Media Releases
- 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 - 17 of March of 2021Government is committed to ensure a quick and effective socio-economic response to COVID-19Presidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
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March 17, 2021
Press Release
Government is committed to ensuring a quick and effective COVID-19 socio-economic response
In order to address the epidemiological situation of the new coronavirus in Timor-Leste, Prime-Minister Taur Matan Ruak guided the relevant Government members in this matter, to boost the ongoing process of preparing the socio-economic response to the effects of COVID-19, so that the necessary humanitarian, economic and social support is determined and provided to the affected population, as soon as possible.
As happened last year, the Head of Government has set as a national priority to respond, quickly and effectively, to the socio-economic costs and implications of COVID-19, so that people affected by this negative effects are protected from income losses and unemployment, and so that businesses facing difficulties are able to maintain their cash flow and economic activity.
The Government will also finalize support for university students displaced from their families and municipalities.
Support for frontline personnel, who fight against this disease on a daily basis, shall also be defined and finalised.
It is also a priority for the Government to boost the process of acquiring and implementing vaccines against SARS-CoV2, so that we can have the population immunized as soon as possible.
The Executive is also finalizing the process of preparing the necessary financial mechanisms to fund the response to the impact of COVID-19.
The proposals for intervention will soon be submitted to the Council of Ministers for their appreciation and deliberation, with a view to their rapid implementation. END - 15 of March of 2021Extraordinary Meeting of the Council of Ministers of March 15th, 2021Presidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
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Press Release
Extraordinary Meeting of the Council of Ministers of March 15th, 2021
The Council of Ministers met, at the Ministry of Finance, in Dili and, after the analysis of the presentation of the coordinators of the Integrated Crisis Management Centre, on the state of the epidemiological situation in Timor-Leste, approved a Government Resolution draft for the maintenance of a health fence in the Municipality of Dili, until April 2nd, 2021, 11:59 p.m.
Thus, the border posts installed in the area of this municipality remain closed and the movement of persons between this municipality and other administrative circumscriptions is prohibited, except in cases duly based on reasons of public security, public health, humanitarian assistance, maintenance of public supply systems or the realization of the public interest. The requests for movement between the municipality of Dili and the other administrative circumscriptions are addressed by the interested parties to the Director of the Integrated Crisis Management Centre, preferably submitted through e-mail.
Persons and property who, under the conditions established in this Government’s Resolution enter or leave the municipality of Dili are obliged to transit through one of the integrated control centres, located at the east, centre and west land entrances, and at maritime and air border posts. These integrated control centres operate on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, between 06:00 a.m. and 04:00 p.m., and their operation is ensured by teams of officials, agents or civil administration workers appointed by the Ministers of the Interior, Health, State Administration and Agriculture and Fisheries, who inform the Director of the Integrated Crisis Management Centre about the identity and contacts of those workers.
The driver and other crew of vehicles authorised to carry goods intended or destining in the municipality of Dili cease their activity in the integrated control centres and shall be replaced by another separate driver or crew, which shall ensure the continuation of transport. Before the replacements of drivers and crews are carried out, the teams of the integrated control centres shall sanitize the interior of the cabins of the land freight vehicles in which the driver and other crew must remain, in accordance with the standards which are by ministerial diploma of the Minister of Health.
Where the movement of goods takes place by means of sea or air transport, crews shall remain inside their vessel or aircraft or, where this is not possible, shall not be absent from the designated international zones of the port or airport, shall keep the mouth and nasal cavities covered by mask, and shall keep a distance of at least three feet from any other individuals.
A Government Resolution draft has also been approved, to maintain the imposition of general home confinement for all persons residing or currently staying in the municipality of Dili, who must remain in their homes or in their temporary accommodation places.
