The temperature measurement is "mandatory for all service providers and voluntary for workers", said the public transport company, in a statement sent to the Lusa agency.

Within the scope of the Metropolitano de Lisboa contingency plan to combat the new coronavirus, temperature control aims at "protecting its employees and customers, being in line with the best national and international practices, in order to strengthen health to prevent the spread of covid-19".

According to the company, the temperature measurement for all service providers is carried out in the various administrative buildings, namely in the material parks and workshops, in the traction posts, in the movement centres and in the private access zones existing in the stations, in places reserved for this purpose.

"The measurement is carried out safely by the security guards of the referred facilities, using digital infrared thermometers, without contact. The security guards will wear a mask and perform hand hygiene before and after each temperature measurement", added the Metropolitano, noting that the measure is mandatory for all service providers.

In order to safeguard the principles of protection of personal data, the company will not carry out any records of the temperature measurements made, indicating that, in case of temperature above 37.5 degrees, the recommendations of the Directorate-General for Health.

According to Metropolitano de Lisboa, "the parties involved in this procedure are bound by the duty of confidentiality, the same being carried out temporarily, only during the current pandemic scenario".

The company will continue to actively monitor the evolution of the covid-19 pandemic situation, adding that "the measures that, at any given moment, will be deemed necessary to ensure the best health and safety conditions for its employees and customers".

Last week, Metropolitano de Lisboa revealed that there was "a 48.4 percent reduction in validations", due to the covid-19 pandemic, ensuring that, despite the drop in customer movement, security teams remain, without record of abnormal incidents.

"From 2 March to 17 March, there was a 48.4 percent reduction in validations", the public transport company told Lusa, indicating that the reduction in passengers in the Metropolitano de Lisboa was essentially due to from 16 March, the date when schools closed and when there was "a greater drop in the movement of customers, with a 68.8 percent reduction in validations".

The company has made "some additional adjustments" in the level of offer and in the operation of some services, since 23 March, starting to operate, on all lines, at weekend hours, as well as opening the validation channels in the entire network.

Although it is possible for anyone to enter the Metro without validating the ticket, "so far there are no records of abnormal incidents".