State of Emergency lifted. This is the exit plan for Cascais

 

The State of Emergency in Portugal was lifted on May 4th. Portugal is implementing a lockdown-exit plan now. You will cover your face more often, but if the outbreak continues to slow, many places will eventually open and Cascais will conduct widespread testing. The Covid-19 exit plan will be verified every two weeks. This is what it looks like in early May.

 Shops & Restaurants

All shops up to 200 m2 that provide fresh-air ventilation through the entrance doors can reopen from 4 May. Stores up to 400 m2 will have to wait until May 18, and the largest ones until June 1. Mall-goers will be able to visit Cascais Villa or Cascais Shopping centers in June, too. Bear in mind face masks or shields are now mandatory when shopping.

Restaurants’ outdoor patios, aka esplanadas, reopen on May 18. Cascais will allow occupying some public sidewalks to help distance guests. Restaurants may offer dine-in service, however only half of the seats will be available.

Parks, Beaches and Promenade

We took our first walk on the beachfront promenade paredão on May 6. There is no decision when the swimming season officially starts, and the commander of the Porto de Cascais commented that it is not going to happen before 1 June. Parks will reopen on May 18.

Public Transport

Buses in the municipality run now at two-thirds capacity, and only on the Saturday schedule. But the busCas SDR and busCas Estoril carriers operate on a regular timetable. As do the CT trains between Cascais and Lisbon. All passengers on Portuguese public transport are now required to cover their faces.

Schools

On May 18, grades 11 and 12 will return to school, but compulsory face masks will be introduced. Crèches and preschools will reopen in June. Long-distance learning will remain the norm in 2020 for the others.

Town Offices

If you need to talk to a Cascais clerk in person, call the office and try to book your visit. You are not allowed to enter any public office without an appointment and… obviously without a face mask. The good news is the Citizen’s Office of Cascais (loja de cidadão) resumes services as early as June 1.

Workplaces

As Portuguese PM Antonio Costa advised, we all should continue working from home through the month of May.

Hairdressers and Beauty Salons

Hair, nail and beauty salons reopened from 4 May. You have to book your visit by phone or online, though. Also, don’t expect to be offered coffee or a magazine and services like specific nail treatment might be refused.

Cinemas & Theatres

Cinemas and theatres will open their doors once more from 1 June. But restrictions on capacity and social distancing will also be in effect.

Sporting Activities

Individual outdoor sports like tennis can resume, but changing rooms will remain closed. In-water training is already allowed. Surfers and SUP board users can access beaches from 4 May. Skateboarders who used to gather in Parque das Gerações in Estoril will have to wait for further announcements.

Museums & Art Galleries

Museums, historical sites and art galleries are to reopen from 18 May.

Bookshops & Libraries

Bookshops and libraries begin operation 4 May.

Public Events and Religious Ceremonies

All gatherings must be currently limited to ten people. Religious services are not likely to resume in May.

Massive Covid-19 Testing

Cascais town hall has announced that widespread testing of the entire municipality is under preparation. There will be as many as 40 testing sites.

 

Andrzej Kedzierawski

Profissional journalism and digital marketing

(Born in Poland and lives in Cascais)