Portugal’s government will not hesitate to tighten restrictions on Covid-19 during the Christmas festivities if they are needed to control a recent spike in the disease, Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa said on Wednesday.
Despite the country having one of the highest vaccination rates in the world, a recent increase in infections and the emergence of the Ômicron variant of the coronavirus led the government to re-adopt some restrictions as of this Wednesday.
When asked whether the government can adopt more restrictive measures during the Christmas period, Costa replied: “We all wish that these measures are not necessary, but if they become necessary, we will take these measures.”
“We must always be vigilant to take further action if necessary. This is how we have lived for the past two years and we have managed to prevail, although it has been difficult for everyone,” the prime minister told reporters.
Costa praised the Portuguese people for their civic mentality and their understanding that individuals are only protected when the entire population is protected.
To deal with the latest spree, the government on Wednesday reinstituted the mandatory use of masks in closed public spaces, recommended remote work whenever possible and ordered all airline passengers to show a negative Covid test upon arrival, even if vaccinated.
Exceptions are people with a virus recovery certificate and children 12 and under.
Reference: CNN Brasil
