Media Releases
- 14 of April of 2021Meeting of the Council of Ministers on April 14th, 2021Presidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
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Press Release
Meeting of the Council of Ministers on April 14th, 2021
The Council of Ministers met, at the Government Palace, in Dili, and approved the draft Government Resolution, presented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Adaljiza Magno, on the approval of Timor-Leste's candidacy as a member of the Human Rights Council of the United Nations (UN) for the period 2024-2026.
The Human Rights Council has 47 members, elected by the majority of states of the UN General Assembly for a three-year term, while the remaining countries maintain an observer status. Seats are allocated according to equitable geographical representation (13 from the Group of African Countries, 13 from the Group of Asian Countries, seven from the Group of Eastern European Countries, eight from the Group of Latin American and Caribbean Countries, and seven from the Group of Western European and Other Countries).
The draft Decree Law, referring to the seventh amendment to Decree Law No. 10/2005, of November 21st, which approves the Procurement Legal Regime, with the intent of simplifying the special procedure of the urgent direct award, was also approved, with amendments.
With this Decree-Law, new rules for the processing of the procedure for direct award for emergency purchases are now in place, following unforeseen events that endanger public health and safety, or where there is an urgent, unpredictable and unprovoked need by the beneficiary of the supply in relation to works, goods or services, and it is therefore not practical to initiate tender procedures or any other methods of supply, or in the case of an official declaration of disaster or emergency situation, which requires the need to do the works, or to provide the goods or receive services to prevent the loss of life, the loss of government property, or other requirements that require urgent action, in the public interest.
Thus, in the cases referred to above, the body responsible for signing the contract is now allowed to carry out the acts of the procurement procedure and conclude the contract without any formalities. Although the contract produces immediate effects, the procurement acts and the contract must be reduced to writing within a maximum period of 60 days. In these cases, the acts of authorization and approval are dispensed with and the cabimentation is ensured until the moment of the reduction in writing of the contract.
In the case of contracts for the execution of works, the price is determined by applying the unit values provided for in a Joint Ministerial Diploma of the members of the Government responsible for public works and for planning and zoning.
The Diploma also refers that in the context of the declaration of a state of siege or state of emergency, as well as the declaration of an alert situation, contingency or calamity, the procurement procedure by request of quotation can be used, regardless of the value, for the adjudication of contracts with a counterpart in expenses of the category of goods and services, in specific circumstances.
After the analysis of the presentation of the epidemiological situation of the country, gave by the Situation Room of the Integrated Crisis Management Center, the Council of Ministers approved the draft Government Resolutions, for the continuation of the imposition of a health fence in the municipalities of Dili, Baucau and Viqueque until May 2nd. Draft Government Resolutions for the imposition of a health fence in the municipalities of Ermera, Covalima and Ainaro, until May 2nd, were also approved. Thus, the movement of persons between these municipalities and other administrative constituencies is prohibited, except in duly substantiated cases for reasons of public security, public health, humanitarian assistance, maintenance of public supply systems or the realization of the public interest.
The first amendment to Government Decree No 12/2021 of April 1st, on the implementing measures of the declaration of the state of emergency made by decree of the President of the Republic No 17/2021, of March 31st, concerning the rules for the quarantine of humanitarian aid personnel, was approved.
The Minister of Health, Odete Maria Freitas Belo, presented to the Council of Ministers the progress of the vaccination campaign against COVID-19. Since April 7th, of the 24,000 vaccines that arrived in Timor-Leste, 2,629 people were vaccinated, of which 887 are women and 1,742 are men. 1,619 health professionals and 1,010 other frontline professionals have already been vaccinated.
The Minister of Health also presented the results of the tests to determine which variants of SARS-CoV-2 exist in the country, which were conducted in Australia. Most of the results found in the 70 samples analyzed show a similar pattern to what has been detected in other countries in the region, and one case of the UK variant (B.1.1.7) was detected in a patient who was in prophylactic isolation when tested, on December 27th, 2020, and did not cause contagion. No cases of the variants from South Africa (B.1.351) and Brazil (P.1) were detected. A further 246 samples will follow on the next flight for analysis.
