wear masks on public roads, excluding gatherings
In this second of three steps for Freedom Day, the capacity for weddings, baptisms and cultural performances is also scheduled to be increased to 75%, End of public transport capacity limits And the need for advance reservations in public services.
Third stage: October
planning for When 85% of the population has been vaccinated Residents of Portugal, will be allowed to Reopening of bars and clubsEntry with a digital certificate or a negative test.
It will also include The end of determining the number of people per group in restaurants And limited capacity in all places.
France returns to the mask
The worsening of Covid-19 in parts of Europe has led to a setback in some measures to control the epidemic.
Such is the case in the Gironde region, in southwest France, which includes Bordeaux, where cases rose from 40 infections per 100,000 inhabitants two weeks ago to 314/100 thousand on Thursday.
The use of masks is no longer mandatory on public roads in France, but in the Gironde, in the most touristy areas and most prone to large crowds, face protection is now being imposed again, as is the consumption of alcohol on public roads.
The government of Jean-Castix has been promoting vaccination as the fastest way to liberalize the economy and, therefore, has begun to require a Covid digital certificate, or health card as they call it, to enter all commercial, sporting or entertainment venues, such as cinemas and concert halls, where the use of masks is essential. Also.
The certificate is added to the mobile application “TousAntiCovid” or can be printed on paper and presented at the entrance to the institutions.
UK shuts down France
Not from the UK A beta variant is still a concern It even pushed for a quarantine, effective Monday, 2 August, for anyone entering the territory from France.
British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab explained the executive branch’s motives with Several cases of the South African variant on Reunion IslandIt is a French overseas territory more than six thousand kilometers from France.
The decision surprised the government of the only country in the European Union with such a restriction on entry into British territory, mainly because The dynasty that justifies it, Delta, represents only Less than 5% of cases diagnosed in Gaul With train connections to London.
Otherwise, for the second day, Infection has worsened in the UK. Of the nearly 28,000 on Wednesday, another 31,000 were diagnosed within 24 hours and announced this Thursday, with fewer people getting tested.
Some media reports that there is greater resistance from the British people to the test in order to maintain the freedom to go on vacation.
Austria restricts three partners
Austria also revised restrictions on access to the country and significantly increased the list of countries with travel permits without health restrictions.
From Tuesday 3 August only Those traveling from Spain, Cyprus or the Netherlands, among the Austrian partners in the European Union, You will have to provide the proof yourself Complete vaccination against the virus, recovery from illness for at least 90 days, or a valid PCR test.
If you do not have one of the 3G networks, such as The Austrian authorities set the three criteriaPassengers must take a PCR test at the arrival airport.
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