LISBON.
Government approves measures to restrict social contacts and limits circulation on the one hand and measures to mitigate the effects on the economy, on the other, such as strengthening resources and supporting companies and workers. Council of Ministers closes everything tonight. What the Prime Minister announced is here
António Costa did not relieve the tone to announce the measures that the Government will take to face the pandemic caused by Covid-19 in Portugal. “It is a fight for our survival,” he said. The struggle in which they are all “together” includes measures to restrict social contacts and compensation measures for workers who have to stay at home.
Here they stay.
RESTRICTION MEASURES
1. The schools, kindergartens and universities contain from Monday until at least April 9, since the measure covers all levels of education, said the prime minister. On that day, the Government reevaluates whether it reopens educational establishments. However, it should be noted that António Costa said that they would be “face-to-face activities”, which may indicate that schools have the possibility to continue with their teaching activities in another way.
2. Visits to homes across the country suspended . António Costa announced that the limitation that exists in the North is extended to the whole country, which implies a suspension of visits to the elderly.
3. Ban on disembarkation of cruises . It was the only limitation to outsiders. Those who arrive from cruises cannot disembark in Portugal, they are only allowed to supply. There is one exception: whoever is resident in Portugal can land.
4. Closure of clubs and bars . For now, and with no date scheduled for reopening, “discos and similar establishments” are closed.
5. The number of catering establishments is reduced by one third (so that there is more space between tables, thus reducing the risk of contagion).
6. The frequency of shopping centers and public services is limited .
7. Still in relation to young people, it is very likely that the Government will restrict (or even prohibit) the travel of finalists scheduled for this period of the Easter holidays.
Taking into account their impact on the economy, António Costa also revealed compensation measures for workers and companies. Are the following:
COMPENSATING MEASURES
1. Income support for workers who have to stay at home to care for children under 12. There is partial “compensation support” for those who have to stay in isolation, including green receipts. “There will be a special mechanism that ensures partial remuneration in conjunction with employers, in order to mitigate the negative impact of household income,” said the prime minister.
2. Special measures for health professionals, security forces and emergency services . António Costa reminded that as these professionals are essential at this moment, there will be special measures for those who have children. It is not yet known which ones.
3. In the Health area, Expresso found out, human resources , protective equipment and the SNS24 telephone line are strengthened . Private requests and greater autonomy in hiring and quick equipment purchases may be on the table.
In addition to these measures, the Prime Minister calls on the Portuguese to take hygiene measures “to avoid contamination from the other”. It is necessary to “limit the level of circulation and social contact as much as possible”.
“We all have to be aware that we have to limit our travel, our social contacts”, he insisted. At stake is the fact that Costa points out that “the European continent and Portugal have not yet reached the peak ” of the pandemic . “It is in the evolution phase and therefore it is very likely that in the coming weeks more people will be infected, with more serious consequences for their health and life and that this may be a more lasting outbreak than could have been initially estimated” , he stressed.
Some measures still need to be detailed and are announced in the Council of Ministers for some time.
