New Council of Ministers, new changes in rules. There are not many differences in comparison to what has been in force thus far, but there is enough news to raise doubts. Not everything that was valid this Thursday will be valid on the weekend, as is the case of the “siege” of the Lisbon Metropolitan Area, which was lifted. The calamity situation remains until 25 July and there are already 33 municipalities “in the red zone” of the risk matrix (which already had to be adapted to the increase in cases). Access rules for restaurants and hotels change. Have questions? Answer them here:

Can I enter and exit Lisbon during the weekend?

Yes. The bans on entry and exit from the Lisbon Metropolitan Area (AML) during the weekend are no longer in force as soon as the diploma announced after the Council of Ministers is published in the Diário da República. Minister Mariana Vieira da Silva explained that the decision reflects the spread of the Delta variant throughout the country, which is why the restrictions imposed on the AML “no longer make sense”.

Is there a curfew?

Yes, in municipalities with high or very high risk, the ban on circulation at certain times is maintained. In these 60 municipalities, curfew will continue to be in force between 11 pm and 5 am, every day. You can find out more here.

I live in a high risk municipality, can I go out to dinner on the weekend?

Yes, but there are rules. In high or very high risk municipalities, a negative test or a digital certificate will be required (for a vaccination certificate to be valid you must have the complete vaccination) in order to be able to have meals inside the restaurant. The measure only applies between 7 pm on Friday and 10.30 pm on Sunday.

When does the negative testing obligation come into effect?

In order for services to adapt to this novelty, the obligation to present a test or certificate will only be applied as of 3.30 pm this Saturday.

And if I have lunch on the terrace?

If you choose a terrace, you will not have to present either a certificate or a negative test, as these requirements apply only to the interior of the restaurant. In the case of terraces, only the space capacity rules will apply: in the 33 municipalities at very high risk, the limitation is six people per table on the terrace; in the case of the 27 municipalities at high risk, up to ten people can share a table on the terrace.

If I'm on the terrace, can I go inside the restaurant to go to the WC?

In these cases, the negative test or certificate (but always with a mask) will be dispensed with.

I have a vacation scheduled at a hotel. Will I have to take a test every day?

No, just upon arrival. Regardless of the length of your stay, you will only be asked for the test or digital certificate upon check-in. Attention: the accommodation rules apply to the entire mainland territory and not just to municipalities at high or very high risk.

What tests can I have?

The accepted tests, whether in restaurants or hotels, must comply with specific rules and are subject to validation. Four types of tests can be presented: a PCR test, performed within 72 hours prior to presentation; an antigen test with a laboratory report, performed within 48 hours prior to presentation; a rapid antigen test in the form of a self-test, carried out within 24 hours prior to its presentation, in the presence of a health or pharmaceutical professional who certifies that it has been carried out and its result; or a rapid antigen test in the form of a self-test, carried out on the spot, at the door of the establishment you intend to attend, under validation by those responsible for these spaces.

Can I take a test at home and go to the restaurant or accommodation?

No. If you choose to take a quick test, you must always do it in a pharmacy or at the entrance of the establishment (restaurant or hotel) for it to be considered valid.

Where can I have a free test?

Each citizen (without full vaccination) is entitled to one test per week (four tests per month), which can be purchased at any pharmacy. There are also municipalities like Lisbon, which provide free testing centres. Tests will also be sold in supermarkets or even in restaurants and tourist accommodation that require it.

I have a five year old son. Will he also have to take a test?

Children under the age of 12 do not have to present a negative test. From that age on, they will also need a negative test or a digital certificate. The same rule will apply to tourist accommodation.

Who will inspect?

The person responsible for the establishment (restaurant or hotel) that will ask you for the digital certificate or negative test. In larger events, as is already happening, inspection may be carried out by security forces.

And if I don't comply?

Anyone who disobeys the rules announced on Thursday may face fines of up to €10,000. Fines will be applied to those who frequent restaurants or hotels. For customers, fines can range from 100 to 500 euros. For the owners of the establishments, the fines will range between 1,000 and 10,000 euros.