“The first talks were unsuccessful so I have no idea what this outcome will be but I hope the Portuguese government has the ability to self-reflect,” says Mayor. They’ve created a special holiday feast for four or six people only for takeaway. Without support and tourist foot traffic, the pandemic could completely alter Portugal’s cuisine itself. The COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal is part of the pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).On 2 March 2020, the virus was confirmed to have reached the country when it was reported that two men, a 60-year-old doctor who travelled to the north of Italy on vacation and a 33-year-old man … Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech SE raised their Covid-19 vaccine production … People are being told to stay home, leaving streets deserted. A SECOND wave of Covid is sweeping Europe - as France brings in curfews, Spain shuts bars and Portugal declares a "state of calamity". People wearing protective masks walk by in Lisbon before the prime minister announces the new lockdown due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in Portugal, January 13, 2021. A couple of uneasy hours later, after meeting with the mayor of Lisbon, Fernando Medina, and the Minister of Economy, Pedro Siza Vieira (who via phone), the strikers return with beaming faces. Portugal on Saturday posted a new record of daily COVID-19 infections with another 39 deaths, over 4,007 new infections and 286 patients in intensive care. Austria and Portugal have announced new restrictions in an attempt to curb the spread of coronavirus. You may opt-out by. Back in July, the Michelin-starred EPUR opened a window to serve chef Vincent Farges’s take on simpler snacks to appeal to a neighborhood, after-work crowd. Restaurants are being encouraged to use call-ahead seating or reservations. READ THE FULL STORY:Restaurants must close under new COVID-19 restrictions in Baltimore. If a restaurant has a COVID-19 case, it must temporarily close to undergo cleaning. An online petition by the movement, “sobreviver a pao e a agua” (“survive, bread, water”) behind the strike is gaining traction, with over 75,000 signatures so far and thousands more signing each hour—they need all the support they can get. Let’s support them by booking a table where safe, or ordering food to go. Another group of chefs putting together a serious breakfast, tomorrow at Fábrica da Musa, is New Kids on the Block. The idea is to feed people in a safe and responsible way, and it now accounts for almost half of the group’s revenue. According to official data compiled by local media, between May 21 and June 21, Portugal recorded 9,221 new cases of Covid-19, with most cases detected in the Lisbon and Tagus Valley regions. For all other types of travel and for guidance on arriving … Best Dining in Ericeira, Mafra: See 15,788 Tripadvisor traveler reviews of 156 Ericeira restaurants and search by cuisine, price, location, and more. ... All restaurants, bars and cafes will be closed except for the delivery and takeaway services. The newly opened Zunzum is offering a “pequeno grande almoço”—“big breakfast” in Portuguese—that also includes a discount on takeaway food for later in the day. “I have already had to close four of my establishments and had to let go of 38 members of staff. © 2021 Forbes Media LLC. Portugal has closed its borders with Spain – only Portuguese citizens and residents and people transporting goods are allowed to enter. Austria and Portugal have announced new restrictions in an attempt to curb the spread of coronavirus. Sitting on wooden deck-chairs, wrapped up in blankets, clad in face masks and thick winter coats, nine Portuguese restaurant, nightclub, and bar owners from across the country are camping under four canopy tents in the chilly winter temperatures, as they enter their seventh day of a hunger strike outside the Portuguese Parliament in Lisbon. 1 Comments Residents of affected areas are asked to not leave the house except for work, school or shopping during the week, and must stay home between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m ), “We need to be a collective movement,” she says. Since November 8, a curfew and weekend lockdown put in place in an attempt to curb the spike in COVID-19 cases has angered restaurateurs, who say that many of their businesses will not survive this year. As an owner of 26 establishments within the hospitality sector, Sotto Mayor also feels that he has an important role to play in defending the interests of the Portuguese laborforce. However it is not only the quantity of places offering food in which Portugal excels. Bars and nightclubs have been closed since March and while restaurants were allowed to reopen in May, a restriction on travel and the country being left out of certain travel corridors with neighboring European countries has meant that many establishments have already lost a sizable chunk of their annual income from the summer season. I want emails from Fodor's Travel with travel information and promotions. NKOTB (named by their fans, not the members) was born before the pandemic, when Pedro Abril (Chapitô à Mesa) started a WhatApp group with other members of Lisbon’s new generation of rising stars, to discuss ways of doing things, suppliers and human resources. Covid-19, and all the news around it, is undeniably depressing. In Austria, the restrictions include a curfew from 20:00 to 06:00. Portugal’s