"The establishments of food and beverages are no longer restricted, either in terms of time, capacity or occupation of tables, that is, they can function normally", said the regional secretary of Health of the Azores, Clélio Meneses, referring to also to establishments with dance spaces, in which it will be mandatory, at the entrance, to present a digital certificate or negative test.

The regional secretary of Health was speaking to journalists following the meeting of the Government Council, held in the city of Horta, Faial Island.

Questioned by Lusa, a source in his office explained that the measures come into force today, after publication in the Official Journal.

According to Clélio Meneses, cultural, recreational and sporting events that take place in the Azores maintain the limitation of 3/4 of the respective capacity, although this limitation can be overcome by determination of the Regional Health Authority, upon presentation of a contingency plan.

The government official also announced that ten cases of infection in school-age children were detected through saliva tests carried out in schools on São Miguel, and two other cases in schools on Terceira Island, which, in his opinion, demonstrates “ the success of this testing process in schools”, but which, for now, is not a cause for concern.

The regional secretary of Health and Sports also recalled that, in the region, more than 80% of the population is already "completely vaccinated" against covid-19, which is why it is now possible to gradually lift the restrictive measures that were previously existed.