The Portuguese government plans to lift most COVID restrictions for hotels, restaurants, and bars in “the coming days,” Cabinet Minister Mariana Vieira da Silva told reporters.

Key changes include lifting mandatory testing and “vaccine passport” requirement for large events, sports venues, hotels, bars and eateries.

Close contacts of positive cases will no longer need to self-isolate, and working from home will no longer be required.

“This is a very important moment,” “This is another step towards a return to normal life,” said Vieira.

A certificate proving the holder is fully vaccinated will remain in effect to enter hospitals and at the country’s borders.

Masks must continue to be worn indoors, including public transport, gyms and supermarkets.

Portugal had tightened its restrictions on Dec. 1 in an attempt to stem a steady increase in COVID infections despite having one of the highest vaccination rates in the European Union, 90.2% as of today and 87% at the end of last year.

A COVID certificate was then imposed to access indoor venues including hotels, tourist apartments, and events with pre-assigned seats, and an additional COVID test for those without pre-assigned seats.

As of today, airlines get fined €20,000 per passenger they allow travel without a proper negative test. This, as well as other entry restrictions, may be removed in the upcoming month.

Officials claim that lowering the pandemic fatality rate to 20 per 100,000 population is major evidence that the country can safely reopen. The rate is currently around 180 per 100,000.

On Sunday, the country reported 9,360 new cases, down from a high of 65,706 on Jan. 27.

Vieira da Silva also stated that she expects all remaining COVID restrictions to be lifted within the next five weeks.

“It’s not yet time to declare the epidemic over…but this is a watershed moment,” the minister said, adding that if deaths and hospitalizations continue to fall, the government may be able to remove the rest of the measures in five weeks.

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