Communiqué of the Council of Ministers of December 17, 2020

1. The Council of Ministers today approved the decree that regulates the extension of the state of emergency decreed by the President of the Republic, throughout the continental territory, in the period between 00:00 on December 24, 2020 and 23:59 on January 7 .
Based on the re- evaluation of the epidemiological situation in the country, the Council of Ministers updated the list of risky municipalities , maintained the rules previously defined for the Christmas period and increased the measures for the New Year period.
It was then decided:
apply the ban on traffic on public roads from 23:00 on December 31, and on January 1, 2 and 3 from 13:00, maintaining the ban on movement between municipalities between 00:00 on December 31 2020 and 5:00 am on January 4, 2021, except for health, urgent or other reasons specifically provided for;
review the opening hours of restaurants, throughout the continental territory, establishing that, on December 31, operation is allowed until 10:30 pm; and on January 1, 2 and 3 until 1 pm, except for home deliveries.

2. The resolution approving the expenditure on contracts to be concluded for the purchase of vaccines against Covid-19 was approved, within the scope of the first phase of procurement procedures promoted by the European Commission on behalf of the Member States of the European Union.
The European Commission has concluded, to date, six Prior Acquisition Agreements with six pharmaceutical companies, anticipating the subsequent need for each Member State to complete the respective procurement processes. In addition to the Agreements entered into, there is a need to also carry out purchasing procedures related to the vaccination process, such as the costs related to storage and purchase of vaccines and the accessories essential to their administration (namely syringes, needles, solvents).
The Portuguese State, through the Directorate-General for Health, adhered to all the Agreements already approved. Thus, and without prejudice to the European Commission continuing to negotiate other similar agreements with other vaccine manufacturers, this resolution aims to authorize expenditure for the year 2021 for the acquisition of vaccines against Covid-19, under the European procedure. centralized.
3. The resolution extending the Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) network was approved, assigning two new program services in addition to the existing offer. Included here are two channels from RTP – Rádio e Televisão de Portugal, namely RTP Africa and a new program service dedicated to knowledge, increasing the total number of channels available on that free and open access platform to nine.
4. The decree-law that defines the terms of regularization, between public entities, of situations related to the transmission, use or allocation of public real estate was approved.
With the creation of this exceptional regime, the aim is to obtain greater flexibility as regards the creation or extinction, annually verified, of representations of a State entity abroad worldwide, respecting the provisions of international law applicable to relations between States, between States and organizations international organizations, as well as to public assets located abroad.
5. The decree-law that alters the internal structure and the remuneration regime applicable to the soldiers of the National Republican Guard (GNR) was approved, with a view to the adequate institutional, functional and remunerative framework of the future general officers of the GNR.
6. A transitional regime has been approved that frames the provision of financial services by authorized entities based in the United Kingdom, after the end of the transition period provided for in the withdrawal agreement between the European Union and the United Kingdom.
The transitional regime establishes a period for these entities to choose to continue to exercise activity in Portugal, instructing the processes necessary for that purpose, or to orderly cease the activity they currently exercise within a reasonable period.
7. The resolution that integrates the chairmen of the regional development and coordination commissions (CCDR) in the composition of the Territorial Consultation Council was approved, following the electoral processes carried out on October 13, 2020.