Media Releases
- 26 of August of 2021Clarification on measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and public health protectionPresidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
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Press Release
Clarification on measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and public health protection
The last few weeks have seen a worsening of the country-wide pandemic situation of COVID-19, with confirmation of the existence of the delta variant in the country and a large increase in the number of people infected, hospitalisations, severe cases of the disease and deaths.
Between August 16th and 22nd, Timor-Leste registered a total of 1,651 cases of new coronavirus infection, 54 people had to be hospitalized and 18 people died from COVID-19.
Although vaccination against COVID-19 is progressing positively throughout the country and despite its proven effectiveness in preventing severe cases and deaths, there has been an increase in those infected also among the vaccinated population, who, although the risk of being hospitalised is much lower than those who are not vaccinated, can infect others, including the most vulnerable.
None of the 52 people who died with the SARS-CoV-2 virus in Timor-Leste had the full vaccination.
In view of this worsening of the situation and to protect public health, the Government, through the Council of Ministers, in its meeting on August 25th, 2021, decided:
Impose a mandatory confinement (lockdown) in the Municipality of Dili, from August 27th to September 2nd, 2021.
Confinement (lockdown) is a measure that requires people to stay at home.
This measure covers all citizens of the city of Dili, including those who have been fully vaccinated.
All persons in the Dili Municipality are obliged to stay at home and may only leave for reasons of health, work (in the case of public administration, the superior defines which employees are not exempt from the duty to attend), to access basic goods and services and to receive the vaccine against COVID-19.
Maintain the imposition of sanitary fences in the Municipality of Dili, until September 13th, 2021.
Sanitary Fence is a measure prohibiting movement from the boundaries of the municipality. It is not the same as lockdown.
It is prohibited to enter and leave this municipality, except for reasons of public safety, public health, humanitarian assistance, maintenance of the public supply systems or in the public interest
From August 27th to September 2nd, in reference to the Government Resolution imposing general home confinement of the population of the Municipality of Dili, all persons in the Municipality of Dili, including those vaccinated against COVID-19, are obliged to remain at home.
Maintain the imposition of sanitary fence in the Municipality of Ermera, until September 13th, 2021.
Sanitary Fence is a measure prohibiting movement from the boundaries of the municipality. It is not the same as lockdown.
It is prohibited to enter and leave this municipality, except for reasons of public safety, public health, humanitarian assistance, maintenance of the public supply systems or in the public interest
This prohibition does not apply to persons who provide proof of full vaccination (two doses) against COVID-19 and to accompanying children under the age of six.
Impose sanitary fences in the municipalities of Covalima and Baucau, between August 26th and September 8th, 2021.
Sanitary Fence is a measure prohibiting movement from the boundaries of the municipalities. It is not the same as lockdown.
It is prohibited to enter and leave these municipalities, except for reasons of public safety, public health, humanitarian assistance, maintenance of the public supply systems or in the public interest
This prohibition does not apply to persons who provide proof of full vaccination (two doses) against COVID-19 and to accompanying children under the age of six.
Maintain the imposition of sanitary fences in the areas covered by the village (suco) Naimeco, in the Administrative Post of Pante Macassar, and by the village (suco) Bobometo, in the Administrative Post of Oesilo, both in the RAEOA, until September 8th, 2021.
Sanitary Fence is a measure prohibiting movement from the boundaries of the municipalities. It is not the same as lockdown.
It is prohibited to enter and leave these villages (sucos), except for reasons of public safety, public health, humanitarian assistance, maintenance of the public supply systems or in the public interest
This prohibition does not apply to persons who provide proof of full vaccination (two doses) against COVID-19 and to accompanying children under the age of six.
Impose compulsory confinement (lockdown) on the Administrative Posts of Ermera and Railaco, of the Municipality of Ermera, until September 1st, 2021.
Confinement (lockdown) is a measure that requires people to stay at home.
This measure does not cover persons who have been fully vaccinated.
