MAI: Voters in isolation due to Covid-19 can vote on the 30th

Voters who are in isolation due to Covid-19 can leave the house to vote on January 30, the Minister of Internal Administration has just announced, adding that the Government will recommend a specific time for this vote.

“The most suitable period will probably be the last hour, between six (in the afternoon) and seven”, said minister Francisca Van Dunem, at a press conference.

Thus, the confined will be able to leave the house on the 30th, but “strictly to vote” at a specific time.

Taking into account this change, the rules of mandatory confinement will have to be changed, to allow for that exception, which, the minister stressed, will be done through a resolution of the Councils of Ministers.

Also present at this press conference, Graça Freitas, director-general of Health, considered that, by dedicating an hour to the vote of people in confinement, with their own circuits, this will “minimize the risk of infection”.

In addition, he stressed, for isolated people to vote, it is mandatory to wear a mask, physical distance and the obligation to follow the limited route in the places where the elections will take place. “All the infrastructures are ready”, he assured.

Graça Freitas also recommended that confined people, when going to vote, do not use public transport, but go on foot or by car.

Although people in isolation are allowed to vote, Francisca Van Dunem called for early voting. The minister said it was important "to renew the appeal to people who can vote in advance to do so on the 23rd".

The Government had requested an opinion from the advisory council of the Attorney General's Office (PGR) to find out whether isolation in the context of Covid-19 prevents the exercise of the right to vote or whether it could be suspended for that purpose.

The Minister of Internal Administration added that the opinion of the PGR says that “the Government cannot inhibit people from voting during the entire period in which polling stations are open”, but can “issue a recommendation so that these people will vote in a determined time”.