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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.

On 26 March, the Administração Regional de Saúde do Algarve- known as the ARS (The Regional Health Administration for the Algarve) opened 3 COVID-19 Dedicated Areas (ADC-Community) for primary health care- one in each of the Health Centres (Portimão, Olhão and Tavira); this was triggered by the start of Portugal’s start of the pandemic mitigation phase. In addition to the opening of the ADC–Community, ARS Algarve, in conjunction with the agreed laboratories of the region, created a network of 13 COVID-19 collection stations, distributed throughout the Algarve and which will serve to carry out the tests prescribed in the ADC-Community/Health Centres and via SNS24.

These areas, created in the Health Centres of Portimão, Olhão and Tavira, are only intended to assist health service users suspected of infection by SARS-CoV-2, by teams consisting of Doctors, Nurses, Senior Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technicians, Senior Social Service Technicians, Operational Assistants, Administrative and cleaning teams.

The ADC-Community of Health Centres consist of observation rooms, a reception and a waiting area and toilet facilities separate from other users and will operate in a completely separate space from the care of patients who do not present symptoms of COVID-19.

In the University Hospital Centre of the Algarve there are already two Dedicated Areas COVID-19 (ADC – Emergency Service), 24 hours a day, together with the emergency services of the hospital unit at Faro and Portimão.

 

ARS ALGARVE REITERATES THE IMPORTANCE OF PEOPLE WHO PRESENT RESPIRATORY SYMPTOMS OR FEVER, BEFORE MOVING TO THESE AREAS DEDICATED TO COVID-19, THAT THEY MUST IN THE FIRST INSTANCE CONTACT SNS24 (808 24 24 24) WHO, AFTER EVALUATION, WILL REFER THEM TO THE MOST APPROPRIATE HEALTH SERVICE.

ARS Algarve, in conjunction with the 3 ACeS (Barlavento, Central e Sotavento), will progressively expand, according to the needs, the number of ADC – Community, in the main Health Centres of the Region.

In addition to the opening of ADC – Community in Primary Health Care, ARS Algarve, in conjunction with the partner laboratories of the region, has set up a network of 13 covid-19 collection stations, distributed throughout the Algarve and these will serve to carry out the tests prescribed in the ADC-Community/Health Centres and through the SNS24.

In the context of the reorganisation of delivery of urgent care, in this phase of ongoing mitigation we also inform you that the 4 Serviços de Urgência Básica – SUB (Basic Emergency Services)  of the University Hospital Centre of the Algarve, ( Lagos, Loulé, Albufeira and Vila Real de Santo António ) are operating exclusively for the care of non-COVID-19 patients, with the aim of ensuring the necessary access and safety in the treatment and provision of health care to the entire population.

 

Hours of service of the Dedicated Areas COVID -19 (ADC) Community in Health Centres

(Note the times may be extended, if justified)

Agrupamento de Centros de Saúde (ACeS) Barlavento

 

Área Dedicada COVID -19 | Comunidade no Centro de Saúde de Portimão

Morada: Rua Manuel Dias Barão, Sítio de São Sebastião – 8500-723 Portimão

Horário: Todos os dias úteis, fins de semana e feriados:  8h às 20h

 

Agrupamento de Centros de Saúde (ACeS) Central  

 

Área Dedicada COVID -19 |Comunidade no Centro de Saúde de Olhão

Morada: Rua Antero Nobre – 8700-240 Olhão

Horário: De segunda a sexta-feira: 8h às 20h | Aos fins de semana: 9h às 18h

 

Agrupamento de Centros de Saúde (ACeS) Sotavento

 

Área Dedicada COVID -19 |Comunidade no Centro de Saúde de Tavira                                                           

Morada: Estrada de Santa Luzia, Sítio da Foz, Santa Luzia – 8800-534 Tavira

Horário: De segunda à sexta-feira: 8h às 20h |Sábados, domingos e feriados das 9h às 17 h

Consultar: Rede de postos de colheita de apoio específico às Áreas Dedicadas COVID-19 nos Cuidados de Saúde Primários (ADC-Comunidade) do Algarve (atualizado a 7 de abril de 2020)

 

Spain – Ministry of Interior

Madrid, 04/11/2020

The extension will run from Sunday 12^th April to Saturday, April 25 and is subject to new extensions if necessary.

Controls at the borders with France and Portugal are additional to the restriction of passenger access established at the external borders of Spain in ports and airports and to the temporary closure of land posts in the cities of Ceuta and Melilla

The Spanish Government has decreed the extension by another 14 days of the reestablishment of the controls in the terrestrial borders with France and Portugal. This extension, decreed by an order signed by the Spanish Minister of the Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, will enter into force at midnight between today, Saturday and Sunday morning and will be in force until midnight on Saturday, April 25, although it is subject to new extensions in case of need.

The reestablishment of controls at Spain’s internal borders with France and Portugal came into force on March 17 within the framework of the containment measures of COVID-19 and with the aim of protecting the health and safety of citizens and containing the coronavirus.