president tested positive for Covid-19 and is in isolation. What are they protesting and why, and how will this affect Portugal’s culinary and tourism scene for good? On Friday, authorities scrapped plans to reopen non-essential activities in the capital, prolonging a ban that took effect on December 18. “Currently, we offer what we call a feast, a chef’s feast at the restaurant. Dining in Portugal Cove, Newfoundland: See 288 Tripadvisor traveller reviews of 7 Portugal Cove restaurants and search by cuisine, price, location, and more. Booze for breakfast: How Portuguese restaurants are trying to get round their Covid curfew. Portugal has developed a travel insurance for visitors residing abroad - Portugal Travel Insurance - which covers, among other aspects, medical, surgical, pharmaceutical and hospital expenses related to Covid-19, as well as cancellation, interruption expenses or extension of the trip also for reasons of Covid-19. “To survive until Easter, we need to work in December,” insists Sotto Mayor. Nine restaurant owners in Portugal are protesting the nation's latest coronavirus restrictions with a hunger strike. But without tourists and government support, many restaurants that championed and experimented with local flavors will be forced to close their doors, impacting the diversity of the culinary scene. Sign up Sign in. The nine businessmen are not just fighting to keep their clubs open during Christmas, and therefore open at all, but also for the Portuguese government to meet their proposals regarding reform in the conditions of government aid offered to workers within the sector. People wearing protective masks walk by in Lisbon before the prime minister announces the new lockdown due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in Portugal, January 13, 2021. Home; Portugal. Now they’re boxing up all those dishes for people to take home. It’s not just restaurants, nightclubs, and bars taking a major hit but the crisis is also trickling down to DJs, artists, hotels, suppliers, and farmers to name a few—a relationship that works both ways. Get FREE email communications from Fodor's Travel, covering must-see travel destinations, expert trip planning advice, and travel inspiration to fuel your passion. Last updated: January 15, 2021 Country-Specific Information: The Department of State advises U.S. citizens to reconsider travel to Portugal due to COVID-19. A new lockdown to bring record high coronavirus cases under control will come into force in Portugal from Friday, Prime Minister Antonio Costa announced, urging people to stay indoors and protect themselves. "We are at the most dangerous moment (of the pandemic)," Costa told reporters on Wednesday. It wasn’t until during the tourism boom where tourists preferred to spend their dollars on local specialties that restaurants began to dispense of French and Italian cooking that they had obsessed over for decades, self-reflecting and fully embracing traditional Portuguese flavors. “We’re so thankful.”. All 36 restaurants in Portugal. A new lockdown to bring record high coronavirus cases under control will come into force in Portugal from Friday, Prime Minister Antonio Costa announced, … Filipe Froes, a doctor from the national COVID-19 task force, says Portugal had time to prepare for the outbreak, with the virus reaching the country later than in Spain and Italy. Farmers need to sell…. They are protesting against coronavirus lockdown measures introduced by the Portuguese government during the pandemic. A recent survey showed that around 80% of restaurants will not be able to survive until September without adequate support. New Kids on the Block and friends in the before times. Located in the same peninsula, Portugal has had a little over 1,000 deaths for a population of 10.2 million, compared with Spain’s more than 26,000 deaths for a population of 47 million. A SECOND wave of Covid is sweeping Europe - as France brings in curfews, Spain shuts bars and Portugal declares a "state of calamity". I’ve shared that wisdom with readers of Forbes, Departures, Conde Nast Traveler, Robb Report, Afar, National Geographic Traveler, Islands, Hemispheres, Brides, Modern Bride, Luxury SpaFinder, Well + Good, and other publications. In Austria, the restrictions include a curfew from 20:00 to 06:00. They’re planning more safe events for whenever those can happen, as well as a pop-up takeaway and delivery service (not UberEats or the like, which are horrible for restaurants) with a streaming channel to connect them more closely with their customers and friends. Portugal on Saturday posted a new record of daily COVID-19 infections with another 39 deaths, over 4,007 new infections and 286 patients in intensive care. Spain, with its high coronavirus death toll and ongoing confinement, regards neighboring Portugal with a combination of envy and perplexity. As international appreciation for Portuguese food grew, restaurants and chefs began to completely alter their menus. Smart restaurateurs are rethinking their hours. Quick Search: Delivery. The United Kingdom is banning travel from the whole of South America and Portugal amid concerns over a new variant of the coronavirus in Brazil, … We hope this will be our final battle but we won’t stop until we know that our people will not go another day hungry.”, Fodor's may use your email address to send you relevant information on site updates, account changes, and offers. For Businesses. ... All restaurants, bars