View source for Portugal Approves Extension Of COVID-19 Emergency Fresh Measures...

<br>LISBON, Nov 20 (Reuters) - Portugal's [http://www.paramuspost.com/search.php?query=parliament&type=all&mode=search&results=25 parliament] on Friday approved a 15-day extension of a state of emergency from next week to allow continuation of coronavirus measures as the government considers fresh steps.<br> <br>"This approval reflects well the collective commitment to fight COVID-19," Prime [http://www.wired.com/search?query=Minister%20Antonio Minister Antonio] Costa said on Twitter.<br>"With the mobilisation of all we will be able to overcome the virus."<br> <br>The nationwide state of emergency, which came into force for 15 days on Nov. 9 and included a night-time curfew and a half-day lockdown on weekend days across 191 of the country's 308 municipalities, will now be extended until at least Dec.<br><br>8.<br> <br>Government ministers met on Friday afternoon to agree on new rules, which will be announced on Saturday and could include a tiered system of restrictions based on the state of the virus in each area.<br> <br>Under Portuguese law, a state of emergency is limited to 15 days but can be extended indefinitely in 15-day periods.<br><br>Internal Affairs Minister Eduardo Cabrita told parliament the state of emergency was likely to be renewed again after Dec. 8.<br> <br>Portugal, with around 10 million people, has recorded 249,498 coronavirus infections and 3,762 deaths, relatively low figures compared to some European countries.<br><br>But cases have been rising and are putting the health system under pressure.<br> <br>Confirmed new infections hit 6,994 on Thursday,  [https://kynghidongduong.vn/blog/le-hoi-hoa-tam-giac-mach-ha-giang-va-nhung-diem-check-in-voi-hoa-dep-nhat.html hoa tam giác mạch] the highest daily figure since the pandemic started, with most of the cases concentrated across the country's northern region. Testing has also increased.<br> <br>A total of 3,079 COVID-19 patients are now in hospital,  [https://kynghidongduong.vn/blog/le-hoi-hoa-tam-giac-mach-ha-giang-va-nhung-diem-check-in-voi-hoa-dep-nhat.html kynghidongduong.vn] with a new record of 481 in intensive care units - more than the first wave peak of 271 in April.<br><br>(Reporting by Catarina Demony Editing by Frances Kerry)<br>