The reopening yesterday of Portugal’s bars and discos after 20 months of pandemic-enforced restrictions saw queues gather ‘early’ outside establishments, reports SIC television news – and quickly stretch hundreds of metres.
Indeed, many young people realised there was little chance of them getting into their chosen nightspot.
This was the case for a number trying to access Lisbon’s popular ‘Urban Beach’.
Queues formed without any attempt at physical distancing, adds SIC.
The crowds however will all have been in possession of a Covid Digital Certificate – meaning they will either have been fully-vaccinated or presenting a negative test for SARS-CoV-2.
Last night was the first night under Portugal’s ‘new regime’ of relative freedom (click here).
The mood among all those interviewed was buoyant. These are clearly young people who can’t wait to get back to their favourite weekend nighttime routines.
Some bar owners/ managers however have been described as taking this new phase slowly.
By government ‘decree’ the wearing of masks in bars and discos is no longer mandatory – but that doesn’t mean it won’t happen. SIC found young people queuing in their masks, and affirming they would keep their masks on if and when they got inside their chosen nightspot.
Staff working for the Flow Group could be seen behind the bar with masks still in place, while director João Magalhães told SIC that the premises will continue to operate with limits on capacity (in spite of these no longer being required), particularly as many people are not yet psychologically ready to find themselves in a crowded indoor setting.
