The measures were revealed by the Minister of State and Chief of Staff of the President of the Republic, Adão Almeida, the day after Angola notified 232 new cases of covid-19, the highest figure since November 9, 2020, leading authorities to speed up the update of the measures that should run until 9 May.
"[The update] results from the fact that we are witnessing an increase in cases that puts us at a similar point in which we were already in the pandemic in the country that was in October 2020", said the minister, stressing that the "upward dynamics" it requires urgent measures to be taken to keep the situation under control.
In the new decree, which comes into force on Friday, the mandatory use of masks on public roads and in all closed spaces (markets, churches, street vending, schools, public transport, among others) will be reinforced.
Adão de Almeida affirmed that "unfortunately, in recent times there is a tendency for non-use" of personal protective equipment, reinforcing the application of fines that will vary between 15,000 and 20,000 kwanzas, as well as the civic duty of collection between 9:00 pm and 5 am.
The national health fence remains, as well as the current frequency of international flights, which includes two direct flights per week to Portugal (through airlines TAAG and TAP).
The sanitary fence in Luanda is also maintained, with entrances and exits to other provinces conditional on a test being carried out, with non-compliance being penalized with a fine ranging from 250 to 350 thousand kwanzas.
The quarantine rules are maintained, with the violation of the rules punishable by a fine ranging from 250 to 350 thousand kwanzas, aggravated for those who violate home isolation, which can range from 350 to 450 thousand kwanzas.
The workforce in public services is reduced to 50 percent, and in companies to 75 percent, with shift or telecommuting schemes recommended.
Trade ends at 8 pm, reducing the workforce to 75 percent.
Restaurants and the like will operate until 8 pm with the take-away service extending until 10 pm, with "the installation of dance floors being strictly prohibited".
Fines can range from 350 to 450 thousand kwanzas and lead to the temporary closure of spaces for a period of 30 to 90 days.
Parties are also banned in non-home spaces, with sanctioning measures in the event of non-compliance ranging from the application of fines of 450 to 500 thousand kwanzas to the owner who makes the room available for wedding parties, the seizure of sound equipment and others that may be found. on site.
Meetings with a maximum of 15 people are allowed at home.
Teaching activities remain unchanged, at the level of federated sports competitions and training, however, the presence of spectators is forbidden in order to reduce agglomerations.
Individual sporting and leisure activities are subject to two periods: in the morning, between 5:30 am and 7:30 am and at the end of the day from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm, in groups of no more than five people.
The decree also presents greater limitations for meetings, events and religious activities, making it necessary to give prior notification to local authorities if they are carried out in closed spaces and in a number of more than 100 people. In open spaces, participants will have to ensure a distance of more than two meters.
There are also specific measures for massive political and civic activities.
"We have seen that political parties, and not only, carry out massive street activities and do not always observe a set of rules", stressed Adão de Almeida, stating that in addition to being mandatory a minimum distance of two meters between participants, non-compliance allows the application of a fine to the event organizer or the party promoting the activity.
Public road gatherings will be limited to 10 people and at funerals the number of participants is reduced to 15, except in the case of the cause of death being covid-19, with a limit of five in this situation.
The transport capacity can only go up to 75 percent, continued the minister, reinforcing the mandatory use of the mask that has been neglected recently.
Beaches and swimming pools remain closed.
The measures will last for 30 days, until May 28, and are subject to change at any time, according to the epidemiological monitoring, said the minister, adding that additional measures can be taken to stem the increase in the number of cases .
