Wearing of masks outside now compulsory until mid-June

Parliament has approved the PSD bill that renews for another 70 days the requirement to wear masks in public, a measure that has been in force in Portugal since October 28 and would end on April 05.

The measure initially lasted until January, when it was extended for a further three months.

The bill approved on Wednesday extends, without changes, the validity of the current law, which imposes the mandatory use of mask in public spaces and provides for fines of between 100 and 500 euros for non-compliance.

The diploma determines that it is compulsory to wear a mask (which cannot be replaced by a visor) for people over ten years of age to access, circulate or remain in public spaces and public roads “whenever the physical distance recommended by health authorities is impractical”.

This obligation may be waived “in relation to persons who are part of the same household, when they are not in the proximity of third parties” or upon presentation of a medical certificate of multipurpose incapacity or medical declaration stating that the medical condition or cognitive impairment does not allow the use of masks.

The use of masks is also not compulsory when “incompatible with the nature of the activities that people are performing.”

The supervision “is the responsibility of the security forces and municipal police” and non-compliance with the use of masks constitutes an offence, punishable by a fine of between 100 and 500 euros.