These controls only allow access to national territory to Spanish citizens; people residing in Spain; cross-border workers and those who prove, documentary, causes of force majeure or a situation of need. The restriction does not apply to the transport of goods in order to ensure the continuity of economic activity and to preserve the supply chain.

The measure also does not affect foreign personnel accredited as a member of diplomatic missions, consular offices and international organizations located in Spain, provided that they are displacements linked to the performance of official functions.

The extension is part of the activation of article 28 of the Schengen Borders Code, which allows for the temporary restoration of controls at internal borders in situations such as the current one.

EXTERNAL BORDERS

The reestablishment of controls at the borders with France and Portugal is in addition to the restriction of passenger access across Spain’s external borders at ports and airports. This measure at the external borders entered into force on March 23 and remains in force.

Through the external borders in ports and airports, access is only allowed, in addition to Spaniards and residents in Spain, to:

1. a) Residents of the European Union or Schengen Associated States, who go directly to their place of residence.
2. b) Holders of a long-term visa issued by a Member State or Schengen Associated State who apply to it.
3. c) Cross-border workers.
4. d) Healthcare or elderly care professionals who go to carry out their work activity.
5. e) Personnel dedicated to the transport of goods, in the exercise of their work activity and the flight personnel necessary to carry out commercial air transport activities.
6. f) Diplomatic, consular, international organizations, military personnel and members of humanitarian organizations, in the exercise of their functions.
7. g) People traveling for imperative family reasons duly accredited.
8. h) Persons who document documentary reasons of force majeure or situation of need, or whose entry is permitted for humanitarian reasons.

On March 23, the temporary closure of the land posts enabled for the entry and exit of Spain through the cities of Ceuta and Melilla was also established.

Neither of the two measures, the one relating to the borders with France and Portugal and the one referring to the external borders in ports and airports, is applicable at the land border with Andorra or at the checkpoint for persons with the territory of Gibraltar, without prejudice to the possibility of carrying out police controls in its vicinity to verify compliance with the provisions of article 7 of the Royal Decree on the state of alarm, regarding the limitation of movements.

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Lisbon, 10 Apr 2020 (Lusa) – Infarmed has asked the pharmaceutical industry to increase production of the medicines, most used in the context of the pandemic, by 20% and two in particular, which have not been recommended therapeutically against covid-19, but are in use for the most severe patients.

At the daily press conference at the Direção-Geral da Saúde DGS (The Portuguese Health Authority), Rui Ivo, the president of Infarmed (the National Authority for Medicine and Health Products),  indicated that a request had been made to the pharmaceutical industry to increase the production of medicines as has happened in other European countries and that this request had been reciprocated.

“The increase requested is that for those medicines that can be more used in this context, we increase stocks by 20%. Additionally, we also want to create some strength in terms of strategic and additional reserves, to be stored centrally”, said Rui Ivo.

The president of Infarmed specified that the issue of strengthening the strategic reserve focuses mainly on two drugs, which are for now being used “with caution”, based on the available scientific evidence and associated caution.

The drugs concerned are hydroxychloroquine and the combination of two anti-retrovirals: Lopinavir and Ritonavir.

“We are even making these two drugs available, in a centralised way, according to when the hospitals indicate a need, namely for those that are treating the most serious cases; it is in those cases that they can be used, according to individual requests, as we are talking about drugs that are not approved for these clinical signs. It will always have to be the doctor who takes this initiative.” said Rui Ivo.

The president of Infarmed also referred to a decree issued on Thursday, which aims to avoid unnecessary trips, especially by chronically ill patients to health centres to renew prescriptions, and an exceptional system of electronic prescription and extension of the validity of prescriptions for the duration of the emergency period was created.

Lisbon, April 10th, 2020 (Lusa) – The President of the Republic today disapproved of “false news” and “unjustified alarmism” about the exceptional regime of pardons and partial pardon of sentences, arguing that attention should not be distracted from this matter and the Portuguese people should indeed be aware of the facts.

In a statement at the Palace of Belém, in Lisbon, after which he answered questions from journalists, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa reiterated that this exceptional regime, which came into force on Thursday, “does not cover homicides or sexual crimes of all kinds “, or “crimes against persons, abuse of minors, domestic violence, violence against women, crimes against cultural or gender identity, theft with violence, fire crimes (namely forest fire) and criminal association “.

“It does not cover drug trafficking, crimes of active or passive corruption or money laundering, or crimes committed by political or public office holders. All of this is out of the question,” said the head of state.

“The cases that will come to the attention of the President of the Republic will be on an individual basis, taking into account the age and the health of any person who asks to be  pardoned, or has been proposed by a director or prison warden”, he added.

According to the President of the Republic, with regards to “news related to the legislation passed in parliament” and “doubts and speculations” that have arisen, it is important to provide this clarification, in order that inaccurate, sensationalised information is not taken as fact by the public, at a time when the Portuguese already have many concerns about the spread of Covid-19.

“We cannot be distracting attention from the true facts with false news and unjustified, alarmist statements. There is no reason for these alarms concerning those who may deserve pardon,” reinforced the head of state.

Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, who today published a note on the Presidency of the Republic’s website on the Internet about this exceptional regime approved by parliament, based on a proposal for a government law, considered that “the content of this legislation adopted in the context of the pandemic is clear concerning Covid-19”.

“I think it is clear that the President of the Republic is going to pardon on a case-by-case basis, there are no mass pardons, he is going to look at each individual case, taking into account the age and health condition of each person.” he stated.

The head of state stressed that “a very wide range” of crimes is excluded from this regime and argued that “there there is a specific, ethical, humanitarian, public health reason to be taken into account in each case”, which he will attend to “in an open manner that does not allow speculation or misinterpretation” .

IEL // ANP

Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa spoke to the country, in an Easter message that is not tradition, but that is related to the exceptional period that Portugal is going through, with the state of emergency in force until April 17th.

The President of the Republic considered the renewal of the state of emergency practically guaranteed until the 1st of May, but considers it premature to think about a fourth renewal until the middle of next month.

“It depends on what the situation is, on how much we won this fight in April,” he told reporters at the Palace of Belém. “We have to do the monitoring day by day, because we want our recovery to be continuous and without risk of relapse, which is always more difficult “, he stressed.

Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa repeated the idea that it is necessary to win April to see a light in May, but under one condition: “If we want perspectives in the month of May, we must guarantee, until the end of April, a decrease in absolute numbers of the infection “. For that, he stressed, “we cannot slack or let our guard down”.

The President of the Republic thanked the “effort of the Portuguese to have a different Easter” and to deprive themselves of the “company of family members”.

The President stressed that, considering all the measures imposed, “there are no perfect proposals” but that the “possible solution” has been sought.

“We are on the eve of formalizing the [second] renewal of the state of emergency. We hope and are working to make it as smooth as possible, but a realistic assessment will only be made at the end” of that period, added the head of state.

Next Wednesday, after a new technical session on the evolution of the Portuguese situation, the President will hear the Government on the proposal to renew the state of emergency once more, which will have to be voted on in parliament on Thursday.

10^th APRIL 1400 HRS

In an interview with TVI’s “Você na TV” program this Friday, António Costa stated that if the country is managing to control the Covid-19 cases, it is because the restrictions are being complied with by the Portuguese.

He added says that it is necessary to continue, at least for now, recognizing the efforts of the Portuguese who, even before the enforcement of the State of Emergency, accepted the measures of social restraint.

At this moment, the Prime Minister understands that “it would be a wrong signal for the country to lift the State of Emergency”, clarifying that it is an initiative of the President of the Republic, which he should propose next week.

Costa acknowledges that “it is the most difficult moment, when the signs of fatigue and the costs of stopping are starting to be felt harder”, but he also warns that the risk of easing control woul see the cases rise.

As for a second wave, he understands that it is real and even considers himself “pessimistic” because as long as a vaccine does not exist, the virus will continue to circulate.

António Costa also revealed that he never got tested for the new coronavirus because he understands that “tests should be used when they are necessary” and having had no symptoms nor contact with people of risk, he reveals it would be something that would only satisfy his curiosity fleetingly.

 

Prime Minister António Costa announced this afternoon that distanced learning will continue throughout the third period, which will begin on April 14.

Teaching will have the support of daily broadcasts on the RTP Memória channel starting on April 20, only with content from the 1st year onwards.

The assessment will be made in each school group, by the teachers, who have access to the educational path of each student, with the possibility for both the approval and retention of students.

There will be no assessment tests or year 9 exams.

The Prime Minister also announced that the special support regime for families with children under 12 years old will therefore be maintained.

When it comes to years 11 and 12 students, the conditions for returning to face-to-face classes will be assessed during the month of May, without prejudice to a plan B of maintaining distanced learning if the pandemic requires it.

António Costa defended that “it is particularly important” that it is still possible to “resume classroom teaching activities, especially since the diversity of subjects is such that one cannot resort to the support of television broadcasting”.

“We will therefore work on two plans. The one we prefer, to be able to partially resume face to face classes for years 11 and 12 during the month of May, without excluding, as a plan B, having to continue the academic year exclusively with distanced learning, if the evolution of the pandemic requires it. In any case, to ensure greater social distance, less time spent in school and better hygiene, face to face classroom activities will always be very limited “, he said.

Even if face to face classes return, these will always be limited to students from years 11 and 12; for those in year 10, distanced classes will remain via digital media.

Face-to-face classes will also be limited to 22 subjects that require exams for access to Higher Education. Lessons may continue until June 26th.

Exams will only be carried out for subjects of access to Higher Education, the other marks will be given in school.

Activities in kindergartens will only be resumed when the rules for social distancing are raised. The RTP2 channel will have content and activities for pre-school education.

Day-care centers will remain closed, and the monthly payment will have to be agreed upon between the parents and the owners of the establishments.

Professional and artistic teaching will have to adapt their assessments, “most likely from a distance and from home”, said António Costa.