The decision was taken on 22 October in the Council of Ministers and announced by the Minister of the Presidency, Mariana Viera da Silva.

"Each citizen cannot move between municipalities, as happened in the past", revealed the minister, explaining that the measure goes into effect between 00:00 on 30 October and 3 November.

The decision to limit the circulation comes a week after the Council of Ministers announced the return of the state of calamity to Portugal.

Mariana Vieira da Silva also announced that the 2 November will be marked as a national day of mourning to pay tribute to all the deceased and victims of the covid-19 pandemic.