Extension of the Public Calamity Situation

On the past 11 December, Presidential Decree No. 314/20, of 11 December 2020 was published the, which came into force at 00:00 on 12 December 2020 which proceed with the update the measures to prevent and control the spread of the SARS-COV-2 virus and COVID-19.

Among the principal novelties, we highlight the following:

1. Renewal of the sanitary fence in the Province of Luanda, in force from 00:00 of 12 December 2020 until 11.59 pm of 10 January 2021;
2. Bank agencies are allowed to operate until 17h with 75% of the workforce in-person, between 21 and 31 December 2020;
3. Expansion of the opening hours of commercial establishments, which can now operate between 7 am and 9 pm, as well as of the in-person labor force, whose limit is increased to 75%;
4. Extension of restaurant and similar establishments hours of operation, with on-site service between 6 am and 9 pm, provided that with occupation up to 50% of its capacity and 4 people per table, and the take-away is extended until 10.00 pm;
5. The public markets and handicraft markets, as well as the street sales, start operating from Tuesday to Saturday, between 6 am and 3 pm;
6. The maximum of 15 (fifteen) persons for household gatherings applies, equally, to Christmas Eve and to gatherings for the celebration of the New Year’s Eve.

Despite the novelties, some of the measures already foreseen in the previous Presidential Decree No. 298/20, of 20 November 2020, which is now revoked, remain in force, namely the measures that foresee:

1. Civic duty of curfew, from 10 pm. to 5 am., as well as the mandatory use of a face mask on the public thoroughfare, in closed spaces of public access, in public transportation and public transport, in educational establishments, in street sales and markets;
2. Close of all borders, except for previously authorized situations, which are subject to pre-shipment testing with negative results;
3. Resumption of scheduled flights, both domestic and international;
4. Home quarantine for national and foreign citizens and members of the Diplomatic Corps accredited in Angola, coming from outside the country;
5. Home quarantine for foreign citizens coming from abroad and with their own residence;
6. Maintenance of the validity, even if expired, until 31 December 2020, of some official documents, such as: Identity Card; Driver's License; Foreign Resident Card and visas granted to foreign citizens who are in Angola.