The measures of the new presidential decree regarding the public calamity situation that will be in force from Saturday until January 10th, were presented this Thursday by the Minister of State and Head of the Civil House of the President of the Republic, Adão de Almeida.
The previous set of measures would be in force until December 22, but several factors led to an early review, according to the governor.
Besides the fact that the data regarding the new cases of covid-19 were "encouraging", in the sense of counteracting the trend of growth that had been taking place, the proximity of the festive season led the executive to adopt a new set of rules, "some for the positive and others for the negative.
Although most public services maintain the same hours and the presence of 50 percent of the workforce, between December 21 and 31, bank branches will be able to operate until 5pm with 75 percent of the workforce "in order to be able to give way to the trend toward increased demand for banking services at this time.
Commercial establishments will also be able to operate until 9pm, increasing the labor force to 75 percent, "to be more responsive and avoid large agglomerations," he indicated.
Markets and street sales could extend their operating period from three to five days, from Tuesday to Saturday, leaving the other two days for hygiene and cleaning of spaces.
The restaurants and similar, now open until 4pm, will be able to operate until 9pm, extending the service another hour for the 'take-away'.
Adão de Almeida stressed that the ban on holding parties is maintained, emphasizing that New Year's Eve parties are prohibited, "which does not mean that there can be no household gatherings," with a limit of 15 people.
The religious activities that have been held now only four days a week will maintain this periodicity until December 20th, but from the 21st until January 1st they can take place every day of the week, to allow that in this period when the faithful are more dedicated to the church, the celebrations can include more people.
The practice of sports in the public way keeps the schedule from 5am to 8am in the morning and from 5pm to 8pm in the afternoon, being now possible to join up to ten people, instead of the previous groups of five.
The same is valid for any gatherings on public roads.
Marinas for recreational purposes are still prohibited, as well as access to bathing areas, and it is expected that police surveillance will be reinforced during the festive season, the minister stressed.
