The President of the Republic has declared emergency rule

The President of the Republic has declared that Portugal is now in a state of emergency, for a period of 15 days, but this period can be re-assessed after these 15 days are over, depending on the situation regarding the CoVid-19.

The Portuguese Head of State, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, affirmed that there are five main reasons for declaring the State of Emergency: anticipation, prevention, certainty, contention and flexibility.

"The path ahead is long and arduous", referred the President of the Republic after convened with the State Council and the Government and asked the Assembly of the Republic to decree the State of Emergency; all authorities have supported the President's decision.

Enhancing that "it better to be safe than sorrow", and to take the example of what is going on in other countries, which were not that swift in taking more robust measures, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa stressed that it is necessary that the Portuguese understand that we are at war and that they should remain indoors, they should #StayHome #FicaEmCasa.

From this point on, the Government is allowed by the President of the Republic to suspend certain collective rights, as the right to strike, as security forces will be able to take action by forbidden public gatherings.

It is worth recalling that last 14th March, the Mayor of Porto, Rui Moreira, urged that the State of Emergency was declared in the country.