The holiday of Todos-os-Santos and the day of the dead are traditionally days of great traffic and travel, with families traveling to their homelands to pay tribute to deceased family members. With this in mind, and with the objective of preventing the spread of Covid-19, the Government moved forward with the imposition of restrictions on circulation between municipalities between 00:00 on October 30 and 06:00 on November 3. That is, only for health reasons or other reasons of imperative urgency is that people will be able to leave the municipality where they live. This is the rule, but there are exceptions.
Are commuting possible for work reasons?
Yes, and if the displacement only implies moving to a municipality bordering on the usual residence or within the same Metropolitan Area, it will be enough for the person to declare, under an honorable commitment that he / she travels for work. When traveling to municipalities other than those mentioned, it will be necessary to be accompanied by a declaration from the employer, which will serve as a justification if they are challenged by agents of the authority. These rules apply to the exercise of professional or similar activities.
Can doctors and teachers circulate?
They can, as long as they have the necessary identification with them. The same applies to health professionals in general, staff from social support institutions – homes or daycare centers, for example – and non-teaching staff from schools.
Are there other professions covered by the exceptions?
Yes and they are listed in the resolution of the Council of Ministers that determined the restrictions. Are they:
- Civil protection agents, security forces and services, military, militarized and civilian personnel of the Armed Forces and inspectors of the Food and Economic Security Authority;
- Holders of political offices, magistrates and directors of the social partners and political parties represented in the Assembly of the Republic;
- Priests or other cult ministers, provided they are duly accredited;
- Support staff to the Government or Parliament and, within it, to parties with parliamentary representation, provided they can present supporting documents
What about children or young people taking classes?
They are also not covered by the restrictions, as well as their companions, being able to go to schools, daycare centers or leisure activities. The same applies to students in higher education.
Can the children of separated parents change houses on the weekend?
As happened at Easter, when movement between different counties was also prohibited, this time also the children of separated parents cannot travel to change residence from one parent to that of the other, confirmed to Business an official source of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers.. Therefore, children will only be able to move between municipalities if the general rule applies, that is, “for reasons of health or other reasons of imperative urgency”, excluding the fulfillment of parental responsibility sharing.
Can the elderly go to day centers?
Yes, to users of Occupational Activity Centers and Day Centers and accompanying persons the same exception applies to them as to young students.
Are home visits possible?
Home visits are not justification for a citizen to move from one municipality to another.
A citizen who has a test or an exam scheduled in another municipality than yours must be absent?
No, since the law expressly provides that trips to the frequency of training and conducting tests and exams, as well as inspections.
What if there is a judicial act or a public deed previously scheduled?
Both cases are covered by the exceptions, which allow travel to participate in procedural acts with judicial bodies or in acts within the competence of notaries, lawyers, solicitors, conservators and registry officers.
Is it possible to attend a public service where an appointment has been made?
Anyone who has an appointment previously scheduled at a public service, for example to take the citizen’s card, can keep it even if this implies leaving their municipality of residence. In this case, however, the person will have to provide proof of the schedule.
Will a person traveling abroad have to postpone the trip?
Travel between municipalities to leave mainland Portugal is authorized, either to go to the airport or to cross the border by car.
Is domestic tourism authorized?
Citizens residing in mainland Portugal cannot leave their municipalities for tourism, even if they have previously made reservations at tourist establishments. In such cases, they must trigger the eventual reimbursement of expenses they have had with the reserves within the rules of civil law provided for that purpose.
What if they are foreign tourists?
These are allowed to travel between counties, but only to move to the place where they have a “proven permanence”. Once installed, they will not be able to leave the respective municipality again. The same rule applies to Portuguese citizens who habitually reside in the Autonomous Regions of Madeira or the Azores, but who travel to the continent this weekend.
Whoever bought a ticket for a show in another municipality can go and watch it?
Yes you can. Travel to attend cultural shows, if travel between municipalities bordering the usual residence or in the same Metropolitan Area are allowed provided that the person concerned is accompanied by the respective ticket.
What if a family is displaced and wants to return to their home?
Return to usual residence will also be allowed.
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