Christmas vacations in Portugal: covid-19 measures

December 13, 2020

Christmas vacations in Portugal in times of pandemic: what measures are in place? Many of you on the“Lovers of Portugal” Facebook group have asked me this question about Portugal’s decisions for the festive season. So I’m going to tell you all about it in this article, and also talk about Portugal’s vaccination plan.

Christmas vacations in Portugal: Christmas measures

Travel will be authorized between municipalities from December 23 to 26,
On December 24 and 25, traffic will be allowed on public roads until 2am,
There will be no limit on the number of people attending Christmas dinner,
Restaurants will be open for lunch on December 24 and 25, and until 1 a.m. on the evening of 24 and 25.

Christmas vacations in Portugal: New Year measures

Between midnight on December 31 and 5 a.m. on January 4, 2021, traffic between towns is prohibited,
On January 1, 2 and 3, curfew from 1:00 pm to 5:00 am,
On the night of December 31, no parties or public gatherings will be organized, as the curfew is 11:00 pm,
Restaurants will be open until 10:30 pm on December 31(instead of 1 am initially) and until 1 pm on January 1, 2 and 3(instead of 3:30 pm initially).

Measures in place outside Christmas and New Year’s

Outside Christmas and New Year’s Eve, the rules remain the same as those outlined above.

Portuguese cities are classified into 4 risk categories (from moderate to extremely high), and rules vary according to risk. To find out in which category your town is classified, click on this link, then enter the name of your town in the “Identifique o Concelho” field.

Link here to see the category your city is classified in Portugal

For towns in moderate-risk and high-risk zones. The rules are as follows:

No publictraffic between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m,
Commercial establishments must close at 10pm,
Restaurants and cultural facilities close at 10.30pm,
Civic duty to remain at home, but possibility of leaving home to go to work (if telecommuting is impossible) or to take children to school,
Telecommuting mandatory (unless telecommuting is impossible),

For cities in very high-risk and extremely high-risk zones. The rules are as follows, in addition to those above:

Saturdays, Sundays: No driving on public roads and stores closed between 1 p.m. and 5 a.m.

Covid-19 vaccination in Portugal

22.8 million doses of vaccine should be delivered to Portugal in 2021 for the total vaccination of the Portuguese population. Distribution will be progressive, with a priority plan for vaccine distribution, guaranteeing access to those who need it most.

Vaccine doses delivered in Portugal in 2021. DGS data.

The vaccine is to be taken in two doses, and will be free, universal and optional. The first vaccines will begin to be administered in January 2021. In a first phase, the capacity to administer 300,000 vaccines per week is guaranteed. Here is the table with the planned vaccination schedule.

The first vaccine phase will cover :

1. People over 50 with at least one of the following diseases (400,000 people):

2. Professionals and residents of retirement and continuing care homes (250,000 people)

3. Healthcare and armed forces professionals (300,000 people)

The second phase of vaccination will cover :

1. People over 65 with or without medical conditions (1.8 million people)

2. People between 50 and 64 with at least one of the following pathologies (900,000 people):

diabetes
chronic kidney disease
liver failure
obesity
high blood pressure
active malignant neoplasm

The final vaccination phase will concern the rest of the population (residents of Portugal), with priorities to be set according to the rate of vaccine delivery.

Vaccination plan for Portugal in 2021. DGS data.

In conclusion

As in all countries, this year’s Christmas vacations in Portugal will be subject to a number of rules. The measures for Christmas and New Year in Portugal will be re-evaluated on December 18, and could therefore change again depending on the evolution of covid-19.

Of course, you must continue to comply with the rules in force in the country you are visiting. It’s important to keep abreast of developments, and I invite you to consult the government website and the website of the French Embassy in Portugal.

Finally, I would like to remind you that in the event of symptoms in Portugal, please contact the SAUDE 24 number(Portuguese health service) on 808 24 24 24.

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