Month: April 2020

The President of the Republic scheduled for tonight, at 8 pm, a declaration to the country following its third decree of state of emergency. He began the intervention by saying: “I hope this is the last state of emergency”.

After, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa explained the three reasons for having once again declared a state of emergency. “Our task in nursing homes has not wasted a minute but it needs some more time,” he said.

The President then went on to say that Portugal “is the third country in Europe that tests the most” and even that did not increase the numbers of infected people. “But we must continue to stabilize the daily number of hospitalizations, in order to ensure that our SNS will be in a position to respond” to the possible outbreak in the event of increased social contacts.

The “third and most relevant” reason has to do with the declaration of the state of emergency itself, which, according to the President, gives the Government time and space to study and prepare for the gradual opening of society and the economy after the end of April”, taking into account time, means, territory, areas and sectors.

Marcelo quoted the people – “We don’t want to die on the beach” – to say that one cannot exchange what has already been achieved for a temptation. And he ended the 12-minute statement with a sentence: “If this is a miracle, the miracle is called Portugal”.

The Assembly of the Republic approved a new extension of the state of emergency until May 2 with the votes in favour of PS, PSD, CDS, PAN, BE, the abstentions of PEV and André Ventura, of Chega, and the votes against of the PCP, from deputy João Cotrim Figueiredo, from the Liberal Initiative, and from non-registered deputy Joacine Katar Moreira.

The decree proposed by the President of the Republic provides for the possibility of a “gradual, phased or alternate opening of services, companies or commercial establishments”.

In the explanatory memorandum to the decree, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa considers that the “gradual reactivation” may be achieved “with possible openings with adapted operating hours, by sectors of activity, by size of the company in terms of employment, the area of the commercial establishment or geographical location, with adequate monitoring “.

The President of the Republic stresses, however, that for this to be possible, “it is necessary that epidemiological data continue to show a decrease in the spread of the virus, that the response capacity of the National Health Service continues to be assured and that the testing capacity is robust and that monitoring is convenient”.

After the partial suspension of the “right to move and settle anywhere in the national territory” being imposed in the first two declarations of state of emergency, the third decree determines that these restrictions imposed by the authorities may be “symmetrical or asymmetric, namely in relation to people and age groups or places of residence, which, without discriminatory nature, are appropriate to the epidemiological situation and justified by the need to reduce the risk of contagion and implement measures to prevent and combat the epidemic “.

It is up to the Government to present the measures that materialize the guidelines contained in the decree.

The firefighting device has 11,827 operational personnel this year, more than 500 personnel compared to 2019, supported by 2,664 land and 60 air means, said the Secretary of State for Internal Administration today .

“In the maximum phase of commitment of the device, we even have an increase of about 500 operational compared to the numbers of 2019, that is, we will have 11,827 operational”, revealed Patrícia Gaspar, in the scope of a parliamentary hearing, at the request of the PAN, for provide clarification on land clearing and fire prevention in this exceptional period of covid-19.

The approximately 12,000 operatives include firefighters, forest sappers, the Special Civil Protection Force, the Public Security Police (PSP) and the Republican National Guard (GNR), which will be supported by 2,664 land and 60 air assets that integrate the combat device. forest fires.

Despite the covid-19 pandemic, “at this moment, there is no estimate of a substantial cut in the number of personnel available for response actions,” said the official, referring that the mechanisms for prevention and support for operational decision have been strengthened and the operating device is stabilized.

“We have the main forces that contribute to this operational issue, so the elements that have been confined or affected, and some of them have already returned to service, have not affected the operation of these forces. If everything remains in this pattern, it is not estimated, at this stage, that there may be a significant impact on our capacity in terms of prevention and combat “, reinforced Patrícia Gaspar.

In view of the uncertainty of the evolution of the pandemic in Portugal, the priority is to “bet as much as possible on surveillance”, in the sense of “making the initial attack as strong as possible” in case of fire, coordinating efforts in the most critical areas, including 1,114 parishes identified this year with high fire risk, and at the most critical moments in terms of weather conditions.

“We have to take care of the worst possible scenario, that is, we will hope for the best, preparing for the worst,” said the head of the Internal Administration portfolio.

As a novelty, this year there will be “a national operational directive for surveillance, under the responsibility of GNR, which is in the final approval phase”, said the minister, explaining that the idea is “to reinforce the context of surveillance in order to bridge or strengthen any problems that may be detected “.

