Media Releases
- 22 of March of 2020COVID-19 prevention and control measures - Ministry of Higher Education, Science and CulturePresidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
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Dili, March 22, 2020
Press Release
COVID-19 prevention and control measures
Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Culture
available soon 
22 of March of 2020Determination of Extraordinary Vacations for all Schools across the country from 23 to 28 March 2020Presidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
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Dili, March 22, 2020
Press Release
Determination of Extraordinary Vacations for all Schools across the country from 23 to 28 March 2020
Today, March 22, 2020, the Minister of Education, Youth and Sport, after coordinating with the Prime Minister's Office and the Ministry of Health, determined an Extraordinary Teaching Interruption for all public schools and private schools that are part of the public network (Catholic Schools and Foundations), between 23 and 28 March, through the Ministerial Order 9/GM-MEJD/III/2020.
This decision was taken on the basis of the powers of the Minister for Education, Youth and Sport in relation to the determination of the school calendar, in accordance with Article 5 of Decree-Law 3/2015 of 14 January and 4/2015 of 14 January.
The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport is also developing distance learning-teaching mechanisms, which we hope can start to be implemented next week.
According to the recommendations of the Ministry of Health, I would like to emphasize that this SCHOOL BREAK in the week of March 23 to 28, IS NOT TO PLAY, BUT TO STAY AT HOME AND COMPLY with the hygiene standards that were published by MEJD in Order No. 3/2020, as well as the official rules of the Ministry of Health. Therefore, I ask for the understanding of all parents and guardians to BAN the movements of your children on the street.
The MEJD remains in close coordination with the Ministry of Health and the other relevant Ministries to ensure that the education system supports the safety and health of all.
I ask you to remain calm, to trust in God, and to be careful of your body. I ASK STUDENTS to REST a lot, eat well-cooked food, wash hands often and avoid walking hand in hand, kissing, asking/giving the blessing and other physical contacts. They shouldn't spit on the floor either. The most important thing is to relax and enjoy time with the family. Share family stories, plant a family garden, sing together, and enjoy and love each other within the family.
IF YOU FEEL DRY COUGH OR SNEEZING, WITH FEVER, PLEASE CONTACT CLINICS, HOSPITALS OR HEALTH PERSONNEL.
THE MEJD WILL REEVALUATE THIS INTERRUPTION, WHEN IT ENDS, AND WILL THEN INFORM PARENTS AND PARENTS.
Thank you very much and God bless us.
ENDS
20 of March of 2020Exceptional and temporary measures relating to the epidemiological situation of the new CoronavirusPresidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
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Dili, March 20, 2020
Press Release
Exceptional and temporary measures relating to the epidemiological situation of the new Coronavirus
In order to contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus to the national territory, the Government approved, through Government Resolution No.10/2020 of March 19, a set of measures of a temporary and extraordinary nature, including the prohibition of entry into national territory, to all foreign citizens who in the last four weeks have departed or transited through countries with registered cases of infection by COVID-19, according to information published and updated daily by the World Health Organization .
This prohibition does not apply to foreign citizens who were born in Timorese territory and who habitually reside here or who are legal representatives of minors of Timorese nationality or third-party nationals residing in Timor-Leste over whom they exercise parental power or ensure their livelihood and education. The Prime Minister, in duly substantiated cases, related to the defense of the national interest or convenience of service, may authorize the entry of foreigners into national territory.
It is also forbidden to disembark cruise ship passengers unless they are Timorese citizens or foreign citizens who are in one of the situations described above.
Under the government resolution approved, it is also prohibited to all human resources of the Direct and Indirect Administration of the State to take service trips outside the national territory.
Urgent medical evacuations and supplies of medicines, materials and hospital supplies are ensured on a sanitary and/or humanitarian basis.
For the purposes of sea or air transport and release of goods at Ports or Airports, foreign citizens, in charge of and under the responsibility of the carrier, may only remain in the "International Zone".
All nationals and foreign nationals covered by these exceptions, arriving in Timor-Leste by air, land or sea, shall be in voluntary quarantine for a minimum period of fourteen days and shall inform the authorities who are present at border posts of the place where they will be isolated.
The measures to prohibit entry to all foreign citizens, provided for in the resolution adopted, will be reviewed monthly, with a view to their maintenance or elimination. ENDS
18 of March of 2020Meeting of the Council of Ministers of March 18, 2020Presidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
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Press Release
Meeting of the Council of Ministers of March 18, 2020
The Council of Ministers met at the Government Palace in Dili and approved a draft law, presented by the Acting Minister of Finance, Sara Lobo Brites, for the request to the National Parliament for Authorization to Carry out a Extraordinary Transfer from the Petroleum Fund in the amount of two hundred and fifty million U.S. dollars, during the duration of the duodecimal regime of budget execution, in order to ensure financial conditions for the functioning of the Public Administration.
The Minister of Legislative Reform and Parliamentary Affairs, Fidelis Manuel Leite Magalhães, replacing the Minister of State of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, presented the draft Decree-Law, approved by the Council of Ministers, on the assignment of contractual position between public entities. This Decree-Law regulates the transfer of a contractual position from a legal person under public law to another legal person under public law in the context of a contract with reciprocal benefits. This law applies to all public contracts concluded by public entities in Timor-Leste with a view to the supply of goods, execution of works or provision of services for public purposes.
