<p>Portugal's parliament approved a new state of emergency starting on Monday to fight the spread of the coronavirus that has put the healthcare system under pressure.</p>.<p>The initial state of emergency, which under Portuguese law is limited to 15 days but can be extended indefinitely in 15-day periods, was declared in March and lasted six weeks. It restricted the movement of people and led thousands of businesses to suspend activities.</p>.<p>Last Saturday, the government introduced measures, such as the civic duty - a recommendation rather than a rule - to stay home except for work, school or shopping, across 121 municipalities, including Lisbon and Porto.</p>.<p>The new state of emergency approved by parliament on Friday will clear the way for compulsory measures such as restrictions on movement of people, but only if and when needed.</p>.<p>Prime Minister Antonio Costa told Antena 1 radio station the state of emergency would not bring "major changes" to the measures already in place, saying it would give the government "legal certainty" to introduce restrictions if necessary.</p>.<p>On Saturday, the government will hold an emergency meeting to discuss potential new restrictions.</p>.<p>Portugal, with just over 10 million people, has recorded a comparatively low 166,900 cases and 2,792 deaths but it reached 5,550 cases on Friday, the highest daily figure since the pandemic started. Testing has also increased.</p>.<p>A total of 2,425 people are in hospital, with 340 in intensive care units (ICUs) - more than the April peak of 271.</p>.<p>The healthcare system, which prior to the pandemic had the lowest number of critical care beds per 100,000 inhabitants in Europe, can accommodate 800 Covid-19 patients in ICUs.</p>
<p>Portugal's parliament approved a new state of emergency starting on Monday to fight the spread of the coronavirus that has put the healthcare system under pressure.</p>.<p>The initial state of emergency, which under Portuguese law is limited to 15 days but can be extended indefinitely in 15-day periods, was declared in March and lasted six weeks. It restricted the movement of people and led thousands of businesses to suspend activities.</p>.<p>Last Saturday, the government introduced measures, such as the civic duty - a recommendation rather than a rule - to stay home except for work, school or shopping, across 121 municipalities, including Lisbon and Porto.</p>.<p>The new state of emergency approved by parliament on Friday will clear the way for compulsory measures such as restrictions on movement of people, but only if and when needed.</p>.<p>Prime Minister Antonio Costa told Antena 1 radio station the state of emergency would not bring "major changes" to the measures already in place, saying it would give the government "legal certainty" to introduce restrictions if necessary.</p>.<p>On Saturday, the government will hold an emergency meeting to discuss potential new restrictions.</p>.<p>Portugal, with just over 10 million people, has recorded a comparatively low 166,900 cases and 2,792 deaths but it reached 5,550 cases on Friday, the highest daily figure since the pandemic started. Testing has also increased.</p>.<p>A total of 2,425 people are in hospital, with 340 in intensive care units (ICUs) - more than the April peak of 271.</p>.<p>The healthcare system, which prior to the pandemic had the lowest number of critical care beds per 100,000 inhabitants in Europe, can accommodate 800 Covid-19 patients in ICUs.</p>