“No matter how much we work on mitigation, planning and prevention, zero risk does not exist, it will never exist”, warned Patrícia Gaspar, defending that one can never let one’s guard down against the risk of forest fires, because “this is going to be a war and a permanent struggle, which will have to be carried out every year “, regardless of the pandemic.

Ensuring permanent monitoring of the entire device, the Secretary of State said that this year, until April 14, there were 681 occurrences of fires, compared to the average of 2,760 occurrences recorded in the last decade for this period, and 747 hectares of burnt forest, for an average of 7,233 hectares.

“This year, the situation will be, for now, not worrying”, considered the minister, adding that these are numbers that do not satisfy, but “confer some tranquility”.

As for fuel management, the Institute for the Conservation of Nature and Forests (ICNF) has already carried out 682 hectares of the 3,500 planned for this year and the installation of the fuel management and interruption bands of the primary network has been ensured on 674 hectares of the planned 2,468 .

In addition, fuel management actions are underway with the use of grazing, 367 hectares of controlled fire were carried out and 216 forested paths were made out of the 1,000 planned this year.

Regarding the pilot projects for fire prevention in protected areas, of the 2,000 hectares planned for 2019 and 2020, 1,130 hectares have already been secured, according to data provided by the Secretary of State for Internal Administration.

Lisbon, 16 April 2020 (Lusa) – The draft decree of the President of the Republic that extends the state of emergency until May 2 provides for the possibility of a “gradual, phased or alternate opening of services, companies or commercial establishments”.

In the explanatory memorandum of the diploma he sent today to the Assembly of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa points out that, “due to the evolution of the data and considering the experience in other European countries, the possibility of future gradual, phased reactivation is now foreseen, alternating and differentiated services, companies and establishments “.

According to the head of state, this “gradual reactivation” may take place “with possible openings with adapted operating hours, by sectors of activity, by size of the company in terms of employment, the area of ​​the commercial establishment or its geographical location, with adequate monitoring “.

In the item of the diploma referring to the partial suspension of the exercise of the right to property and private economic initiative, it is read that “different criteria can be defined, namely with possible openings with operating hours adapted, by activity sectors, by company size in terms of employment, the area of ​​the establishment or its geographical location, for the gradual, phased or alternate opening of services, companies or commercial establishments “.

UPDATES 1300 HRS

Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa has already sent the third declaration of the state of emergency to Parliament, which restores some labour rights and allows for the celebration of the 1st of May, although with restrictions.

This third renewal of the state of emergency, to be approved by Parliament, will be in force until May 2nd.

In this third decree of the state of emergency, in which the end of mandatory confinement begins to be foreseen, it is established that people’s mobility restrictions may be greater or less depending on the age or place of residence, which, “without discriminatory nature, are appropriate to the epidemiological situation and justified by the need to reduce the risk of contagion and implement measures to prevent and combat the epidemic”.

Thus, the possibility of compulsory confinement continues to be foreseen, as well as the establishment of sanitary fences, but mobility restrictions are beginning to lift, which are no longer justified by professional activity, the need for medical care or assistance to third parties. To what extent and for what reasons will be decided by the Government.

As for the restrictions on the right to the protection of personal data, everything remains as it was: the only limits imposed are for the Directorate-General for Health to send messages related to the pandemic via mobile phone to all citizens. No other restrictions were contemplated to allow any form of screening for infected or suspect persons.

In this third phase of the state of emergency, economic activities are also beginning to see an opening, albeit with different criteria. The decree provides that there may be “adapted operating hours, by sectors of activity, by size of the company in terms of employment, the area of the establishment or its geographical location”, for the “gradual, phased or alternate opening of services, companies or commercial establishments ”.

The presidential decree also provides for the possibility of requesting services and using movable or immovable property, health care units, commercial and industrial establishments, companies and other production units, if deemed necessary by the authorities.

It is also foreseen that any company may be forced to open, close or change its activity, changing the quantity, nature or price of goods produced and traded, providing as well that these goods may be acquired by the State by direct agreement.

The possibility of restrictions on dismissals, price control and combating speculation or hoarding of certain products or materials is maintained. The right to restore the financial balance of concessions or services due to a breach in the use of concessioned goods resulting from the measures adopted in the context of the state of emergency also remains limited.

Workers’ rights are practically unchanged from previous decrees, with the suspension of the right to strike remaining when compromising “essential” services or structures. The right to participate in the drafting of labour legislation, which was suspended, is now limited only “insofar as the exercise of such right may represent a delay in the entry into force of urgent legislative measures”.