All persons in the administrative posts of Ermera and Railaco, who do not have the complete vaccination, are obliged to stay at home and may only leave for reasons of health, work, to access basic goods and services and to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
In addition to the measures already mentioned, the Council of Ministers, through the Government Decree, referring to the implementation measures of the declaration of the state of emergency, decided to ban, throughout the national territory, all activities that involve the agglomeration of people.
The Government urges the entire population to participate in the vaccination campaign against COVID-19 and to respect all the prevention measures, namely always wear a mask that covers the nose and mouth, wash hands regularly, keep at least three feet between themselves and others and avoid crowds of people. END - 25 of August of 2021Meeting of the Council of Ministers on August 25, 2021Presidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
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Press Release
Meeting of the Council of Ministers on August 25, 2021
The Council of Ministers met, at the Government Palace, in Dili, and after reviewing the presentation of the epidemiological situation of the country, given by the Coordinators of the Situation Room of the Integrated Centre for Crisis Management (CIGC), approved the draft Government Decree on the implementation measures of the Declaration of the State of Emergency, made by the President of the Republic Decree No. 69/2021, of August 24th, to respond to the pandemic of COVID-19. The state of emergency, now renewed, covers the entire national territory and is in force between August 31st, 2021, 12:00 am, and September 29, 2021, 11:59 pm.
Regarding the implementation measures of the previous declaration of a state of emergency, there has been a change, and all activities involving the gathering of people are now prohibited throughout the country.
The remaining rules remain unchanged, namely the obligation of all individuals residing in Timor-Leste to keep a distance of, at least, three feet from other individuals with whom they do not live in common economy. They are also required to wear a face mask that covers the nose and mouth when having access to or staying in public or private places of collective use and to wash their hands when entering commercial, industrial or service provision establishments or buildings where public administration services operate. During the duration of the state of emergency, licences, permits, visas, residence permits and other administrative acts and documents shall remain valid regardless of their period of validity.
The Council of Ministers approved the draft Government Resolution that imposes the general home confinement of the population of the Dili Municipality, between August 27th, 12:00 am, September 2nd, 2021, 11:59 pm.
Thus, the general home confinement of all persons residing or presently in the Municipality of Dili is imposed, who should remain in their residences or in their places of temporary accommodation, including shelters, except in the situations foreseen in this diploma, namely for reasons of health, work, to access basic goods and services and to receive the vaccine against COVID-19.
The circulation of public transport in the entire area of the Municipality of Dili, namely taxis, microlets, biscotas and angunas, is prohibited.
Collective religious celebrations shall be suspended and the organisation and holding of funeral ceremonies involving the participation of more than ten people shall be forbidden. During these ceremonies, people shall wear a face mask covering the nasal and mouth cavities and keep their distance of at least three feet from other people present at the ceremony.
All commercial, industrial, craft or service establishments will be closed to the public, with the exception of establishments selling food and other essential goods, electricity, telecommunications, medical care, pharmacies, petrol stations and financial institutions.
Restaurants may provide take-away or home-delivered meals and other establishments that are closed to the public may develop their activity through home-delivery services.
The activity of street food vendors and other essential goods is allowed. The Manleuana and Taibessi Municipal markets remain open between 6 am and 6 pm.
The following draft Government Resolutions were also approved:
maintaining the imposition of sanitary fences in the municipalities of Dili and Ermera until September 13th, 11:59 pm;
imposing sanitary fences in the municipalities of Covalima and Baucau from August 26th, 2021, 12:00 am, until September 8th, 11:59 pm;
maintaining the imposition of sanitary fences in the areas covered by the village (suco) Naimeco, in the Administrative Post of Pante Macassar, and the village (suco) Bobometo, in the administrative post of Oesilo, both in the Special Administrative Region of Oe-Cusse Ambeno, until September 8th, 11:59 pm.
Thus, the prohibition of movement of persons between the said areas and municipalities and other administrative districts is imposed, except in cases duly justified on grounds of public safety, public health, humanitarian assistance, maintenance of public supply systems or the achievement of public interest. Individuals who provide proof of full vaccination (two doses) against COVID-19 and accompanying children under the age of six are not covered by this travel ban.
