This evening Prime-Minister Antonio Costa outlined during his address to the public the new restrictions put in place as part of the State of Emergency. It is very clear that the main takeaway is that the restrictions put in place will principally affect those over 70 years old, or who already suffer from an “at-risk” illness.
Prime Minister António Costa, at the end of the long meeting of the Council of Ministers which defined the measures that will be implemented for the next 15 days, stressed that “the elderly or people with some vulnerability have a special duty of protection and should only leave their homes in very special situations”.
“For these people, a special duty of protection is imposed. They are people of particular risk. Experience shows that they are the most subject to contamination and that the disease affects them more intensely. They should only leave their homes in very exceptional circumstances and when strictly necessary. It may be to buy goods they need, to go to the bank, or post office,” he framed.
Throughout today, it was reported that people over 65 would have a set time period where they could leave the house to attend public services and shops, but this ended up not being implemented in the announced measures. “There will be no special opening hours for people who are subject to a special duty of protection. What exists is a very special request to all who are over 70 years old or suffer from any vulnerability to limit the exits from their home” stressed Costa.
The prime minister explained that today's meeting focused on "restrictions on the right to travel and freedom of economic initiative", since other measures contained in the President of the Republic's decree "are clear and feasible in their own right", not requiring the power given by enacting a State of Emergency.
The Prime Minister explained that the measures included were designed to ensure "maximum restraint and minimum disruption" in the daily lives of citizens. Costa recalled that if someone who is infected with the new virus or is under surveillance, and does not respect the mandatory isolation, he incurs a crime of disobedience, but only in these cases, since there will be no curfew. Even so, the authorities "will act pedagogically".
In his personal view, "so far, people have done very well, it would even be disrespectful to the Portuguese to impose a sanctioning framework" for those who leave home, he said.
Regarding the public services that will remain open, Costa says that the Government intends to "generalize the use of work-from-home in all public services", and, "regarding service, we strongly recommend the use of telephone or online means". In-person service will be by appointment only.
In this sense, “Lojas do Cidadão” will be closed to avoid large crowds of people, but support posts in municipalities remain open, provided they comply with the rules.
In relation to economic activities, the rule is that, except for "cases of activities that are dedicated to the public service, they can maintain their normal activity". "The exceptions are those cases in which public calamity has been decreed” as in the city of Ovar, exemplified the Prime Minister.
However, “bakeries, grocery stores, supermarkets, gas stations, pharmacies, kiosks, that is, a set of establishments, and I am not saying all of them, that are performing and selling goods and services that are absolutely essential to people's daily lives can and should remain open”. In shopping centres, only shops of an “essential nature” will remain open.
Responding to journalist questions over the possibility of product rationing, Costa clarified that "there is currently no rationing in stores, nor is it justified that there will be any". He explains that "we have to avoid situations of rupture and discontinuity as much as possible" and "there is no reason to justify any type of rationing, if we all maintain proper civic behaviour".
Working from home has not been declared mandatory, but it is "recommended" and Costa expects it "to be practiced", as "it is a good way to allow people to continue their work activity".
For now, the Armed Forces will not be called upon to intervene, despite the state of emergency, but the Head of Government stressed that "we will use this resource if and when necessary".
Compliance with the measures now imposed will be ensured by the security forces, GNR and PSP.
Regarding funerals, there will be “guidelines for avoiding a large concentration of people”, but Costa, did not specify. Meanwhile, the Council of Ministers will continue tomorrow morning to further discuss measures of social and economic support for families, "in addition to those that have already been adopted", Costa announced.
