LISBON.
People in different parts of greater Lisbon will have to return to their homes as of next week, while Portuguese officials deal with a worrying wave of coronaviruses in the city’s peripheries, the government announced on Thursday.
Residents of affected areas of the capital – which represent a total of 19 regions that do not include the center of Lisbon – will be able to leave their homes just to buy essential products, such as food and medicines, and to commute to work.
“The only efficient way to control the pandemic is to stay at home whenever possible, maintain social distance at all times and always maintain standards of protection and hygiene,” Prime Minister Antonio Costa told reporters.
The measure will be in effect from 1 to 14 July, when it will be revised, according to a government document.
In the 19 designated areas, there will be a limit of up to five people for meetings, compared with a limit of 10 in greater Lisbon and 20 for the rest of the country.
The announcement comes after the government introduced restrictions on Tuesday that included an order for most commercial spaces in the capital’s metropolitan area, excluding restaurants, to be closed at 8 pm every day.
With 40,415 infections and 1,549 deaths from the coronavirus, Portugal is considered a successful case in the fight against disease. The country began to suspend lockdown measures on May 4.
