The fifth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic is intensifying in Portugal. To stop the increase in the number of coronavirus infections, local authorities are imposing restrictions. They should be applied mainly in the catering sector. There is a sense of injustice among entrepreneurs. Therefore, the restaurateurs announced a Christmas and New Year strike.
On Tuesday, Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa announced new restrictions for the Christmas and New Year period, which he believes should help curb the growing fifth wave of COVID-19.
New sanitary and epidemiological rules
Under the new rules, bars and discos will be closed from December 25 to January 9, while other catering establishments will require participants in family events such as weddings and christenings to pass a valid negative coronavirus test.
Prime Minister Antonio Costa clarified that on December 24 and 25, as well as from December 30 to January 1, without a negative test, it will not be possible to enter casinos, restaurants, as well as Christmas and New Year parties.
Restaurateurs’ strike
The head of the PRO.VAR restaurant organization from Portugal, Daniel Serra, said on Wednesday that entrepreneurs in the Portuguese restaurant sector are feeling resentment. He noted that requiring consumers to pass the coronavirus test is likely to scare customers away.
Serra said that several hundred restaurateurs intend to close their premises for the period of Christmas and New Years.
Epidemiological data in Portugal
On December 22, at a press conference in Lisbon, Health Minister Marta Temido announced that nearly 9,000 people had contracted the coronavirus in Portugal. This is the highest since February.