Portugal Parliament votes to extend emergency

The Portuguese Parliament has approved by a large majority the renewal of the state of emergency in the country to tackle the new coronavirus outbreak.

The vote followed a request by President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa who is now expected to confirm the new period of state of emergency in an announcement later on Thursday through a national televised address to the nation.

The government has already said it agrees with the renewal and more restricted measures are expected to be included by Prime Minister Antonio Costa for the coming two weeks, due to the Easter period, a time when families traditionally travel to their second homes or to be with their families.

Portugal so far has 8,251 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 187 deaths.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks.

For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.