and cafes will be closed except for the delivery and takeaway services. Best Dining in Ericeira, Mafra: See 15,788 Tripadvisor traveler reviews of 156 Ericeira restaurants and search by cuisine, price, location, and more. Almost exactly two months after the first two cases of Covid-19 were diagnosed in Portugal, and after three consecutive states of emergency (a condition that can … (This week’s ingredient, chestnuts, in honor of the São Martinho holiday, is being cooked by André Lança Cordeiro from Essencial for pre-ordered takeaway only. And since takeaway is likely to be part of life for a while, Mezze—the Middle Eastern restaurant opened by the Pão a Pão Association to employ refugees and migrants from Iraq, Syria, Morocco, Eretria and other countries—is adding new dishes to its menu this month and planning ahead for small-scale Christmas celebrations. People are being told to stay home, leaving streets deserted. João Rodrigues of Feitoria kicked it off with pumpkin, and then André Magalhes of Taberna das Rua das Flores continued it with sweet potato. According to a recent survey by the local restaurant association PRO.VAR, nearly 30% of Portugal’s restaurants may now be closed for good. And with more closures, establishments will have to rely on domestic clients who are less interested in experimental local Portuguese flavors compared to their foreign counterparts, and it might take years to recover. Since these establishments are struggling, it’s also creating a negative domino effect on other industries across the country. “This was not any heroic behavior,” she is quick to add. Comida Independente “can be a catalyst. Portugal registered 10,556 cases of infection with the new coronavirus in the last 24 hours, the highest daily figure since the beginning of the pandemic, bringing the total to 507,108. All 36 restaurants in Portugal. I can unsubscribe any time using the unsubscribe link at the end of all emails. Portugal has reported 53,223 infections and 1,764 deaths from the coronavirus, much lower than many other European countries including neighbouring Spain, where more than 28,500 have died. People just want something positive in their lives.”, The team from Cavalariça (in a press photo taken pre-covid). Countries across Europe are grappling to control the outbreak, with France announcing … Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech SE raised their Covid-19 vaccine production target for this year to 2 billion shots. The measures, which were approved on Monday by the Regional Government of Madeira, are part of the fight against the covid-19 pandemic. But one bright spot has been watching the creativity and resilience that has flourished in the restaurant sector. And for the hours that they can’t, takeaway and delivery options have never been so good. A new lockdown to bring record high coronavirus cases under control will come into force in Portugal from Friday, Prime Minister Antonio Costa announced, urging people to stay indoors and protect themselves. In the name of lifestyle journalism, I’ve gotten a tattoo in Bora Bora, been bitten by a massage therapist, and flown small aircraft above three continents. The measures, which were approved on Monday by the Regional Government of Madeira, are part of the fight against the covid-19 pandemic. In between mouthfuls of bacalao cod pastries, pastel de natas, and celebrations, Sotto Mayor reflects on the past week: “We are very proud of our country. The regional executive also decided to keep the weekend curfew between 6pm and 5am announced last week. If people can’t travel to Comporta, then Comporta can come to the people, in the form of bistro food, international influences and an informal mood, during the hours that restaurants can be safely open. Last updated: January 15, 2021 Country-Specific Information: The Department of State advises U.S. citizens to reconsider travel to Portugal due to COVID-19. As night falls, Sotto Mayor sits on the edge of his deck-chair, holding his breath, as two of his fellow protesters, Jose Gouveia and media chef and restaurant entrepreneur Ljubomir Stanisic, are hauled off in a government car to enter talks with members of the Parliament for the second time. But due to the pandemic, many of these businesses won’t open again. Mobile. Help. Events have been cancelled. I know the difference between expensive travel and the truly luxurious, America's Top Givers: The 25 Most Philanthropic Billionaires, EY & Citi On The Importance Of Resilience And Innovation, Impact 50: Investors Seeking Profit — And Pushing For Change, Today, Celebrate Both The Inauguration And National Cheese Lover’s Day. On top of this, restaurants make most of their income over the weekend, so it’s crucial that the weekend lockdown is lifted and that we return to normal operating hours as soon as possible,” says Sotto Mayor. Mobile. Home; Portugal. Countries across Europe are grappling to control the outbreak, with France announcing new measures and the UK imposing a four-week lockdown. Track COVID-19 local and global coronavirus cases with active, recoveries and death rate on the map, with daily news and video. “We happened to be in a spot where we could help.”, This fall, she took it to another level with the creation of Mercado dos Produtores, a market with organic vegetables, fruits, cheeses and breads selling directly to their consumers, down the street in Praça São Paulo. Meliá Hotels International To Offer Free Covid-19 Tests