Lisbon to open biggest vaccination site yet amid COVID-19 surge

Preparations underway for the opening of the biggest coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccination center in Lisbon, Portugal, November 30, 2021. REUTERS/Pedro Nunes

LISBON (Reuters) - Portugal will open its biggest vaccination centre yet on Wednesday as a surge in COVID-19 infections forced authorities to impose new restrictions to stop the spread, including strict travel curbs to enter the country by air.

Boasting an 87% vaccination rate, one of the world's highest, Portugal has seen its infection rate and daily cases rise sharply over the past month, although the rate remains below levels seen in countries like Austria or Belgium.