PM António Costa has been described as ‘refusing to anticipate new measures to contain the pandemic’, which is showing an uptick in infections despite Portugal’s high level of vaccinations. Challenged by journalists today at a congress of economists in Lisbon, he said “today is not the day to speak”. Mr Costa is due to meet with minority parties Iniciativa Liberal, Chega, PEV, PAN, CDS-PP, PCP and Bloco de Esquerda later and will only outline new measures for the country following the Council of Ministers on Thursday. President Marcelo had already ruled out any kind of ‘confinement’, saying the situation in the country today is vastly different to what it was a year ago (pre-vaccine rollout).