Portuguese parliament approves 15-day extension of state of emergency
Xinhua
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LISBON, April 2 (Xinhua) -- The Portuguese parliament on Thursday approved in a plenary session a presidential decree on the extension of the state of emergency for another 15 days, in an attempt to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and cushion its economic and social impact.

The state of emergency, which was declared by Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa on March 18 and would end on Thursday midnight, will be renewed until April 17 under the new endorsement.

The president published the new decree early Thursday, seeking to extend the state of emergency for another 15 days and giving more power to the executive authorities.

Compared to the previous one, the new decree authorizes the Portuguese government to take more restrictive measures such as job protection, price controls, support for the elderly, education and measures for prisoners.

According to the president's proposal, compulsory confinement can be imposed at home, a healthcare establishment or other place defined by the authorities, as well as the establishment of sanitary fences.

The Portuguese government may prevent unjustified travel, and specify "the situations and purposes in which the freedom of individual movement, preferably unaccompanied, remains."

According to the decree, limitations may be imposed in relation to the dismissals of employees by companies, while price control measures and combating speculation can also be adopted. However, the government has promised that rents, interest, dividends and other property or capital income can be reduced or deferred, without penalty.

The presidential decree said that border controls, limitation or prohibition of meetings or demonstrations, religious celebrations and face-to-face classes may be established.

The presidential decree said that the perpetrators of "any and all acts of active or passive resistance" directed at the orders of the authorities may incur a crime of disobedience.

Finally, "exceptional and urgent protection measures" can be taken for prisoners, as well as for staff who work in prisons, according to the decree.

Rebelo de Sousa is expected to deliver a televised national speech late Thursday to announce the extension of the state of emergency.

According to the bulletin of the Directorate-General for Health on Thursday, the number of confirmed cases in Portugal rose in the past 24 hours from 8,251 to 9,034, while the deaths increased from 187 to 209.