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Portugal May Require Use of Masks When It Eases Confinement

Portugal May Require Masks in Public When It Eases Confinement

(Bloomberg) --

Portugal is preparing to reopen some activities that were closed due to the coronavirus pandemic with rules that include the use of masks in public spaces, Prime Minister Antonio Costa said.

People who use public transport or attend school will be required to use masks, while restaurants will have to lower their seating capacity, he said.

“Most Portuguese are aware that life will only return to normal when there is a vaccine” for the coronavirus, Costa said in comments broadcast by television channel RTP 3. “That won’t happen in less than a year or a year and a half.”

The government will announce on Thursday what businesses can resume operating from May 4. Portugal on Monday reported the smallest daily increase in confirmed coronavirus cases since March 19, while the number of patients in intensive care units fell for a ninth day. There were 163 new cases in a day, taking the total to 24,027, and the total number of deaths rose to 928.

©2020 Bloomberg L.P.