Also approved was the draft Government Resolution that maintains the general home confinement of the population of the Administrative Posts of Ermera and Railaco, in the Municipality of Ermera, until September 1st, 11:59 pm.
Thus, the ban on movement of persons between these administrative posts and the other administrative districts is maintained, except in cases duly justified on grounds of public safety, public health, humanitarian assistance, maintenance of public supply systems or the achievement of public interest. Individuals who provide proof of full vaccination (two doses) against COVID-19 and accompanying children under the age of six are not affected by this movement ban.
The Council of Ministers approved, with amendments, the draft Decree-Law, presented by the Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Fidelis Manuel Leite Magalhães, on the General Bases of Organization of Public Administration. This draft Decree-Law aims to promote coherence in the legislation adopted in administrative matters, in order to promote unity, efficiency and effectiveness of its action. The diploma defines, as a principle of administrative efficiency, that the direct and indirect administration of the State should be organized in such a way as to guarantee maximum efficiency in the use of public resources to satisfy collective needs, according to the public interest and respecting citizens' rights. The direct and indirect administration of the State must be organised in such a way as to effectively fulfil the public interest, and the consideration of any private interest in its organisation is forbidden.
The draft Decree-Law for the first amendment to Decree-Law no. 19/2018, of December 27th, which approved the Organic Law of the Minister for the Affairs of National Liberation Combatants, presented by Minister Júlio Sarmento da Costa "Meta Mali", was approved, with amendments. This amendment aims to improve the implementation capacity of the services of this Ministry, namely the services to National Liberation Combatants and to strengthen the institutional capacity of some of its technical and operational aspects, particularly in terms of capacity building and professional training of human resources or in terms of information technology, protocol and institutional communication.
The Council of Ministers approved the draft Government Resolution, presented by the Minister of Finance, Rui Augusto Gomes, regarding the definition of the composition of the Political Review Committee (known by the acronym CROP) for the 2022 General State Budget. It is the responsibility of the Political Review Committee to verify the strategic allocation of resources of the budget submissions, with a view to achieving the commitments and objectives contained in the strategic documents and to assess the feasibility of the plans for the 2022 financial year. The CROP will be chaired by the Prime Minister and also composed of the Vice Prime Ministers, the Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Education, Youth and Sports, the Minister of Transport and Communications and the Minister of State Administration. The Secretary of State for Equality and Inclusion, the Secretary of State for Youth and Sports, and the Commissioner for Children's Rights will also attend the CROP meetings, as observers. The CROP meetings will be held from 2 to 16 September, at the Ministry of Finance Auditorium.
Finally, the Council of Ministers attended the presentation of the Minister of Education, Youth and Sports, Armindo Maia and the Secretary of State for Youth and Sports, Abrão Saldanha, on the status of the preparation of the XII Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP) Sports Games. This event was foreseen to take place in Timor-Leste, between 10 and 22 July 2020, having been postponed to 2022, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, similar to other sporting events worldwide. Considering that the concerns that dictated the previous postponement of the event remain, the Government recommended the postponement of the XII CPLP Games to 2024. END
- 20 of August of 2021FALINTIL's 46th anniversaryOn this day, August 20th, 2021, on the occasion of the 46th anniversary of the Timor-Leste National Liberation Armed Front (FALINTIL), the 8th Constitutional Government pays tribute and expresses its gratitude to all FALINTIL combatants, especially to all martyrs who sacrificed their lives to achieve freedom and national independence.more
Government Spokesperson, Minister Fidelis Magalhães, stated that "the courage and resilience of our heroes inspires us daily to work tirelessly for the development of our nation". END - 19 of August of 2021Day off on August 20th, 2021 - FALINTIL DayPresidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
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Press Release
Day off on August 20th, 2021 - FALINTIL Day
available soon - 18 of August of 2021Meeting of the Council of Ministers on August 18, 2021Presidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
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Press Release
Meeting of the Council of Ministers on August 18, 2021
The Council of Ministers met, at the Government Palace, in Dili, and deliberated to authorize the Minister of Petroleum and Minerals, Víctor da Conceição Soares, to initiate the necessary and urgent diligences, in view to the possibility of lease with option to purchase, or acquisition, of suitable facilities to accommodate all the services of the Ministry of Petroleum and Minerals, which are currently located in several places throughout the city of Dili.