To Meet CDC Travel Requirements, Michelin Star Awarded To Vegan Restaurant For First Time Ever. To prevent spread of COVID-19 in restaurants, we recommend strengthening temperature-monitoring surveillance, increasing the distance between tables, ... Portugal… How has Portugal's response been different and how has it managed to avoid the high death tolls of neighboring countries? Portugal has closed its borders with Spain – only Portuguese citizens … Let’s support them by booking a table where safe, or ordering food to go. The rules will be similar to the six-week lockdown imposed between March and April last … Hungry for more? Three weeks ago, they started a weekend lunch service of Portuguese comfort food, such as roasted goat with oven-baked rice and cozido à transmontana (a typical meat stew from chef Vitor Adão’s native Trás-os-Montes region). Inside Portugal’s hotels, restaurants, and attractions amid the coronavirus outbreak, according to a traveler who recently visited. The recent awarding of a record 23 Michelin Stars to restaurants around the country show that its quality is on the up too. At weekends, a lockdown is in place from 1 p.m. to 5 a.m., during which all commercial outlets and restaurants must shut, although there are some exceptions. The Portuguese government has agreed to hear the protesters out and agreed with the majority of their demands, which would be evaluated and a verdict announced during a third meeting with the protesters set to take place on December 11. Lisbon's beautiful streets are calmer, but far from lifeless Credit: getty How has Portugal's response been different and how has it managed to avoid the high death tolls of neighboring countries? To make matters worse, the pandemic’s effect on the local food sector is impacting more than just profits. The ban, which includes Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina and Portugal, will be implemented from 4 a.m. on Friday, Shapps said on Twitter. “For the majority of Portugal’s restaurants, after the summer months, a peak of income comes from now to Christmas. “They need to feel a little bit normal in this abnormal world we’re living in right now.”, Their outdoor, socially distanced lunch (following all the guidelines from the health authority) on November 1 booked up within six days, with 150 people and a waiting list. The total death toll now stands at 1,852 with 62,126 confirmed infections. We started the delivery with our personal cars.” Eventually they made a few upgrades and managed to serve some 350 families in the community, sometimes delivering 60 orders a day. During the first lockdown, he says, “it was really important to get some feedback on new approaches to the problem…and creative ways to fight this long struggle.”. Another something positive, if all goes well, is the arrival of a new pop-up in Lisbon from Cavalariça, the much-acclaimed restaurant in Comporta. During the outbreak of pneumonia by the new Coronavirus – COVID-19 the Portuguese government has been taking all necessary public health measures to protect the entire Cafes and restaurants … “In order to be eligible for the scheme, certain criteria has to be met: new businesses that opened in 2018-2019 are barred from applying or if establishments are in some sort of debt to the government. When life returned to Lisbon in the summer and autumn, NKOTB (Abril plus Pedro Monteiro and Octávio Delmonte of Fábrica da Musa, Leonor Godinho of Musa da Bica, Bernardo Agrela of Hub Beato, José Paulo Rocha of O Velho Eurico and Tiago Lima Cruz, formerly of Sal Grosso) started to put together events that combined food with music and some of life’s other pleasures. EN. At weekends, a lockdown is in place from 1 p.m. to 5 a.m., during which all commercial outlets and restaurants must shut, although there are some exceptions. U.S. citizens traveling directly from the United States to Portugal for non-essential (tourist) travel are currently prohibited from entering Portugal. And restaurants like Taberna do Calhau and Geographia are going all in, offering special dinners in the morning. But due to the pandemic, since most businesses have been closed for over eight months during the pandemic, we are all in some sort of debt”. Many hospitality businesses within the Algarve region, Portugal’s south coast, make the majority of their profit in the summer months, with many restaurant owners and staff living off the profit they make for the rest of the year and remain closed during the winter. The government of Prime Minister Antonio Costa says the coronavirus measures are necessary to bring the pandemic under control and avoid stricter measures next month, but the protesters disagree. We may as well eat well. After the country’s tourism boom over the past several years that saw the sector inject 18 million euros into the local economy last year alone (compared to 9.4 million in 2014), new restaurants were popping up daily, particularly in the country’s capital, to meet the demand. The SEAME Group (the parent company of the Asian tavern Soão and the modern fishmonger Sea Me) organized several delivery-only brands, such as Olivia for burgers, A BOA T for Asian fare and Amor y Odio for burritos. Best Dining in Lagos, Faro District: See 90,784 Tripadvisor traveller reviews of 452 Lagos restaurants and search by cuisine, price, location, and more. Enditem Sign up Sign in. “We realized that people need this kind of events that are more than just food,” says