Lisbon lockdown rules relaxed to match rest of country
As of Monday, the general rules that have been in force in the rest of the country since the beginning of the month, provided for in the third phase of lockdown easing will apply.
The special limitations imposed in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area (AML) under the third phase of lockdown easing due to the Covid-19 pandemic have now been lifted, allowing shopping centres to open and groups of up to 20 people are now permitted.
The restrictions had been imposed at the beginning of the month due to the number of outbreaks of Covid-19 in the region and were mainly related to activities with large crowds of people.
As of Monday, therefore, the general rules that have been in force in the rest of the country since the beginning of the month, provided for in the third phase of lockdown easing will apply.
Also in AML, groups of up to 20 people are now permitted (up to now the limit was 10 people) and establishments with an area of more than 400 m2 or in shopping centres, as well as the respective food courts, and the Lojas do Cidadão (Citizens’ Shops) can be reopened.
Each Loja do Cidadão has counters staffed by public and private companies, enabling members of the public to get various types of paperwork done in one place.
Water parks, language schools and tutoring centres are also permitted.
However, there is still the rule that establishments which have resumed or are resuming their activity may only open from 10 a.m., but gymnasiums and fitness centres are excluded from this regime.
In addition, the rule that private vehicles with a capacity of more than five seats must be restricted to two-thirds of the occupants is extended to the whole territory, unless all occupants are from the same household.
In the communiqué of the cabinet meeting in which it was decided to lift the restrictions on the AML, last week, it was also stated that the activities and spaces that remain closed can open when they have specific guidelines from the Directorate-General of Health concerning their operation.
The third phase of the lockdown easing on the Portuguese mainland due to the Covid-19 pandemic started on 1 June with the end of the order to stay at home and the reopening of shopping centres, concert halls, cinemas, gyms, swimming pools and Lojas do Cidadão.
The AML covers the municipalities of Alcochete, Almada, Amadora, Barreiro, Cascais, Lisbon, Loures, Mafra, Moita, Montijo, Odivelas, Oeiras, Palmela, Seixal, Sesimbra, Setúbal, Sintra and Vila Franca de Xira.
