Portugal makes wearing masks mandatory on the streets

The Portuguese Parliament approved on Friday the mandatory wearing of masks in public spaces for at least three months, “whenever the physical distance recommended by the health authorities proves impossible”. The measure will be in force for three months and may be renewed.

It applies to those over ten years of age, but there may be exceptions, for example, “in relation to persons who are in the same household and/or when they are not in the proximity of other people”. It is also not mandatory to wear a mask when this “is incompatible with the activities that people are performing”.

The supervision “is the responsibility of the security forces and municipal police” and failure to wear a mask constitutes an administrative offence, punished with a fine of between 100 and 500 euros.

At first, it was planned to be applied for 90 days, but the Portuguese government presented a proposal to change it to 70 days, which was approved. The measure comes into force the day after its publication.