Lisbon, Porto, Coimbra and other municipalities from North to South of Portugal decided to cancel the New Year’s Eve celebrations.
The increase in Covid-19 cases in recent weeks and the concern about the omicron variant of the coronavirus have made several cities decide not to hold events that favor agglomerations, such as concerts and other cultural spectacles, on the night of the upset.
The decision regarding the traditional fireworks, however, was not unanimous. While Porto decided to cancel the burning, some cities in the Algarve region, for example, have plans to keep the fireworks show.
In the Portuguese capital, the City Council (equivalent to City Hall) awaits an opinion from the DGS (General Directorate of Health) before hitting the hammer.
“We are waiting for the authorities [de saúde]. I would very much like to have the ability to make fireworks, but we are currently looking into the situation. Concerts and everything that was typical on a 31st night [de dezembro], this will not happen, unfortunately,” said the mayor of Lisbon, Carlos Moedas.
In recent weeks, Portugal has seen an increase in new Covid-19 cases. The high vaccination coverage, with more than 87% of the population fully vaccinated, has kept hospitalizations and deaths at levels that are not yet considered critical by specialists.
The country, however, has already confirmed 30 more cases of the omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2. For now, all associated with an outbreak in a first division football team, Belenenses SAD.
Since December 1st, Portugal has returned to a state of calamity and has re-implemented some measures to combat the virus.
The main change is the mandatory presentation of a complete vaccination certificate –or a negative test for Covid-19– to attend indoor spaces in restaurants, cinemas, theaters and gyms.
For entry into bars, clubs and large events (such as football matches), Portugal now requires, even for vaccinated people, the presentation of a negative test for coronavirus.
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