Lisbon, Nov 1 (IANS): Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa, after seven hours of a meeting of the Council of Ministers, announced new restrictive measures to contain the increase of COVID-19 cases in the country, where the "state of calamity" will remain until November 15.

Costa said the new measures will be applied from November 4 in 121 municipalities where there are more than 240 cases per 100,000 inhabitants for the past 14 days, Xinhua news agency reported.

"If we have nothing to do, we must stay at home," said the Prime Minister on Saturday, adding that exceptions will be for shopping, physical activity, or providing assistance to the elderly and disabled people.

All commercial establishments and services, as well as shopping centers, must close at 10 p.m., and restaurants can allow a maximum of six people per table (except family groups) until the limit of 10.30 p.m.

In the 121 municipalities considered "risk areas," it is forbidden to hold fairs, celebrations, and other events that involve more than five people, unless they are from the same family.

"Teleworking becomes mandatory, unless there is a reasoned opposition from the worker and under the terms of teleworking regulations, which we already have in mind at the social consultation and which will shortly come into force," added the prime minister.

As the world is struggling to contain the pandemic, countries including France, China, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States are racing to find a vaccine.

According to the website of the World Health Organization, as of October 29, there were 201 COVID-19 candidate vaccines being developed worldwide, and 45 of them were in clinical trials.