The Minister of State Administration, Miguel Pereira de Carvalho and the Secretary of State for Civil Protection, Joaquim José Gusmão dos Reis Martins, presented to the Council of Ministers the state of play of the impacts of the floods of April 4th, caused by the tropical cyclone Seroja and the support measures already implemented. According to the provisional data presented, the floods caused a total of 35 deaths (twenty in Díli, six in Ainaro, three in Viqueque, two in Covalima, two in Manatuto, one in Aileu and one in Baucau) and ten missing (four in Ainaro, four in Manatuto and two in Díli). More than 25,000 families across the country were affected by the floods and 4,546 homes were destroyed or damaged. In terms of public infrastructure, Tropical Cyclone Seroja damaged 22 roads and 11 bridges. In Dili, there are currently 11,104 people sheltered in 38 active centers in Dili. Of the total of 8,548 families affected by the floods in Dili, the Government has already distributed support to 1,396 families by April 11th, and distribution to the remaining families is planned and underway until April 18th. Food support was also sent to RAEOA and Liquiçá, on April 13th. Today support was delivered in Manatuto. Tomorrow it will be Viqueque's turn and on April 16th support will be delivered to the municipalities of Ermera and Aileu.
The Minister of Transport and Communications, José Agustinho da Silva presented the political-legislative options underlying the project on the regulation of the organization of ships and vessel inspection services. The presentation aimed at preliminary analysis of policy-legislative options for the establishment of registration standards and procedures and inspection services for the use of national ships and vessels, in accordance with international standards of maritime safety and protection of the marine environment.
Finally, The Minister of Finance, Rui Augusto Gomes, made a preliminary presentation to the Council of Ministers regarding a proposal to segmentation the Petroleum Fund, dividing it into two parts, one for high liquidity assets, and the other for long-term investment. END
- 12 of April of 2021Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak encourages medical teams to continue their work, without fear of pressurePrime Ministermore
Eighth Constitutional Government
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April 12th, 2021
Press Release
Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak encourages medical teams to continue their work, without fear of pressure
available soon - 08 of April of 2021Meeting of the Council of Ministers on April 8th, 2021Presidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
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Press Release
Meeting of the Council of Ministers on April 8th, 2021
The Council of Ministers met, at the Government Palace, in Dili and, given the impacts caused by the floods of April 4th, and in order to allow the population to cope with the damage caused by floods, which damaged or destroyed a large number of homes, the Council of Ministers approved the draft Government Resolution suspending the imposition of general home confinement of the population of the municipality of Dili, until further notice from the Government.
It was also approved the draft Government Resolution that maintains the imposition of health fence in the municipalities of Baucau and Viqueque for more seven days. Thus, the prohibition of movement of people between these municipalities and other administrative constituencies is maintained, except in duly justified cases for reasons of public security, public health, humanitarian assistance, maintenance of public supply systems or the achievement of public interest. The Government has decided not to renew the imposition of general home confinement of the population.
The Secretary of State for Civil Protection, Joaquim José Gusmão dos Reis Martins, gave a presentation to the Council of Ministers on the state of play of the impacts of the floods of April 4th, caused by tropical cyclone Seroja. According to the data presented in the meeting, the floods caused about ten thousand displaced people in Dili, who are currently sheltered in 22 reception centres throughout the city. The floods caused the death of 42 people - 22 in Dili, 10 in Ainaro, 5 in Manatuto, 3 in Viqueque and 2 in Aileu.
The Council of Ministers approved the draft Government Resolution that proceeds to the declaration of the state of calamity, for a period of 30 days, due to the occurrence of flooding in the municipality of Dili, in the early hours of April 4th, 2021, caused by tropical cyclone Seroja.
A technical working group has already been created and will be responsible for identifying the collective public infrastructures and equipment that has been destroyed or damaged by floods and for formulating proposals for their reconstruction or rehabilitation.
From now onward it is forbidden the construction or reconstruction of homes or any other actions or forms of land use likely to increase the risk of repetition of the event or the worsening of its effects, in flood areas and areas of medium to very high hazard instability slopes.
The Council of Ministers decided to approve the mobilisation of international support to respond to the impacts of the April 4th 2021 floods.
The draft Law Proposal, presented by the Minister of State Administration, Miguel Pereira de Carvalho, was approved, with amendments, for the sixth amendment to Law No. 7/2006, of December 28th, Electoral Law for the President of the Republic. This Law Proposal aims, mainly, to reinforce the citizens’ right of during elections, ensuring the necessary conditions to carry out the vote.
The draft Government Resolution concerning the annual headcount to be incorporated in FALINTL - Timor-Leste Defence Forces, in 2021, presented by the Minister of Defence, Filomeno da Paixão de Jesus was approved, with amendments. Thus, it was approved the realization of a military recruitment for the incorporation of six hundred men /women recruits, of which 240 will be for the Light Naval Force component, 240 for the Land Force component and 120 for the remaining units.
