A TV screen shows Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa delivering a televised national speech, in Lisbon, Portugal, on March 18, 2020. Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa declared on Wednesday in a televised national speech a "state of emergency" in a bid to contain the spread of COVID-19. (Photo by Pedro Fiuza/Xinhua)
LISBON, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa declared on Wednesday in a televised national speech a "state of emergency" in a bid to contain the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus.
The declaration came after stronger measures are agreed by a Council of State meeting in the morning via teleconference and approved by the Parliament, according to SIC TV, a leading private broadcaster in Portugal.
The state of emergency, the first of its kind in the Portuguese history, can be extended for another 15 days, according to the Portuguese law.
The president said that this is an exceptional decision and that the pandemic will be intense, "a test never lived for our National Health Service and Portuguese society"
The pandemic will also be a "huge" challenge to the economy, he said, adding that it is a "war".
"I asked for a state of emergency," he explained, noting that he knows that "the Portuguese are divided" on the topic and everyone expects a "miracle."
Prime Minister Antonio Costa assured earlier in the day that his government will only take "necessary and proportionate" measures to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus, and no curfew is expected.
"The declaration of a state of emergency will not mean the suspension of democracy," the prime minister said in a statement after a meeting with the Council of Ministers.
"We will comply with enormous determination, adopting at every moment the measures that are necessary and proportionate, and depending on the needs," he explained.
"The country will not stop. Only by continuing will we be able to stop this pandemic," Costa said.
Costa said that this instrument could enable the government to "do more and better", but warned that "there is no emergency decree that has a saving effect to resolve the pandemic crisis."
Portugal has been on alert since last Friday, and has suspended classroom activities in all schools and all air, water and railway links with neighboring Spain.
The number of positive COVID-19 cases in Portugal rose to 642 on Wednesday, 194 more than on the previous day, according to the Directorate-General for Health (DGS).