Any act of active or passive resistance exclusively directed to legitimate orders issued by the competent public authorities in execution of the present state of emergency is also prevented, and the perpetrators may incur, under the terms of the law, a crime of disobedience.

The Council of Ministers are meeting to determine the new measures of the state of emergency, which are not expected to be very different from those that were already in force, and there may be such nuances with regard to the sectors of activity. Parliament will also debate and approve the new state of emergency decree this afternoon.

 

 

 

 The President of the Republic decides today, with the opinion of the Government, on the extension of the state of emergency for a new period of 15 days, which in the afternoon will be debated and voted on in parliament.

Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa made it known last Friday that he intended to renew once again the state of emergency, which has prevailed in Portugal since March 19, arguing that you cannot “play in service” or “let your guard down” in combat to the spread of covid-19.

“My conviction has been formed – as you know, it is an initiative of the President of the Republic – regarding the renewal of the state of emergency,” he told reporters at the time. On Wednesday, after listening to the experts, he confirmed that “everything is heading” for that decision.

“But this renewal may mean that, in some facets, it means not reducing the April requirement, not in relation to the circulation of people, but pointing now to what will be the reality of May”, admitted the head of state, considering that the next month may already be “a transition” to a “progressive resumption of social and economic life”.

According to the Constitution, it is up to the President of the Republic to declare a state of emergency, but this decision depends on the hearing of the Government and the authorization of the parliament, and cannot be in force for more than 15 days, without prejudice to possible renewals with the same limit. temporal.

The current period of state of emergency is the second decreed by Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and ends at 23:59 this Friday, April 17th. If it is renewed for 15 days, it will remain in effect from April 18 until May 2.

PS, PSD, BE, CDS-PP and PAN voted in favor of the two requests for authorization from the President of the Republic to declare a state of emergency.

The first declaration of the state of emergency, a month ago, unprecedented in democracy, was approved by the parliament without votes against, with abstentions from PCP, ENP, Liberal Initiative and from the non-registered deputy Joacine Katar Moreira.

The renewal of the state of emergency, two weeks ago, had a vote against, by the sole deputy of the Liberal Initiative, João Cotrim de Figueiredo, and had abstentions from PCP, ENP, Chega and Joacine Katar Moreira.

As for the terms under which a third period of state of emergency will take place, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa said last Friday that it was “too early to say what the final version” would be, but that he considered that it was not necessary to have “restrictions as restrictive as those of the Easter “, a time when families usually gather together.

The meeting of the Council of Ministers at which the proposal for a decree by the President of the Republic will be considered is scheduled for 09:30 today at Palácio da Ajuda, in Lisbon, and the debate in the Assembly of the Republic on the request for authorization to renew the state of emergency is scheduled for 15:30.

With the state of emergency decreed by the President of the Republic, the rights to travel and settle anywhere in the national territory, as well as international circulation, property and private economic initiative, workers’ rights, assembly and demonstration are partially suspended , freedom of worship in its collective dimension, freedom to teach and learn, protection of personal data and acts of resistance to authorities in execution of the rules adopted in this exception framework are prevented.

The Government, which is responsible for regulating the application of the state of emergency, imposed the suspension of a set of activities and the “mandatory confinement” for patients with covid-19 and infected with the new coronavirus, a “special duty of protection” for over 70 years old and people considered at risk, because they are immunosuppressed or have other pathologies, and a “general duty of home care” for the rest of the population.

Under the state of emergency, the executive has adopted a set of extraordinary and urgent measures to respond to the epidemiological situation of covid-19.

The President of the Republic left the meeting with experts this afternoon at Infarmed saying that a light is beginning to be seen at the end of the tunnel. “Not only does it exist, but you start to see the light at the end of the tunnel,” he said, then speaking of various lights according to the different realities. Even so, “everything is moving towards a third state of emergency to be decreed, pointing to the reality of May”, he assumed, adding that there will be another meeting on April 28 to help make future decisions.

At the end of the meeting, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa explained that this session was longer because it had more speakers, including foreigners, and presented the three central conclusions.

