Category: Latest news

Lisbon, April 14^th (Lusa) – The President of Infarmed the National Authority for Medicament and Health Products, advised today that social masks, which have started to be produced by the national textile industry according to defined specifications, can be made of cotton or polyester and that many will be reusable.

Rui Ivo spoke at the daily press conference about the Covid-19 pandemic, held at the Ministry of Health, about a standard for the industry to start making non-surgical masks for general use of the population in confined spaces, such as supermarkets, pharmacies or public transport.

“Based on these specifications, we are in a position to say that the masks produced and that will be sold will have the protection conditions required. We are talking about a third type of protective equipment that, with support from the national industry, we can use easily and that when these are sold, written instructions for use will be provided.” said Rui Ivo.

Among the materials authorised by the standard are cotton, polyester or a combination of the two, and many of the masks can be reused after washing.

The Health Minister said, at the press conference on Monday, that the use of non-surgical or social masks will be widespread involving those operating in confined spaces such as pharmacies, but only when the country returns to normality and not in the current state of emergency and confinement.

He stated that when life is able to be more ‘normal’ i.e. outside of a state of emergency, in situations which call for the confinement and restriction during essential activities, and in which people are in enclosed spaces, the use of the such social masks should be considered.

A guideline by the Directorate-General for Health refers to “the use of masks by all people who remain in indoors with multiple people, as a measure of additional protection alongside social distancing, hand hygiene and refraining from coughing or sneezing”.

Asked when the widespread use of community masks by the general population in confined spaces will be recommended, the Secretary of State for Health, Lacerda Sales, referred to the reassessment of the state of emergency, which will be done on Wednesday.

“Wednesday will be the reassessment of the state of emergency. Therefore, it is not yet the right time for us to comment on a set of measures that may or may not be re-enforced. It is up to the Ministry of Health, to make responsible and controlled decisions, making no concessions in terms of citizens’ health and safety ”, he said.

WWW.INFARMED.PT

More information about masks here

Guidance has now been issued by the Director General of Health on the use of masks by the general population.

We advice everyone to read this instructions carefully, together with the information about how to use masks in a correct and safe way by the link to WHO.

Be aware: Incorrect use of the mask may pose health risks.

READ ALL INFORMATION HERE

In times of crisis, there will be many people who are disadvantaged in some way, through personal loss of a family member; those who are vulnerable and cannot continue to go to shops for necessities, those who require psychological support and those who have suffered financially, to name but a few.

In these hard times the work of support and humanitarian organisations and volunteers is vital. However they need your help to help others.

Unfortunately criminals may attempt to exploit the situation for their own gain. It is important therefore to avoid those, and support legitimate groups who are doing great work.

Safe Communities Portugal has put together a list of those, that we are aware of, who are able to provide support and assistance to those disadvantaged. There will be others of course.

READ MORE HERE

Easter Day 2020 is unprecedented during our lifetime.

Easter is considered one of the most celebrated and important holidays in Portugal.

However, this year because of the coronavirus and the necessary safety measures that government has had to be put in place it will not be possible to: attend mass in church; travel throughout the country to visit family and friends, or enjoy a festive meal in our local restaurant

However this is not, I believe, an occasion for despair, but one for reflection and optimism that this will be over at some stage, and that there will be a future for us to look forward to.

We face unprecedented short and long terms challenges, but working together we will overcome these.

Portugal is coping well compared with many other countries; a fact acknowledged not only by many of the comments we receive, but internationally as well.

The outcome depends on our continued compliance with the government measures and of course the superb work being done by the Portuguese health and security forces and all the agencies who they work closely with.

The leadership shown by the President of the Republic and Prime Minister from the start has been an inspiration to us all, and is reflected in the resolute and timely actions that have been put in place.

There has been incredible transparency, daily communication of facts, and decisions made in a way which in my view sets an example to many countries.

Within the community there is a general sense of responsibility, civic mindedness and determination to overcome this and get back to a normal way of life as soon as possible. There is fantastic work being undertaken by charities and other volunteers throughout Portugal, from making donations to providing support to those in need.

So today we should continue to celebrate, and in that celebration give enormous thanks to the work of all those in the front line; the health workers who are having to deal with those who are infected and the security personnel who are on the street having to help people, especially  the elderly and most vulnerable.

