The rain hindered the work, but it did not prevent PSP and GNR from being underweight to control the movement between municipalities. The measure was defined by the Government as a way of combating the spread of Covid-19 and the number of security agents deployed illustrates the tightening of the rules: 35,000 on roads across the country.
Since midnight this Thursday and until next Monday all travel outside the municipality of residence is prohibited, except for some exceptions that require a statement justifying the reason for leaving the municipality – such as health or work reasons essential.
Paulo Claro was one of several truck drivers who went on their journey after inspection, but not without waiting in the long line that formed in the Second Circular. In Porto, the scenario was identical – including honking – and there was also a reinforcement of security forces in public transport that cross different counties. Maria Cândida saw her train to Ermesinde suppressed. In Metro, no one went to Vila Nova de Gaia without a declaration.
In Lisbon and Porto, the first day of inspection operations brought a lot of traffic, thousands of vehicles inspected, but also a scenario in which a large part complied with the rules.
7 am. The sun had not yet awakened and the security forces were already preparing for the movement that was beginning to appear on the main roads in Lisbon. At the same time, the Observer arrived at the Second Circular, one of the busiest routes in the country, but this Thursday was interrupted – like so many others – by the “Easter at Home” operation, on the border between the municipality of Lisbon and Loures.
The mission was clear: all the cars that passed through that area, in the South-North direction and next to the exit for Prior Velho, would have to be inspected. A perimeter of about 300 meters was clearly visible to all drivers, many of them preparing for the moment of truth: would they have justification or not to move to another municipality?
Like the queues that were forming, there were also thousands of statements made to PSP agents at the checkpoint of the Second Circular. Between 00:00 and 17:00, security forces inspected about seven cars per minute. In all, 7,700 vehicles passed that perimeter and only 24 were prevented from crossing the municipal border.
In a robust and noisy truck, Paulo Claro travels through the Second Circular. In place of the hanger is the Observer – with the proper protection standards. The trip was followed from the beginning of the long line to the approach of the police. At that “precise moment”, Paulo was working. “The company gave us a statement so that we could continue to work,” he says.
Paulo is one of many truck drivers who can travel, provided you comply with the rule of having a written statement that you are at work. The vehicle is not deceiving, but the PSP is on the road and no one can cross the cord of the agents, who now also use plastic gloves and visors. ”Drivers are being orderly, correct and polite”, assures the Observer the head of the PSP Luís Virgílio.
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