The Government of Portugal is implementing today the “state of alert” in the country to act in the face of the coronavirus crisis, which has already led to the announcement of the closure of schools and discotheques and limitation of capacity in restaurants.
With 78 cases registered, no deceased and a recovered person, the Government of António Costa has taken a step forward to ensure with this measure that “civil protection means and security forces” are ready to act “promptly”, explained at a press conference the Minister of the Presidency, Mariana Vieira da Silva.
Vieira da Silva appeared well into the morning with the headlines of the Economy, Health, Education and Labor and Social Security to delve into the announcements made by Costa hours earlier, in which measures such as the schools, kindergartens and discotheques closed from next Monday until Easter.
In addition to the state of alert, a measure taken in Portugal to reorganize the security forces in the face of unforeseen events – such as fires – to make better use of their capacity, was joined by the promise that workers left behind to care for children at home for the school suspension they will receive 66% of their salary. 33% of that percentage will be paid by Social Security.
It also simplifies the physician recruitment process, being able to join retired personnel.
Actions that seek to contain viruses in the midst of what Costa called “a fight for our own survival” last night.
In that context, the Government will reduce “a third the maximum capacity of each catering establishment” and imposes “frequency” limitations in shopping malls.
Too limits the berths for tourist cruises, now only for supply, “not for disembarking passengers”, with the exception of those travelers residing in Portugal.
It will also limit visits to nursing homes across the country to protect a “particularly vulnerable” population.
“This pandemic on the European continent in Portugal has not yet reached its peak; on the contrary, it is in the evolution phase,” said Costa, who said that it is “very probable that in the next few weeks” there will be more people infected. “This may be a longer-lasting outbreak than may have been initially estimated,” he added.
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