Finally, the Council of Ministers approved the draft Government Resolution, to appoint António dos Santos de Matos, as Executive Director of the Institute for Research, Development, Training and Promotion of Bamboo, IP, for a period of 3 years. This draft Government Resolution was presented by the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Pedro dos Reis. END - 04 of April of 2021Government gathers all efforts to support the population affected by the floodsPresidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
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April 4th, 2021
Press Release
Government gathers all efforts to support the population affected by the floods
The Government expresses solidarity with the population affected by the floods that occurred over the weekend, which caused major material damages throughout the city of Dili and in several parts of the country, with thousands of people affected, hundreds displaced, injured and at least eleven dead.
The Executive, through civil protection, public works, social solidarity and all relevant entities in this area, is already working in the field to ensure humanitarian support to the affected population and to rehabilitate the infrastructures.
The Prime Minister, Taur Matan Ruak, expressed, on his behalf and on behalf of the Government, his "solidarity with the affected population and heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims of the heavy floods".
The Head of Government "wished for strength, at this difficult time, to overcome this suffering" and assured that "the Government will make every effort to help the families affected by this natural disaster." END
- 01 of April of 2021Meeting of the Council of Ministers on April 1st, 2021Presidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
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Press Release
Meeting of the Council of Ministers on April 1st, 2021
The Council of Ministers met, via videoconference, and approved, with amendments, the Decree-Law draft, presented by the Minister of Education, Youth and Sports, Armindo Maia, for the first amendment to Decree-Law No. 13/2019, of June 14th, approving the Organic Law of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports. This Decree-Law draft aims to introduce changes to the organizational structure of this ministry, with a view to reducing bureaucracy in services and greater speed in responding to the needs of the education sector, in general, as well as improving the quality of teaching and learning.
It was also approved, with amendments, the Decree-Law draft for the first amendment to Decree-Law No. 22/2019, of July 31st, on the Organic Law of the Secretariat of State for Cooperatives, presented by the Coordinating Minister of Economic Affairs, Joaquim Amaral, and the Secretary of State for Cooperatives, Elizário Ferreira. The purpose of this amendment is to reinforce the structure of the organs and services of the Secretariat of State in order to obtain the means to increase its efficacy, efficiency and the quality of the services it is legally responsible for, in order to achieve economic growth and consolidate the cooperative model of the financial and non-financial branches.
The Council of Ministers approved, with amendments, the Government Decree draft, presented by the Prime Minister, Taur Matan Ruak, on the measures to implement the Declaration of the State of Emergency, made by President of the Republic’s Decree No. 17/2021 of March 31st, to respond to the pandemic of COVID-19. The state of emergency, now renewed, covers the entire national territory and is in force between April 3rd, 2021, 00.00 a.m., and May 2nd, 2021, 11.59 p.m.
The measures imposed by this diploma are similar to the implementing rules of the previous Declaration of the State of Emergency. It is only noteworthy that it is now established that all individuals suspected of being infected or who have had contact with infected with SARS-Cov-2 are required to undergo testing for the new Coronavirus infection.
Therefore, most of the measures previously approved and which are being implemented will be maintained, namely the prohibition of land border crossings for traditional or customary purposes and for access to regulated markets.
All individuals wishing to enter or leave the territory will continue to be subject to health checks, with international movement being prevented for anyone showing symptoms of COVID-19.
The imposition of compulsory prophylactic isolation (quarantine) remains in place for all individuals entering the national territory from abroad who show symptoms of COVID-19, who are suspected of being infected with SARS-CoV-2 but whose COVID-19 tests are inconclusive, who are healthcare workers who have worked in an isolation centre where care is provided to patients with COVID-19 or those infected with SARS-CoV-2 and who have been in close contact, cohabited or shared the same environment with a patient with COVID-19. Expenses related to prophylactic isolation are borne by each individual when the isolation is carried out in a private healthcare facility, home or isolation centre.
All individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 shall be subject to therapeutic isolation, which may be carried out at home, following a reasoned order by the Minister of Health.
During the validity of the present diploma, all individuals residing in Timor-Leste are still obliged to keep a distance of, at least, three feet in relation to other individuals with whom they do not live in common economy. They are also obliged to wear a face mask that covers the nose and mouth when having access or stay in public or private premises of collective use and to sanitize their hands when intending to enter commercial, industrial or service provision establishments or buildings where public administration services operate. All people are also still obliged to avoid the formation of agglomerations, in public places.
