The Assistant Secretary of State and Health said he hoped that the race can be held with public, reinforcing the confidence in health entities, which have already authorised the presence of spectators at the event.

"I have great confidence in our bodies, namely the Directorate General of Health [DGS] and the technical commission of mass events. The information I have is that it has been given a favourable opinion for the Rally of Portugal," he told journalists.

In Fafe, in the Braga district, where several rounds of the World Rally Championship are held, Lacerda Sales admitted that this is "an event with some very specific characteristics, because it is very difficult to control issues related to the public".

Lacerda Sales underlined that "the security forces were asked to control this influx as much as possible".

The Rally of Portugal will be held between 21 and 23 May in the central region, with qualifying races in Lousã, Góis and Arganil, and in the north, in Lousada, Vieira do Minho, Cabeceiras de Basto, Amarante, Porto, Felgueiras and Fafe.

Since the declaration of the Covid-19 pandemic, most sporting events, even those held outdoors, have been held without spectators.

In this sense, the governor left a "message to people, to the individual and collective conscience, to comply with the DGS guidelines so that the rally can be carried out in the safety measures dictated by the health authorities".