According to the Government, this restrictive regime, now extended, can be revised "at any time, depending on the evolution of the epidemiological situation".

The executive justifies the extension with the trend of growth in the number of covid-19 cases in recent weeks in Portugal and with the current epidemiological evolution. "It is therefore important to ensure the appropriate regime of authorized air traffic in mainland Portugal, in view of the current epidemiological context", justifies the executive in the diploma.

Air traffic to and from Portugal on all flights to and from the countries of the European Union will continue to be authorized, as well as from countries associated with the Schengen Area (Liechtenstein, Norway, Iceland and Switzerland) and the United Kingdom, flights to support the return of nationals or with residence permits, as well as flights to and from countries outside the European Union or which are not countries associated with the Schengen Area, exclusively for essential travel.

But passengers on these essential flights, with the exception of passengers in transit who do not require them to leave airport facilities, must present, before boarding, proof of laboratory testing (RT-PCR) to screen for SARS-CoV-2 infection, with a negative result, carried out in the 72 hours prior to the time of boarding, "without which they will not be able to board".

The diploma also continues to allow flights of a humanitarian nature, which have been recognized by the competent departments of the government of foreign affairs and the competent authorities in the field of civil aviation and flights intended to allow the return to their countries of foreign citizens who are in Portugal, provided that such flights are promoted by the competent authorities of such countries , subject to prior request and agreement, and in compliance with the principle of reciprocity.