On Friday, Portugal's parliament voted to extend the coronavirus-related state of emergency — in effect since November 9 — until December 23, with the outlook to pass another 15-day extension until January 7.
At a press conference announcing the regulations for the Christmas and New Year holidays, Costa said that "public celebrations and gatherings in public venues of groups of more than six people would be banned." He also called on families planning to gather for the holidays to "realize the risks" and "refrain from staying without face masks long."
Christmas break in Portugal is from December 23-26. According to the prime minister, people will be allowed to travel between municipalities, but only travelers will be allowed in the streets overnight December 24. On Christmas night on December 25, a curfew will take effect at 2 a.m. local time (02:00 GMT) for the public and at 1 a.m. for restaurants. On December 26, a public curfew will start at 11 p.m. and restaurants at 3 p.m.
For the New Year's break from December 31-January 4, travel between Portugal's municipalities will be banned, Costa said. Outdoors celebrations will also be prohibited due to a curfew beginning at 1 a.m. on January 1, both for the public and for restaurants. The curfew the next day will be in effect from 11 p.m. for the public and 3 p.m. for restaurants.
Portugal has a special weekend curfew from 1 p.m. - 5 a.m. in areas with high infection rates, as well as a general nationwide curfew of 11 p.m. - 5 a.m.
As of Saturday, Portuguese health authorities reported 318,640 coronavirus cases, including 4,876 deaths and over 240,000 recoveries.