1) “The process continues to follow a positive evolution in two aspects: in the growth of the virus’s projection in Portuguese society there is a slowdown that may seem slow but that is consistent. There is a reduction in the value of what can be called the spread of the virus. Initially it did not reach two Portuguese (each infected infected 1.8 people) and now the values have been falling in all territorial areas, situated far below. ”

2) “We are in the month of April. I said here a week ago that it is necessary to continue to set the example that the Portuguese have set more intensely during Easter, but more regularly and consistently until the end of April. We must continue to do what has been done. ”

3) “If April goes well, this allows us to look at May as an already different month, of progressive transition. If April goes as we hope, in May the Portuguese will start to get used to the idea of socializing with the reality of a virus that has been overcome and that becomes a fact of daily life. It is a transition that will have to be made with caution, with the same attitudes that the Portuguese have taken seriously, of health protection, of distancing from interacting with others, but with a progressive resumption of social and economic life. If Abril goes well – and it is, it will – that allows May to start being progressively different. ”

The Prime Minister said today that the reopening of economic activity must be prudent and with conditions of trust in society and defended that in Portugal the restrictions on industry were less than in other countries.

António Costa spoke to journalists at the end of the meeting with epidemiologists, at Infarmed, in Lisbon, about the evolution of the covid-19 pandemic in Portugal, in which he reiterated that citizens in general must make this April “a great effort” to combat the spread of the new coronavirus.

“We must always be prudent, progressive and always measure the consequences of decisions so as not to take risks. We must simultaneously create conditions of trust in society and conditions so that, with responsibility, we can decide to reopen restaurants, neighborhood shops or the supermarkets “, declared the Prime Minister.

António Costa tried to highlight the importance of the social trust factor in the reopening process, claiming that it can even be decided that the restaurants reopen, but then, “if people are not confident, they also don’t go to restaurants”.

Asked once again about the Government’s timetable to start lifting restrictions on the movement of people and economic activity, the executive’s leader again claimed that “results cannot be anticipated” in terms of fighting the pandemic.

“Serenely, without anxieties, we have to wait until the end of the month, the 28th, to return to see what the evaluation is,” he said, in an allusion to the next meeting with an epidemiologist at Infarmed, before leaving a repair.

“Portugal has not had the same degree of restriction as other countries and, with regard to industry, with the exception of Ovar, no restrictions have been imposed on the operation of industrial units, in addition to the need to comply with safety and security standards. of social withdrawal. Many stopped their activity, either because the supply chain had been interrupted, or because there was a collapse in demand, “he claimed.

At this point, the Prime Minister stressed that the removal of restrictions “will have to be done in a gradual and progressive way”.

“Each time we remove a restriction measure, without treatment and without a vaccine, the number of contagions will increase. We must always measure whether, when this risk of increased contamination is verified, it is controllable or not. moment we can start to withdraw the measures “, he added.

Lisbon, April 13^th 2020 (Lusa) – The Directorate-General for Health today endorsed the use of masks by those who remain in enclosed, indoor spaces with several people, as an additional protection measure alongside social distancing and hand hygiene.

The conditions for the use of the various types of masks were published in a paper today, in which the Directorate-General for Health (DGS) reviewed guidelines issued previously.

People over 65, with chronic diseases and immunosuppressive conditions, should wear surgical masks whenever they leave home, according to guidance from the DGS.

In addition to all health professionals, people with respiratory symptoms or those who enter health institutions should also wear these masks.

Invoking the Principle of Public Health Precaution, DGS today affirms that “the use of masks by everyone who is in enclosed, indoor spaces with multiple other people should be considered as an additional protection measure in addition to social distancing and hand hygiene ”.

It also reiterates that the effectiveness of the widespread use of masks by the community in preventing infection by the new coronavirus “has not been proven”. However, he admits that, in the face of the emergence of a new disease, which we are learning more about every day, it is agreed, without extensive scientific evidence, that the wearing of masks can help to prevent the spread of the virus, along with other measures already in place.

As the Minister of Health, Marta Temido, said at today’s press conference, the use of surgical masks and other personal protective equipment is recommended for some professional groups: security and military forces, firefighters, distributors of essential goods to the home, workers in social solidarity institutions, homes and integrated care network, funeral directors and professionals who provide services to the public, where social distance is not guaranteed.

DGS stresses that the sensible use of masks by the population should not result in the neglecting of the other fundamental measures already in place, such as social distancing and hand hygiene.

According to DGS, the use of masks by the population is “an act of altruism”, since those who use it not only protect themselves but also contribute to the protection of others.

It also recognizes that the use of masks by the population should not “affect the supply of masks to patients and health professionals”, as these are the priority groups for the use of surgical masks.

“According to ECDC, there is no direct scientific evidence that would allow a recommendation for or against the use of non-surgical or community masks by the population,” reads the document signed by the Director-General of health, Graça Freitas.

The health minister said today that non-surgical masks can be used by the population in enclosed spaces and with a high number of people, such as supermarkets and public transport.