Exceptionally, may be absent from their residence or place of accommodation in Dili persons who have to travel to receive hospital or medical care; to accompany a family member or person in their custody or care to receive hospital care or medical care; to assist other persons who need it for reasons of health, social protection or humanitarian assistance; to file complaints or report crimes with the Public Prosecutor's Office, the Ombudsman's Office for Human Rights and Justice or any criminal police body; to appear in judicial or police proceedings for which they have been notified; to buy food, meals, essential goods or fuel; to make payments for electricity, telecommunications or internet access services; to access financial services; to provide professional activity where it is not dispensed by its superior, in the case of officials, workers or civil servants of the public administration, or by their employer, in the case of workers in the private sector of the economy; to attend funerals, in accordance with this Government Resolution.
These journeys shall last only for the time strictly necessary for the purpose for which they are intended and when they occur for work, persons should have with them a document proving the obligation to be in the workplace.
The movement of public transport throughout the area of the municipality of Dili, namely microlets, biscotas and taxis, is prohibited;
All commercial, industrial, artisanal or private sector services establishments which carry out activity in the municipality of Dili, must remain closed to the public, with the exception of commercial establishments selling food, water and other first necessity goods, including supermarkets, minimarkets or kiosks; medical or medical care establishments, establishments providing social protection services; pharmacies; resale stations of fuel or gas; commercial establishments where payments are made relating to the supply of electricity, internet access or telecommunications; media; hotel establishments and the like, in accordance with the rules set out in this Government’s Resolution; restaurants, warungs and the like, in accordance with the rules set out in this Government’s Resolution; financial institutions, including banks and entities licensed for international money transfers; construction companies or construction-related activities that are public procurement contractors; companies providing technical services for the maintenance, repair or operation of power plants or the national electricity grid; land, sea and air cargo transport companies; establishments selling funeral materials or providing funeral services, in accordance with the rules set out in this Government Resolution; pest control services companies; companies providing sanitation and sewage cleaning services.
Workers and customers of these commercial establishments and companies, before accessing them shall sanitize their hands and cover the nose and mouth a with mask. For as long as they remain within those establishments and companies, they shall remain wearing a mask covering mouth and nose, keeping at least three feet from other individuals with whom they do not live in common economy, and shall sanitise their hands frequently. While waiting to enter the establishments, customers must wait outside, keeping a distance of at least three feet from other persons with whom they do not live in common economy;
Commercial, industrial, artisanal or private sector service establishments of the economy which are closed to the public, may develop their activity through home delivery services.
Restaurants and the like may only provide meals at their own doors, for take away , for consumption at home or at the place of temporary accommodation or through delivery for home or hotel establishments. Persons staying in a hotel must have their meals in their rooms.
The Municipal markets of Dili, Manleuana and Taibessi, remain operational, and their operators and users, before accessing the interior of the markets, shall sanitize their hands and remain with a mask covering mouth and nose, and keep at least three feet from other individuals with whom they do not live in common economy. Where security forces find it is not possible to maintain the distance of at least three feet between users, they shall prevent new users from accessing the market grounds until the number of users allows comply with that distance.
Street vendors of essential goods or services, in particular food products, especially vegetables, as well as traders who carry out their activities at fairs, shall remain with a face mask covering mouth and nose, frequently sanitise their hands, maintain a distance of at least three feet from other street vendors or their customers, and prevent the formation of agglomerations of persons near the place where they carry out their activity.
The organisation and holding of funeral ceremonies involving the participation of more than ten persons, is prohibited. In funerals with up to ten persons, during the ceremonies, all persons must wear a face mask covering mouth and nose and maintain at least three feet from other persons present at the ceremony.
The police authorities monitor compliance with the rules contained in this Government’s Resolution and warn the offenders that their persistence in non-compliance with this rules may become a crime of disobedience. The police authorities shall inform the Public Prosecutor's Office of the identity of persons who, after the warning provided for in the preceding sentence, persist in flouting the rules set out in this Government’s Resolution. In cases where the rules set out in this Government’s Resolution are disregarded by foreigners, the police authorities shall communicate their identity to the Migration Service.
The Government Resolution drafts for the imposition of heath fences and mandatory confinement in the municipalities of Baucau and Viqueque, until March 29th, 2021, were also approved. The rules of application of health fences and mandatory confinement in these two municipalities are similar those of the municipality of Dili, with the appropriate adjustments and adaptations to the reality of these two municipalities. END
