Municipality guarantees 100 thousand free tests for a safe Christmas that already shines

The Municipality’s priority is to guarantee that the Christmas season is safe in the city and, at the same time, to contribute so that economic activity remains strong. Imbued with this spirit, Porto City Hall will provide 100 thousand free tests for the entire population so that the magic of Christmas and public health are the brightest stars of the season.

“Porto City Hall decided, effective immediately, to make available 100 thousand antigen tests, which will be installed in several crucial points in the city so that people can take free tests, regardless of those who are already offered in pharmacies”, announced this Wednesday Rui Moreira. The investment of the Municipality amounts to one million euros.

The mayor of Porto spoke with the journalists before the concert by Bárbara Tinoco, who brought families together in Super Bock Arena – Pavilhão Rosa Mota. Surrounded by the president of the Association of Traders, Joel Azevedo, and the president of the Association of Bars and Restaurants Movida, Miguel Camões, Rui Moreira believes that this action –in force until the end of the year – will contribute “to economic activities in the city continue as normal as possible” since, once the antigen tests performed, “during the following 48 hours people can move freely in all places where they are required.”

After having announced the action to the Minister of Health, “who was very pleased with the solution we found”, says the mayor, the municipality is making contacts with labs and the Red Cross to “set up a large-scale logistics operation” to “understand how many centres we will have in the city” and the tests will be “available within a couple of days”.

On the day the city was lit up with Christmas lights and the traditional tree on Avenida dos Aliados, Rui Moreira underscored the importance of “beginning our Christmas activities in an absolutely controlled manner”.

“Right now, the big challenge is that, with the new actions that were announced by the Government, despite everything, the impact on our economy, on the city’s economy, is not as great as it could be”, defended the mayor, also underlining the impact on public health, hence the execution of activities and concerts for children and families indoors, to avoid big concentrations.

End of the Year without fireworks but with GNR

Also, on New Year’s Eve the celebrations will be contained. Porto’s mayor advanced that “all street celebrations on New Year’s Eve are cancelled, including the fireworks”.

The big New Year’s Eve party that attracts thousands of people to the city will not be possible in the usual way, but the municipality found another solution. Thus, on December 30, Super Bock Arena – Pavilhão Rosa Mota hosts GNR, from Porto, a free concert for the holders of Porto Card. Anyone wishing to attend the show must collect the ticket in advance and present the vaccination certificate.

“We expected to have a big concert at Queimódromo”, confessed Rui Moreira. However, “the circumstances being what they are, we have to adjust and avoid gatherings on the streets.”