Seeking 'peace of mind', Lisbonites rush for COVID-19 tests before Christmas

People wait in line on the day before Christmas eve to do tests for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Martim Moniz square, Lisbon, Portugal, December 23, 2021. REUTERS/Pedro Nunes

LISBON (Reuters) - Vitor Chitas started queuing at 6 a.m. on Christmas Eve for a COVID-19 test before meeting up with loved ones later on Friday amid a fresh surge in infections in Portugal.

The 66-year-old was at the front of a long queue that snaked around Lisbon's Campo Pequeno bullring near to the testing centre, whose doors only opened at 9 a.m.