The draft Government Resolution, presented by the Minister of Finance, Rui Augusto Gomes, to create the Integrated Management Unit for the Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport Development Project (UGIP) was approved. This Unit, which will be under the direct dependence of the Interministerial Commission for the negotiation of financial support for the requalification of Nicolau Lobato International Airport (AINL), is a temporary structure for the implementation of the project that will continue with the centralised technical and strategic management of the execution of the AINL project in all its components and all its phases.
The Council of Ministers decided to authorize the Minister of Finance to negotiate, with the Asian Development Bank, the specific conditions of the loan for the project of modernization of the power supply. Considering that the initial negotiations must be developed by a technical team led by the Ministry of Finance, the Minister of Finance may appoint, by ministerial order, the members to integrate this negotiation team.
After the analysis of the presentation on the point of the national epidemiological situation, given by the Situation Room of the Integrated Centre for Crisis Management, the Council of Ministers decided to propose to His Excellency, the President of the Republic, Francisco Guterres Lú Olo, the renewal of the state of emergency, for another thirty days. Given that the determining causes that justified the declaration of the state of emergency and its renewal remain in place, in order to prevent and neutralize the risks of spread of new strains of SARS-CoV-2 and thus protect public health and the response capacity of the National Health System, the Government proposes to the President of the Republic that, with the renewal of the state of emergency, the suspension or restriction of some fundamental rights and guarantees be allowed.
Also approved were the draft Government Resolution that maintains the imposition of the sanitary fence in the areas covered by Village (Suco) Naimeco, in Pante Macassar Administrative Post, and Village (Suco) Bobometo, in Oesilo Administrative Post, both in Oe-Cusse Ambeno Special Administrative Region, until August 30th, 2021, 11:59 pm.
Thus, the prohibition of movement of persons between the said areas and the other administrative districts is maintained, except in cases duly justified on grounds of public safety, public health, humanitarian assistance, maintenance of public supply systems or the achievement of public interest. Individuals who provide proof of full vaccination (two doses) against COVID-19, as well as accompanying minors under the age of six years are not covered by this movement ban.
The Minister of Finance presented to the Council of Ministers the political-legislative options underlying the proposals for the creation of a food allowance and a transport allowance for public servants. The options presented for the transport allowance foresee the substitution of the attribution of State vehicles for this allowance, significantly reducing management and maintenance costs with vehicles. The options presented for the food allowance foresee the monthly attribution of locally produced food to civil servants. The creation of these two allowances will be subject to review and deliberation at the next meeting of the Executive. END
- 11 of August of 2021Meeting of the Council of Ministers on August 11, 2021Presidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
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Press Release
Meeting of the Council of Ministers on August 11, 2021
The Council of Ministers met at the Government Palace, in Dili and, after analysing the national epidemiological situation presentation, by the Situation Room of the Integrated Centre for Crisis Management, approved:
The draft Government Resolutions that maintain the imposition of a sanitary fence in the Municipalities of Dili and Ermera, until 11:59 pm, on August 26th; and
The draft Government Resolution that maintains the general home confinement of the population of the Administrative Posts of Ermera and Railaco, in the municipality of Ermera, until 11:59 pm, on August 25th.
Thus, the prohibition of movement of people between the municipalities of Dili and Ermera and the other administrative districts is maintained, except in cases duly justified for reasons of public safety, public health, humanitarian assistance, maintenance of public supply systems or the achievement of public interest. Individuals who provide proof of full vaccination (two doses) against COVID-19 as well as accompanying minors under the age of six years are not covered by this travel ban.
