This afternoon, the Government gave a positive opinion on the decree of state of emergency, requested by the President of the Republic after this decision was taken by the Council of State.
Prime Minister António Costa, at the Ajuda Palace, explained that Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa "produced a formal hearing by the Government on the decree of a state of emergency in Portugal" and, "aware of the seriousness of the decision that, for the first time, is being raised within the framework of the validity of the Constitution, I understood that the Government should pronounce itself at an extraordinary meeting of the Council of Ministers, which gave its assent».
Despite the more than predictable declaration of the state of emergency, since the measure will still be voted on this afternoon in the Assembly of the Republic, António Costa assured that «with the declaration of the state of emergency, democracy will not be suspended, we will continue with full functioning of our democratic institutions, we will continue to be a society of free citizens who will be responsible for themselves and for others».
For the prime minister, “the declaration of a state of emergency cannot take away the responsibility. The recommendations of the DGS must be followed and social contacts reduced to a minimum. We want to continue to live in a decent society, where everyone takes care of one another, where no one is left unattended, where the principle of “save yourself who can” does not reign”.
The head of Government added that the measures that will be taken, if the Assembly of the Republic approves the presidential decree, will be decided, this Thursday, in the Council of Ministers.
Today, António Costa has already met with the Ministry of Health and requested that, "by the end of today", this ministry "enables the Government with the most solid technical and scientific basis possible and with the recommendations of the set of measures" to be implemented, following the declaration of the state of emergency, "to strengthen the fight against this pandemic".
The prime minister stresses that "the first priority is to contain the pandemic and save lives", but "it is essential that life continues" and, for example, said that "the supply chains of essential goods and services must continue to be ensured'.
Regarding the possibility of the state of emergency extending beyond the 15 days provided for in the law, Costa recalled that "the pandemic state will certainly still have months to go."
Read here the proposal for a decree by the President of the Republic on the state of emergency.
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