It is also a day to send our condolences to the families and friends of those who have lost their lives coronavirus, and our sympathies and hope for a speedy recovery to those infected.

This Easter Day is like none before

However, in the future we will reflect on this time in our lives, how Portugal came through this with determination, resolve and bringing out the best in people.

David Thomas, President

on behalf of Safe Communities Portugal

The GNR are using their patrol vehicles to broadcast vital information to keep us all safe.

For non-Portuguese speakers this is the message that is being broadcast

Portuguesa

A GNR recorda: vigorando o estado de emergência não é permitido circular em espaços ou vias públicas fora dos casos previstos na lei.

Respeite as indicações das autoridades. Regresse e permaneça em casa. Para sua segurança e segurança de todos, fique em casa. A desobediência constitui crime.

English

GNR reminds you: during the state of emergency, circulating on public spaces or roads is not allowed except for the cases provided for by law.

Respect the instructions of the authorities. Return and stay at home. For your safety and the safety of everyone, stay at home. Disobedience is a crime.

François

A GNR recorda: vigorando o estado de emergência não é permitido circular em espaços ou vias públicas fora dos casos previstos na lei.

Respeite as indicações das autoridades. Regresse e permaneça em casa. Para sua segurança e segurança de todos, fique em casa. A desobediência constitui crime.

Deutsch

GNR bittet Sie um Beachtung: während des Ausnahmezustands ist das Fahren auf öffentlichen Plätzen oder Straßen nicht erlaubt, außer für die vom Gesetz vorgesehenen Ausnahmen.

Bitte beachten Sie die Anweisungen der Behörden. Kehren Sie um und bleiben Sie zu Hause. Für Ihre eigene Sicherheit und die Sicherheit aller: bleiben Sie zu Hause. Zuwiderhandlungen stellen ein Verbrechen dar.

Svenska

GNR påminner: Under State of Emergency, är det förbjudet att uppehålla sig på offentliga platser och vägar, förutom i de specifika situationer som lagen föreskriver. Respektera myndigheternas instruktioner. Återvänd till ditt hem och stanna hemma. För din och andras säkerhet, stanna hemma. Att bryta mot denna instruktion är ett allvarligt brott och kan leda till straff.

Dutch

GNR herinnert u aan het volgende: tijdens de noodtoestand is verplaatsing in openbare ruimtes of op openbare wegen niet toegestaan, behalve in de door de wet voorziene gevallen. Respecteer de instructies van de autoriteiten. Keer terug en blijf thuis. Voor uw eigen veiligheid en die van iedereen, blijf thuis. Ongehoorzaamheid is een misdaad.

The President of Tourism of the Algarve, Joao Fernandez, sent to Safe Communities a letter addressed to all us  “Algarvians”, who are living, working or studying in the Algarve region. It is our pleasure to share this in different languages, which you can find below”.

It´s a pleasure for SCP to have such a productive cooperation with RTA. Even if the tourism sector for the moment suffer in a struggling time, the Algarve will come to life again. Do not loose hope, keep you faith in yourself, your business and we will together have the strength to once again welcome the world to our own paradise.

Picture:

About RTA

The history of this regional tourism organization follows the evolution of the sector itself in the country and can be told through the dates, people and facts that have marked the Algarve in recent decades. With almost 50 years at the service of the Algarve and a region that is considered several times the «Best Beach Destination in Europe», RTA (Algarve Tourism Region) maintains the objective of enhancing the tourist value of the Algarve in the national and cross-border territory with Spain.

LETTER IN ENGLISH

LETTER IN SPANISH

LETTER IN PORTUGUESE

LETTER IN FRENCH

LETTER IN RUSSIAN

LETTER IN GERMAN

LETTER IN DUTCH

LETTER IN ITALIAN

Here you find most of the answers you will need to understand what you can and what you can´t do. For the moment we DO NOT have any more details so please, if you don´t find the answer in the actual law or in this Q and R, you need to hold on for more information to come. It will not be productive to ask SCP:-) Thank you.

CLICK HERE FOR Q AND A

CLICK HERE FOR RENEWED LAW