In the Administrative Posts of Ermera and Railaco, the imposition of general home confinement is also maintained for all persons residing or currently staying in these two administrative posts in the municipality of Ermera, who must remain in their homes or in their temporary accommodation, including shelter centres, except in the situations previously provided, namely for health reasons, for work, for access to goods and services of primary necessity. Individuals who provide proof of full vaccination (two doses) against COVID-19 are not covered by the imposition of home confinement.
The Council of Ministers approved the draft Decree-Law, presented by the Minister of Public Works, Salvador Soares dos Reis Pires, for the first amendment to Decree-Law 27/2010, of December 22nd, which approved the Legal Regime of Certification and Registration of Civil Construction and Civil Technical Consulting Companies. The purpose of this legislative intervention is to eliminate the limitation that prevented national companies from performing civil construction services worth more than USD 7.5 million.
Finally, the Council of Ministers approved the draft resolution, regarding the review of the value of tariffs, the concession fee and penalties of the Port of Tibar, presented by the Minister of Finance, Rui Augusto Gomes. This project had already been subject to deliberation at the Meeting of the Council of Ministers on July 28th, 2021, however due to the introduction of some changes in the final drafting stage, it became necessary to submit it to a new deliberation of the Council of Ministers.
The revision of these values, with an indexation factor of 1.061, takes into account the decrease in cargo traffic compared to forecasts, the economic reality of recent years, the constraints resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and the will of the concession holder to continue to develop the project and start operating as soon as possible, as well as the fact that the values resulting from the revision are similar to the values that would be in force if the concession holder had started operating on the scheduled date. END
- 04 of August of 2021Meeting of the Council of Ministers on August 4, 2021Presidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
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Press Release
Meeting of the Council of Ministers on August 4, 2021
The Council of Ministers met, at the Government Palace, in Dili, and approved the draft Decree-Law, presented by the Minister of Justice, Manuel Cárceres da Costa, which aims to make the Second Amendment to the Civil Procedure Code, approved by Decree-Law No. 1/2006 of February 21st and amended by Law No. 6/2021 of March 31st. With this Decree-Law, the Government, making use of the legislative authorisation granted by the National Parliament (through Law no. 3/2021, of March 2nd), provides more flexibility to the process reorganisation phase, in particular regarding the preparation of the hearing for discussion and trial, and contributes to the relief of civil justice. With this amendment, the reorganisation phase is maintained as an intermediate procedural phase of the proceedings, but it is no longer necessarily based on the specification and questionnaire, and alternative preparatory schemes are provided for. The selection of the preparatory scheme for the discussion and trial hearing is made by the judge, by non-appealable order, in accordance with the option that concretely proves to be most appropriate to the specific characteristics of the litigation.
The Council of Ministers approved the Second Amendment to decree-law no. 17/2020, of April 30th, which creates a remuneration supplement for public administration employees, agents and workers who perform their professional activity in the prevention or control services of COVID-19, or in conditions of direct exposure to the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
In this amendment, the list of categories of beneficiary workers is revised, given that the universe of workers who perform their respective activity in conditions of direct exposure to the SARS-CoV-2 virus is now broader than that provided for in the previous Decree Law, namely with the inclusion of technicians involved in the vaccination programme against COVID-19, prison guards and gravediggers, among others, who were not covered until now.
The amount of this remuneration supplement, to be funded by the COVID-19 Fund, ranges between 5 and 25 US dollars per day, depending on the degree of risk to which the employees are exposed, in accordance with the table approved with the present decree-law.
The amendments provided for in this Decree-Law shall come into effect from April 30th, 2020, the date of entry into force of the amended Decree-Law.
The right to supplements is extended until December 31st, 2021, without prejudice to the possibility of later extension through new legislative intervention.
The draft Government Decree, presented by the Minister of State Administration, Miguel Pereira de Carvalho, for the first amendment to the Government Decree regarding the remuneration of the Presidents of Municipal Authorities and Municipal Administrators was also approved. The purpose of this decree-law is to adjust the remuneration of the Presidents of Municipal Authorities and Municipal Administrators to the high responsibility that the performance of their office implies, as representatives, at municipal level, of the Central Government, who hold responsibilities over a wide range of services that the Government provides, locally, to citizens. With this draft Government Decree, as of January 2022, Municipal Presidents will receive a monthly remuneration of US$ 1,600, and Municipal Administrators will receive a monthly remuneration of US$ 1,300.
