Portugal to return to "state of emergency" against COVID-19
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E-mail Xinhua, November 7, 2020
LISBON, Nov. 6 (Xinhua) -- Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa declared on Friday the return of the country to a "state of emergency" for 15 days from Nov. 9 to Nov. 23 to contain the COVID-19 pandemic.
"I just signed the decree on the second state of emergency in the course of the pandemic that has lasted for eight months and which we know can go on for some more," the president said in a statement to the national broadcast on radio and television.
Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa had asked the president this week to declare a state of emergency, an initiative that was approved by Parliament on Friday afternoon.
The state of emergency is the highest stage of civil protection in Portugal. It had been in force between March 19 and May 2 of this year, with two consecutive renewals, for a total of 45 days, allowing the restriction of freedom of movement and the use of private-sector health facilities.
The current emergency decree says that necessary restrictions may be imposed by public authorities to reduce the risk of contagion and implement measures to prevent and combat the epidemic, especially in municipalities with a higher level of risk.
There will be no compulsory confinement, but travel "justified for professional activities, for health care, assistance to third parties, attending classes and supplying goods and services" will be allowed, as well as a movement "for other reasons" as specified by the government.
On Saturday, the Council of Ministers of the Portuguese executive will meet to define the details and specify the restrictions and exceptions that will be imposed in the country starting next week.
As the world is struggling to control the pandemic, countries across the globe -- among them Germany, 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 Nov. 3, there were 202 COVID-19 candidate vaccines being developed worldwide, and 47 of them were in clinical trials. Enditem
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