Portuguese authorities plan to reopen gambling establishments

Portugal's casinos

Casinos and other entertainment venues in Portugal may reopen their doors to guests, despite the high risk of the spread of the coronavirus infection. However, their customers will require a COVID-19 digital certificate or a negative test made at least 3 days before the visit.

 

The decision is contained in an order published in the official Portuguese gazette Diário da República. The document has already been approved and entered into force.  The initiative of the authorities was the result of the fact that such institutions have proven their ability to function in accordance with current security measures in the country.

 

Under the new rules, casino workers are exempt from the requirement to have a digital certificate or a negative test. Guests, on the other hand, will need one of these documents.

 

"The approved government decision authorises the operation of casinos or similar establishments located in municipalities with a high and very high risk of spreading COVID-19," said a press release signed by the state's economy minister, Pedro Siza Vieira.

 

The functionary specified that the venues must comply with the "guidelines and instructions defined for these activities by the Directorate General of Health (DGS)" as well as "other general conditions stipulated in the Council of Ministers Resolution No 74-A/2021 of 9 June in its current version".

 

Furthermore, the Portuguese government's decision adds that the institutions "have demonstrated their ability to strictly comply with the rules, as well as safety measures to preserve the health of visitors online casino not on gamstop".

 

Earlier, other countries in Europe had started to consider similar possibilities for the reopening of land-based casinos. However, many states are unwilling to take the risk of forcing a decision until they have achieved a high level of vaccination of the population.