Portugal is now able to breathe again, as the Prime Minister, António Costa, announces the three phases of the easing of the lockdown. The first phase started this Sunday, August 1st.

After listening to specialists, Portugal’s government has decided to reopen Portugal. Since Sunday, 1st of August, Portugal entries a new plan to ease restrictions gradually.

The main change on evaluating Portugal’s Covid situation is that from now on, the government will take measures with a national dimension and no longer depending on each municipality situation.

Besides that, here’s the full list of what changed:

  •  End of nightly curfew between 1pm and 5am
  • Sporting events are now open to the public, according to the DGS rules
  • Cultural shows now have a capacity of 66%
  • Weddings, baptisms and other similar festivities have a capacity of 50%
  • Entertainment equipment — including bumper cars and popular fairs — can now return to authorized locations in municipalities
  • Remote work is no longer mandatory but recommended
  • Bars to reopen under certain circunstances

The Covid-19 Digital Certificate is still going to be needed to travel, inside restaurants on weekends, in gyms, spas and casinos and in other festivities with a certain number of people participating.

This 1st phase happens because Portugal has 50% of the population vaccinated. The 2nd phase is scheduled for 5 September, when it’s expected that 70% of Portugal’s population is fully vaccinated. As for the 3rd phase, it should only happen in October, whit 85% of the population vaccinated.