Portugal state of emergency extended to 23 December

Portuguese president Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa on Friday extended the national state of emergency for a further fortnight, although he indicated the restrictions could be eased in time for Christmas.

He said the current extension would run until 23 December.

The government has yet to specify what arrangements will apply over the holiday season.

Prime Minister Antonio Costa is expected to speak on Saturday afternoon and may announce a framework to allow families to reunite during the Christmas period.

For the past weeks, there have been partial curfews and specific regions targeted with stricter measures according to the number of cases.

From Friday evening until Wednesday, people from the worst-hit counties will not be allowed to travel outside their areas, unless in the case of urgent and clearly stated exceptions.

Portugal has officially recorded more than 307,000 cases of COVID-19 and 4,700 deaths.