“In accordance with the basic principle of public health protection and in view of the absence of adverse effects associated with the use of a mask, its use can be considered by anyone in enclosed indoor spaces where there are a high number of people,” said Marta Temido, giving as an example supermarkets, pharmacies, shops or commercial establishments and public transport.

At the daily press conference held at the Directorate-General for Health (DGS), the minister stressed that the use of masks in the community constitutes “an additional and supplementary measure” to those that already exist, such as social distancing and hand washing.

The minister had advised that today a rule would be published by the DGS that complies with European rules on the use of non-surgical masks, also known as “social or community masks”.

Marta Temido stressed that the issue of masks is “completely aligned” with the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, which on April 8^th presented a set of arguments on the use of this equipment.

The minister stressed that the social masks, which can be made of cotton or other textile fabric, will be suggested to the population when the country returns to normality.

He stated that when life is able to be more ‘normal’ i.e. outside of a state of emergency, in situations which call for the confinement and restriction during essential activities, and in which people are in enclosed spaces, the use of the such social masks should be considered.

Speaking at the daily press conference to provide updated information on the Covid-19 pandemic, Marta Temido explained that there are three types of masks: FFP respirators for health professionals (models 2 and 3), surgical masks that prevent the spread of infections and non-surgical or social masks.

According to the minister, surgical masks should be worn by people with symptoms of Covid-19 and by the most vulnerable, as well as professionals from more exposed groups such as firefighters, police and funeral service workers and stores.

Marta Temido stated that the non-surgical masks are not certified devices, do not comply with health standards and can be made of different materials, such as cotton or textile.

 

“The coronavirus vaccine will not exist before the end of the next school year.” The Prime Minister, António Costa, assured this Tuesday 14th April, in an interview with Rádio Observador, that coexistence with the coronavirus will continue for many months and therefore, despite maintaining optimism, the Prime Minister also stresses the caution required and seriousness of this virus.

This interview was held on the day that the third period of classes starts in a distance learning model. Responding to journalists’ questions, the Prime Minister highlighted several aspects of this new modality without classroom activities and said it was important that “next school year” the country must be prepared for a situation like this, so that, at that time, there is no need to “improvise like now”.

During this conversation, António Costa also addressed the evolution of the pandemic and the measures adopted by the Government in the face of the coronavirus outbreak. Asked about the inspection that has been carried out, the Prime Minister replied that it is not necessary to “inspect” the Portuguese at all. “We don’t live in a police state where we have to inspect each other,” he said.

For António Costa, the restrictive measures to combat Covid-19 decreed by the Government should only be lifted when the risk of contagion is “controlled”. The Prime Minister adds that he knows that until that control comes, there must be a “gradual and progressive” process.

The prime minister therefore considered that it is still too early for the country to start lifting measures to restrict circulation because of Covid-19, but accepted removing restrictions on the collective rights of workers.

Asked if there is a possibility that some of the measures to restrict the circulation of citizens will begin to be raised as of Friday, confirming the scenario of the country renewing the state of emergency for the second time, the prime minister replied: ” Today is early “.

At a time when the State of Emergency in Portugal is still active, António Costa made a positive assessment of the measures adopted in the Easter period and informs that there was no “an abnormal number” of non-compliance with the rules. Asked about maintaining restrictions for older people and at-risk groups, Costa admitted that the consequences for these populations are “radically different”.

Asserting that it is important to maintain the measures of isolation and distancing until there is a vaccine or an unequivocal treatment for Covid-19, the prime minister explains that “we are going to have a country with multiple speeds: different regions, people with different risk”.

Regarding the process of a predictable renewal of the state of emergency, the Prime Minister predicts that “some institutional restrictions on collective workers’ rights are likely to be eliminated”.

“Regarding what are the limitations on circulation and the set of activities, I do not foresee any changes for now,” he said.

The prime minister also defended that “now is not the time to give the wrong signal by starting to ease the measures”.

Addressing the issue of the elderly, for whom “we establish a duty of social protection, because they are exposed to a special risk because they are more fragile and can be contaminated, so their contamination can have more serious causes”, the Prime Minister stressed the importance of isolating those who are contaminated.

The prime minister rejected “ghettos” and gave the example of his mother, who has fulfilled social isolation. “My mother has always been the most undisciplined person I have ever met, and always a lover of freedom, and has now been the most disciplined person because she says she is winning years of life there. She is not in a ghetto, she is winning years and we have a special duty to protect our elderly if we want to be a decent society. It is not about ghettoizing, it is about protecting, “he said.