Portugal reported 303 new deaths related to COVID-19 on Thursday and just over 16,400 infections in a 24-hour period, the two highest numbers for the country during the coronavirus pandemic.

Decisions were announced on travel restrictions for the next two weeks, starting on Sunday. Interior Minister Eduardo Cabrita said that travel will only be allowed if there are special reasons.

One reason for the stricter measures is that the new variant of the virus, first discovered in the UK, has spread in Portugal.

”"Had we known about the new variant earlier, we would certainly have made a different decision before the Christmas holidays," says Prime Minister António Costa.

Source: TT