The Council of Ministers also approved the Government Resolutions drafts for the maintenance of the imposition of health fence and general home confinement of the population in the Municipality of Dili, until April 16th 2021, 11:59 p.m., and in the Municipalities of Baucau and Viqueque, until April 9th 2021, 11:59 p.m..
All the rules previously defined in the Government Resolutions that imposed health fences and home confinement in these municipalities are maintained.
Thus, the movement of persons between these municipalities and other administrative constituencies continues to be prohibited, except in duly justified cases for reasons of public security, public health, humanitarian assistance, maintenance of public supply systems or the achievement of public interest.
The imposition of general home confinement for all persons residing or that are presently in in the municipalities of Dili, Baucau and Viqueque also remains, except for the reasons already defined above, namely for reasons of health, work and to access basic goods and services.
The Council of Ministers approved the Government Resolution draft, presented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Adaljiza Albertina Xavier Reis Magno, on the names to be proposed to the President of the Republic for the leadership of the Diplomatic Missions of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste.
Finally, was approved the Government Resolution draft, presented by the Minister of Transport and Communications, José Agustinho da Silva, to attribute the name "Berlin-Ramelau" to the second national passenger ship (Nakroma II). END 
31 of March of 2021Day off on April 1st, 2021, from 12:30 pm onwardsPresidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
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Press Release
Day off on April 1st, 2021, from 12:30 pm onwards
available soon- 29 of March of 2021Extraordinary Meeting of the Council of Ministers of March 29th, 2021Presidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
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Press Release
Extraordinary Meeting of the Council of Ministers of March 29th, 2021
The Council of Ministers met, via videoconference, and, after analysing the presentation gave by the coordinators of the Integrated Crisis Management Centre (CIGC), on the national epidemiological situation, approved the Government Decree draft for the first amendment to the Decree of Government n. 6 /2021, of March 2nd, on the measures to implement the State of Emergency Declaration made by the President of the Republic’s Decree n. 15 /2021, of March 1st, in force until April 2nd, 2021, 11:59 p.m.
With this amendment, the therapeutic isolation can now be fulfilled in the residence, through a reasoned order from the Minister of Health.
It is also provided for the possibility of mandatory prophylactic isolation (quarantine) at home, and expenses related to prophylactic isolation are borne by each individual when it is fulfilled in a private health facility, residence or isolation centre.
This Government Decree draft also decides that all individuals residing in Timor-Leste are obliged to avoid the formation of the agglomerations, on the public road. For the purpose of this Government Decree, the gathering of more than two persons, less than two meters between them, is considered to be an agglomeration of persons.
Regional, municipal and community leaders also have a special duty to cooperate in the inspection, monitoring and supervision of compliance with prophylactic or therapeutic isolation and the dispersion of agglomerations of people on public roads.
The Council of Ministers also approved the Government Resolution draft for the renewal of the imposition of a health fence and general home confinement of the population in the municipalities of Baucau and Viqueque, until April 2nd, 2021, 11:59 p.m..
All the rules previously defined in Government Resolutions n. 17/2021, 18/2021, 19/2021 and 20/2021, of March 15th, which imposed health fences and home confinement in the municipalities of Baucau and Viqueque, remain.
Thus, the movement of people between these two municipalities and the other administrative districts continues to be prohibited, except in duly justified cases for reasons of public security, public health, humanitarian assistance, maintenance of public supply systems or the pursuit of the public interest.
The imposition of general home confinement for all persons currently residing in the municipalities of Baucau and Viqueque also remains, except for the reasons previously defined, in particular for reasons of health, work and for access to goods and services of first necessity. END
- 24 of March of 2021Meeting of the Council of Ministers on March 24th, 2021Presidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
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Press Release
Meeting of the Council of Ministers on March 24th, 2021
The Council of Ministers met, at the Ministry of Finance, in Dili, and began the meeting with the analysis of the presentation that the coordinators of the Integrated Crisis Management Centre (CIGC – Portuguese acronym) gave, on the state of the epidemiological situation in Timor-Leste. Currently, sporadic cases are reported in Oe-Cússe and Covalima, there is spread of cases in Baucau, Viqueque and Lautém, with origin in people coming from Dili, before the imposition of the sanitary fence, and there’s a highly virulent propagation in several areas of the city of Dili.
