Portugal continues its deconfinement with caution

Text by: RFI Follow

With 1,218 victims and 29,000 confirmed cases of Covid-19, Portugal is entering the second phase of its deconfinement. But caution tinged with worry is in order. 

Publicity

Portugal takes another leap towards normalcy. The country enters on Monday in the second phase of its three-stage deconfinement plan started on May 4. Restaurants, nurseries and shops of more than 400 square meters will therefore be able to reopen, students in the first and final years will return to high school and homes for the elderly will once again be open to visitors.

But at this stage, the authorities themselves recognize that they do not have enough perspective to assess the impact of the first fortnight of the deconfinement, reports our correspondent in Lisbon  Marie-Line Darcy . Portugal recorded an average of 150 new cases of contamination per day during this first phase, while the alert is set at 300 new cases. After the 14 days of incubation on Sunday, the number of cases rose to 227. The epidemic is however considered to be under control.

But a university survey reveals that fear would prevent the Portuguese from breaking out of confinement. Half of those questioned say that they will not take a vacation away from home, and 30% say they suffer from anxiety. Prime Minister Antonio Costa, visiting central Lisbon, invited his compatriots to fight this fear and take to the streets. The survival of the economy is at stake.

Our selection on the coronavirus

• Listen to our Coronavirus Info column 

• Our  explanations  :
→  What we know about the mode of contagion
→  Disparities and inequalities in the face of the coronavirus: what must be remembered
→  Triple therapy, Discovery… update on research
→  The race for the vaccine is in full swing
→  How to make a mask and use it well

• Our series  : "  The response, country by country  "

• After Covid-19, towards a new world?

• Each evening, find the State of the world and Africa facing the pandemic

• See also the files of RFI Savoirs on the Covid-19:
→  Birth of a pandemic
→  Everyday life put to the test
→  The history of epidemics
→  Science facing the Covid-19
→  The geopolitical consequences

Newsletter Receive all international news directly in your mailbox

Follow all international news by downloading the RFI application

• Portugal
• Coronavirus