The Council of Ministers approved the draft Government Resolution, also presented by the Minister of State Administration, on the update of voter registration abroad and approval of the schedule for voter registration operations abroad, for the election of the President of the Republic to be held in 2022. The Government's Resolution aims to ensure the conduct of voter registration operations abroad, to enable Timorese citizens residing abroad to exercise their right to vote. The voter registration and update activities will take place between September 3rd, 2021 and January 14th, 2022, which will be a longer period than usual due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to diplomatic missions and consular posts, these activities will also take place at mobile registration posts in Australia, South Korea, Portugal and the United Kingdom.
Lastly, the Council of Ministers also deliberated to approve the draft Government Resolution that imposes a sanitary fence in the areas comprised by the Naimeco Suco (village), in the Administrative Post of Pante Macassar, and by the Bobometo Suco (village), in the Administrative Post of Oesilo, both in the Special Administrative Region of Oe-Cússe Ambeno, between 12:00 am on August 5th, 2021 and 11:59 pm on August 18th, 2021.
Thus, the movement of people between these areas is prohibited, except in cases duly justified for reasons of public safety, public health, humanitarian assistance, maintenance of public supply systems or the achievement of public interest. Individuals who can demonstrate full vaccination (two doses) against COVID-19, as well as minors under six years of age accompanying them, are not covered by this travel ban. END - 30 of July of 2021Extraordinary Meeting of the Council of Ministers of July 30th, 2021Presidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
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Press Release
Extraordinary Meeting of the Council of Ministers of July 30th, 2021
The Council of Minister met, at the Government Palace, in Dili, and started the meeting with the analysis of the presentation of the epidemiological situation in the Municipality of Ermera, given by the Situation Room of the Integrated Centre for Crisis Management.
Given the worsening of the evolution of the epidemic situation in Ermera, with a large increase in the number of diagnosed cases of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in the municipality and in order to safeguard the growing risk of spreading COVID-19, the Council of Ministers approved the draft Government Resolution imposing the general home confinement of the population of the Administrative Posts of Ermera and Railaco, in the municipality of Ermera, between July 31st, 12:00 a.m. and August 11th, 2021, 11:59 p.m.
Thus, the general home confinement of all persons residing or presently in these two administrative posts in the municipality of Ermera, who must remain in their homes or in their temporary accommodation, including shelter centres, is imposed, except in the situations foreseen in this Law, namely, for health reasons, for work, for access to goods and services of basic necessity.
Individuals who provide proof of full vaccination (two doses) against COVID-19 are not covered by the home confinement requirement.
The circulation of Public Transportation is prohibited in the whole area of the administrative posts of Ermera and Railaco, namely microletes, biscotas and angunas.
Collective religious celebrations are prohibited, and the organisation and holding of funeral ceremonies involving the participation of more than ten persons is also prohibited. During these ceremonies, these persons must wear a face mask that covers the nasal and mouth cavities and keep a distance of at least three feet from other persons present at the ceremony.
All commercial, industrial, artisanal or service provision establishments must remain closed to the public, with the exception of establishments authorized in this Government Resolution, namely establishments selling food and other essential goods, electricity, telecommunications, and establishments providing medical care, pharmacies, gas stations and financial institutions.
Restaurants can provide take-away or home delivery meals, and other establishments that are closed to public may develop their activity through home delivery services.
The activity of street food vendors and other essential goods is allowed. The markets in the administrative posts of Ermera and Railaco, remain open between 6 am and 6 pm.
The Council of Ministers also approved a deliberation to direct the Minister of Health and all departments responsible for the vaccination campaign, to mobilize all the necessary resources to intensify the daily number of inoculations in the area of the Municipality of Ermera and, thus, increase the percentage of the population vaccinated in this municipality. END