CIGC’s situation room officials presented as immediate priority to stop the existing transmission outbreaks, through a rapid detection and isolation of all positive cases. It is also intended to increase the capacity of laboratory analysis and contact screening. It is also a priority to prevent the transmission of the virus to other municipalities and to prepare the necessary actions to mitigate possible Community transmission outbreaks that may exist. Another priority objective is to mitigate the socio-economic effects of COVID-19.
Given the evolution of the epidemiological situation in the Fatumean Administrative Post, municipality of Covalima, the Council of Ministers approved a Government Resolution draft repealing Government’s Resolution No. 13/2021, of March 10th, which imposes a Health Fence in Fatumean Administrative Post.
The Government has decided to propose to His Excellency, the President of the Republic, Francisco Guterres Lú Olo, the renewing of the state of emergency for another thirty days. Given the worrying developments in the epidemiological situation and the proliferation of registered cases of COVID-19 contagion, and in order to avoid and neutralise the risks of SARS-CoV-2 spreading, thus protecting the public health and National Health System responsiveness, the Government proposes to the President of the Republic that, with the renewal of the state of emergency, some fundamental rights and guarantees may be suspended or restricted.
Finally, the Council of Ministers approved the Law Proposal draft for the first amendment to Law No. 14/2020, of December 29th, which approves the 2021 General State Budget (2021 GSB), to be submitted to the National Parliament with a request for priority and urgency, to respond to the epidemiological situation of COVID-19 and its socio-economic impacts.
With this amendment, consolidated revenues from the General Public Sector now amount to US$ 2,165.1 million and revenues from central government agencies and services now amount to US$ 1,932.5 million. The budgets of the Special Administrative Region of Oe-Cússe Ambeno and Social Security are unchanged.
The amendment will finance a set of six main intervention measures, prepared by the Government, which are: 1) employment support; 2) moratorium on credits; 3) exemption from tuition fees; 4) food acquisition; 5) support to frontline professionals; and 6) COVID-19 prevention and mitigation measures.
Under the employment support measure, an extraordinary subsidy will be granted, for a period of three months, from March to May 2021, to employees, with the amount equivalent to 70% of salary in sectors of activity legally prevented from operating, and 50% of remuneration in sectors that are operating normally. Employers and workers are exempted from the duty to pay social contributions relating to this income.
Self-employed workers, individual entrepreneurs, domestic service workers, and managers and administrators are also provided for an extraordinary allowance, also for a period of three months, equivalent to 85% of the value of their conventional remuneration. They are also exempted from the duty to pay social contributions relating to this income. Also included in this measure are workers who carry out informal activities, provided that they proceed to their formalization with the National Institute of Social Security.
An extraordinary unemployment benefit is also provided for workers enrolled and with contributions already made to Social Security, with the amount of 40% of the value of conventional remuneration for the 1st step, which forms the basis of contributory incidence for social security, in optional enrolment.
For employers, self-employed workers, individual entrepreneurs, domestic service workers and managers and administrators, are also provided for the waiver of the duty to pay social contributions and the allocation of extraordinary subsidies for joint contribution of energy and rent costs.
It is also intended to relieve the debtors from the costs with the amortization of loans, with the implementationof the moratorium on the fulfilment of obligations arising from credit concession agreements, deferringby nine months the maturity of the obligations of capital returning and establishing the jointly participation of the State in the payment of interest.
It is also proposed to exempt students from higher education, which are prevented to carry out face-to-face education, from paying tuition fees, up to the amount of US$ 150.
It is planned the acquisition of food, by the National Logistics Centre, from national producers, and for distribution by the most deprived people and families.
Part of the strengthening of 2021 GSB will be used to finance COVID-19 prevention and mitigation measures, notably related to the implementation of the vaccination program and the acquisition of more material for testing and treatment of hospitalized patients, as well as the construction of new isolation and quarantine sites and increase capacity of existing sites.
It is also provided for in the Law proposal, the support of frontline professionals, CIGC activities, the Basic Basket Program and the strengthening of rice stock in the National Logistics Centre.
The adoption of these measures requires a strengthening of the General State Budget, focusing on increasing the allocation of the COVID-19 Fund. The increase in revenue to finance the expected increase in expenditure will be achieved by the inclusion of management balances calculated at the end of the 2020 financial year, but not included in 2021 GSB, as well as the reallocation of budget appropriations between services, from the Appropriations for the entire Government and the Infrastructure Fund, so, it is not necessary to increase the amount of the transfer from the Petroleum Fund to the GSB. END
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