In this new stage of the gradual easing of lockdown measures, about 300 thousand students return to secondary schools in the mainland, a possibility that is also extended to higher education, but it is up to universities and polytechnic institutes to decide how this return to classes will be made.

The resumption of in-person education for secondary and higher education students is advancing across the mainland, regardless of the level of risk in each municipality.

In the restaurant area, as of today it will be possible to visit restaurants, cafes, and pastry shops and sit inside, but with the limitation of groups up to four customers, and the terrace service that was already authorised, which now has a limit six people.

With regard to commerce, shopping centers and all stores, regardless of their size, may also reopen to the public, but they must comply with the capacity set by the Directorate-General for Health.

These reopenings apply to most of the country, except in six counties (Alandroal, Albufeira, Carregal do Sal, Figueira da Foz, Marinha Grande and Penela), which will continue with the rules that were in force in the last 15 days, and four others (Moura, Odemira, Portimão and Rio Maior), will retreat to the “tighter” restrictions of the first phase of the easing of lockdown.

Despite this new step in the country's easing of the lockdown, the border with Spain remains closed, with only 18 authorised points for the international transport of goods, cross-border and seasonal workers duly documented, emergency and emergency vehicles and emergency services permitted.

As of today, the practice of medium-risk sports is also authorised, as well as physical activity in the open air of up to six people, and weddings and baptisms are allowed again in the mainland, although limited to 25% of the capacity to occupation of spaces where they take place.

Outdoor events in the municipalities that advanced to the next stage are subject to a decrease in capacity of five people per 100 square meters, citizen stores reopen with in-person service by appointment in most of the country, but the general duty of recollection remains in Portugal, since the Government considers it necessary to contain circulation, in order to control the pandemic.

The decision of the majority of the country to advance to this new phase of the easing of lockdown plan - the third of four planned until May 3 - was announced by the Prime Minister, António Costa, after Thursday's Council of Ministers that analyzed the evolution of the pandemic in the past two weeks.