Portugal begins easing Covid restrictions and sets sights on ‘total freedom’

A tram conductor wearing a face mask drives through Lisbon’s Graca neighbourhood (Armando Franca/AP)

Portugal is beginning its journey to what the country’s prime minister calls “total freedom”, with a government decision to start winding down Covid-19 pandemic restrictions ahead of a forecast 70% of people being fully vaccinated by the end of this summer.

The Health Ministry says around 5.4 million people, or 52% of the target population of people over the age of 16, are fully vaccinated.