Among the measures decided in the Council of Ministers, and announced at a press conference by António Costa, is still the maximum limit of four people per group in shopping centre catering areas, "in order to avoid large concentrations of people in these food areas.

According to the Prime Minister, there will be "exceptions" in which it will be possible for businesses to open before 10am, with "pastries, cafés, hairdressers and gyms" as examples.

As for the closing time of establishments, it will be obligatory between 8pm and 11pm, with each municipality determining the exact time, "according to the specific reality of its municipality".

"We are entering a new phase, in which people will tend to return from holidays, and therefore it is necessary to adopt preventive measures", António Costa said.