Portugal: Country starts 15-day state of emergency

published on 13 November 2020 | reading time approx. 1 minute

The President of the Portuguese Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, declared on Monday a state of emergency to last until 23 November 2020 as part of the effort to combat the covid-19 pandemic.

The state of emergency is the highest stage of civil protection in Portugal. It had been in force between March 19 and May 2 of this year, with two consecutive renewals, for a total of 45 days, allowing the restriction of freedom of movement.
 

Beyond restrictions already in place, the new declaration has established that:

• The circulation of people on the public road is prohibited between 23h00 and 05h00 on weekdays and from 13h00 on Saturdays and Sundays. This measure applies exclusively to the 121 municipalities with high-risk of transmission of covid-19.
• The possibility of demanding diagnostic tests for covid-19.
• The possibility to request healthcare resources, means, and facilities from the private and social sectors, after an attempt of agreement and through fair compensation.
• The mobilization of human resources to reinforce the traceability capacity.
• Extra powers for security forces and tight controls on meetings or public demonstrations.
• The possibility of taking people's temperature by non-invasive means as they enter their workplace, schools, means of transport, or commercial and sports areas.

Fifteen days is the maximum period in which the state of emergency can take effect under Portuguese law. However, it can be extended indefinitely in 15-day periods if necessary.