EU releases roadmap for (eventually) easing lockdown restrictions
English language coronavirus news in Portugal on April 15, 2020.
Hump day unfortunately brings the largest jump in cases since Good Friday and another 32 victims of the pandemic. These numbers are broadly similar to what we’ve seen for the last few days, something that can best be seen in the graph below from Diário de Notícias, with total cases represented by the bars and the percentage increase in the line graph.
https://infogram.com/linha-de-variacao-dos-casos-1h7z2lg1omwx4ow
European Union releases roadmap for easing lockdown restrictions
The big news from today is the EU proposing some guidelines for the eventual lifting of coronavirus measures. They’re pretty general recommendations rather than specific orders and the EU stresses measures will vary country-by-country and that this isn’t a sign the measures should be lifted immediately, Público reports.
The goal is to avoid a repeat of the somewhat chaotic scenes on show as individual countries went into lockdown at vastly different speeds. An increase in infections is inevitable if restrictions are eased and further lockdowns may be needed, the EU says. The announcement has been widely covered throughout Europe so you should look for the details in your own language/news source of choice. You can read the Irish Times’ take on it here or the original press release here.
Diário de Notícias highlights a few of the EU’s recommendations, including the gradual lifting of limits on gatherings, shops and restaurants, the availability of immunity tests (Which you can read more about here) and self-test kits for people to check if they are infected. The EU also talks about the use of phone apps to track cases, saying the data would be “particularly relevant” while lifting restrictions. Apple and Google are working on building a coronavirus-tracking system into their phones, which you can read about in English on The Verge. DN also reports that the Director-General of Health is already studying ways to, eventually, lighten the contingency measures.
Portugal’s death rate remains below most European countries
Secretary of State for Health António Lacerda Sales says the pandemic is killing 5.5 people for every 100,000 inhabitants, Público reports. For context, Business Insider puts that number at 38 in Spain, 17 in the UK and 3.85 in Germany, which has been hailed for the low figure. Mr Sales stresses the stat shouldn't be used to compare countries but says it’s a “good” sign to be below most European countries, with the exception of Germany and Austria.
In Brief
After five years of reducing debt, Portugal’s budget deficit is set to soar to 7.1% of GDP
How Long Will Social Distance Rules Be Needed? Harvard Says 2022 (English)
On a lighter note
Queima das Fitas (Burning of the Ribbons) is a massive student party famous across Europe. The most well-known event happens in Coimbra, the home of Portugal’s first university but Porto and Lisbon also have celebrations. The Lisbon event is usually next month, but thanks to the coronavirus, it’s been brought forward and moved to Instagram. It’s a shame for the students but at least it means you can check out the 40 Portuguese and international artists on show without feeling like the weird old guy crashing the student party.