Abril. All Rights Reserved, This is a BETA experience. Portugal’s president tested positive for Covid-19 and is in isolation. I want emails from Fodor's Travel with travel information and promotions. According to government data, the number of people who registered as unemployed in the country jumped 34.5% in October compared to figures from 2019, with approximately 72% of the recently unemployed working within the hospitality and retail sector. Restaurants are struggling due to Covid. Mexico’s official Covid-19 death toll, the fourth highest in the world, now stands at around 134,000, with more than 1.5 million cases registered. The regional executive also decided to keep the weekend curfew between 6pm and 5am announced last week. (I’ve written about those, too.) “Our struggle is over, for now,” announces Gouveia to his protesters and supporters. READ THE FULL STORY:Restaurants must close under new COVID-19 restrictions in Baltimore. Portugal has reported three more deaths and 585 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours. Watch: Exploring Portugal's Covid-free alternative to Mallorca by bike Save Simon Parker, Travel writer ... and has one of the best restaurants on the island. Filipe Froes, a doctor from the national COVID-19 task force, says Portugal had time to prepare for the outbreak, with the virus reaching the country later than in Spain and Italy. The COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal is part of the pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 … Inside Portugal’s hotels, restaurants, and attractions amid the coronavirus outbreak, according to a traveler who recently visited. Portugal's health system on brink of collapse as COVID-19 cases surge Europe 00:25 Iran, EUAE trade value hits $3.419B since signing PTA: TPOI Business 17 January 23:45 To make matters worse, the pandemic’s effect on the local food sector is impacting more than just profits. Most street restaurants and shops in the Algarve have closed, and shopping centres are virtually empty. Without support and tourist foot traffic, the pandemic could completely alter Portugal’s cuisine itself. Elsehwhere UK research suggests most people who get and survive COVID-19 get at least five months' personal immunity – … Takeout. Learn How. Normally, the year-old Plano serves an inventive dinner tasting menu of dishes cooked over a fire in the outdoor dining room. Pre-Covid, its Tripadvisor page was filled with as many dire warnings about hour-long wait times as it was five star reviews. Booze for breakfast: How Portuguese restaurants are trying to get round their Covid curfew. Elsehwhere UK research suggests most people who get and survive COVID-19 get at least five months' personal immunity – although they can still infect others if they catch it again. Help. U.K./EU Travel Ban, Cruises: What Will Biden Decide Today On Travel? I’m discerning but not jaded, and I appreciate the hard work that goes into crafting experiences as well as crafting luxury goods. Learn How. Most street restaurants and shops in the Algarve have closed, and shopping centres are virtually empty. Portugal has reported 53,223 infections and 1,764 deaths from the coronavirus, much lower than many other European countries including neighbouring Spain, where more than 28,500 have died. Look out for our newsletters with travel tips and special offers. The ban, which includes Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina and Portugal, will be implemented from 4 a.m. on Friday, Shapps said on Twitter. The situation is particularly concerning since much of the country’s economy depends on the tourism and restaurant sector to survive. Portugal is set to extend its confinement measures for at least four weeks amid a spike in Covid deaths. Portugal; Portugal Restaurants Make a free reservation. “I have already had to close four of my establishments and had to let go of 38 members of staff. All they are asking is for their voices to be heard. “Restaurants only account for 3% of the total Portuguese population, so to put millions of people and family’s lifelines in jeopardy is excessive beyond words,” says Sotto Mayor. Even this week, in my home of Lisbon, shortly after the newest health measure (a weekend curfew of 1pm) was announced, I was cheered by all the press releases and Instagram notices I received about how restaurants planned to take care of their customers safely. Portugal has become the latest European state to announce new coronavirus restrictions, as Austria and England also prepare for lockdown, amid public backlash in other states forced into quarantines by the second wave of Covid-19. THE government today revealed there have been a record 155 fatalities in the last 24 hours, a significant increase on the previous maximum of 122 recorded yesterday. Travel Can’t Recover Until US Solves Last-Mile Vaccination Problem, This Airline Aims To Be The World’s First Vaccinated International Airline, Why EAST Miami Is The Ultimate Workcation Destination, The World’s Most Picturesque Golf Courses, According To Instagram. Is France Moving Towards A Legalization Of Cannabis? But in a certain weird way, this year has had some nice surprises for people who love food. “We totally transformed. Let’s go. In between mouthfuls of bacalao cod pastries, Where Can You Travel? The team from Cavalariça (in a press photo taken pre-covid) Francisco Nogueira. We still have to eat. Has Nature REALLY Returned Since We’ve Been Quarantining?