The Acting Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Fidelis Manuel Leite Magalhães, gave a presentation on the situation of the economy and food reserves in the country. The data presented on essential items, such as rice, wheat and fuel, indicate that there are sufficient reserves in the national territory for several months, with no risk of stock breakage. Measures are also being put in place to combat price speculation and product hoarding. The Government is also buying more 3,800 tons of rice to increase the national reserve.
The Council of Ministers heard a presentation of the Technical Working Group to respond to the impacts of the floods of 13 March 2020 on the extraordinary measures necessary for the rehabilitation of the affected areas, presented by the Minister Of Public Works, Salvador Soares dos Reis Pires, together with the Ministry of Planning and Strategic Investment and with the Board of Directors of the Infrastructure Fund. The floods in various parts of the city of Dili caused extensive material damage, leaving hundreds of families displaced. Data on all damage and intervention needs was presented so as to restore road mobility, continuing to provide electricity safely and ensuring the repair of water supply systems damaged, and, above all, carry out urgent work of cleaning drainages, normalization and sad removal of streams and construction of retaining walls that prevent the events of last Friday from repeating during this rainy season. The Working Group is composed of the General Directorate of Public Works that leads it through its Director General, and also includes the National Development Agency, the General Directorate of Water and Sanitation, the Institute of Equipment Management, I.P. and the National Procurement Commission.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Dionísio Babo Soares, presented to the Council of Ministers the state of play of the national preparedness for the Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19). The various ongoing measures for the prevention and control of Coronavirus were presented, including the training of health professionals from all over the country, activities to raise awareness of the population, purchase of ventilators, preparation of isolation sites and hospital centers, health screening at border posts, among others. Several extraordinary measures were also discussed to be implemented in order to contain the outbreak, depending on the declaration of the State of Emergency. So far there is no confirmed case of COVID-19 in Timor-Leste. The World Health Organization has so far counted 184,976 confirmed cases of Coronavirus in 159 countries and territories, killing 7,529 people. The clinical signs and symptoms of COVID-19 are mainly respiratory, such as fever, cough and breathing difficulties. In patients in a more serious condition, the infection can cause pneumonia and even fatal complications. ENDS- 17 of March of 2020Government appeals to the population to Keep Calm in Relation to Pandemic COVID-19Presidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
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Press Release
Government appeals to the population to Keep Calm in Relation to Pandemic COVID-19
available soon - 16 of March of 2020Tolerance days-off on March 17 and 18, 2020Presidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
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Press Release
Tolerance days-off on March 17 and 18, 2020
The Council of Ministers decided to grant tolerance days-off on March 17 and 18 so that everyone can participate in the clean-up and recovery actions of the damage caused by last Friday's floods. Tolerance days-ff apply only in the municipality of Dili and do not apply to essential services such as security, health, civil protection, etc. The Ministries shall expressly indicate which services are considered essential. Staff should remain permanently in contact if they are required for service. ENDS 
16 of March of 2020Extraordinary Meeting of the Council of Ministers of 16 March 2020Presidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
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Press Release
Meeting of the Council of Ministers of March 16, 2020
The Council of Ministers met at the Government Palace in Dili and decided to request his Excellency the President of the Republic to declare the State of Emergency, due to the worrying developments in the epidemiological situation and the proliferation of recorded cases of contagion of COVID-19 on a global scale, which require the implementation of extraordinary and urgent measures to stop the pandemic. In this sense, the Council of Ministers also adopted a Government Resolution with a set of measures aimed at intensifying the prevention and awareness of the population. Other measures to be approved after the declaration of the State of Emergency were also discussed.
The members of the Council of Ministers also examined the damage caused by last Friday's torrential rains. The heavy flooding caused major property damage throughout the city of Dili, with thousands affected, hundreds displaced, some injured and one dead. The necessary measures for the recovery of flood damage and support for the affected population were analyzed. The Council of Ministers also examined a set of short and long-term measures to minimise the effects of torrential rains in the future.
Finally, the Council of Ministers decided to grant tolerance days-off on March 17 and 18 so that everyone can participate in the clean-up and recovery actions of the damage caused by last Friday's floods. Tolerance days-ff apply only in the municipality of Dili and do not apply to essential services such as security, health, civil protection, etc. The Ministries shall expressly indicate which services are considered essential. Staff should remain permanently in contact if they are required for service. ENDS- 11 of March of 2020Meeting of the Council of Ministers of March 11, 2020Presidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
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Press Release
Meeting of the Council of Ministers of March 11, 2020
The Council of Ministers met at the Government Palace in Dili and approved the Draft Law, presented by the Acting Minister of Finance, Sara Lobo Brites, on the approval of the 3rd amendment to Law No. 13/2009 of October 21 on Budget and Financial Management. This changes Article 31 on the duodecimal regime and provides for a set of exceptions and easing rules, allowing full compliance with state obligations.
The Council of Ministers approved a draft Government Resolution, presented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Dionísio da Costa Babo Soares, for the extension of the application and implementation of temporary interdiction measures and restriction of entry into national territory of foreign citizens, who in the last four weeks have left or been in transit in the People's Republic of China, the Republic of Korea, the Italian Republic and the Islamic Republic of Iran. Considering the risk associated with the rapid spread of the new coronavirus, the interdiction measures defined in accordance with this Resolution are reviewed every two weeks with a view to their maintenance or elimination. Under this Government Resolution, the Acting Minister of Health was also mandated to re-instruct the competent services of the Ministry of Health to, in coordination with the relevant ministerial lines, act in accordance with the protocols established by the World Health Organization.
The Minister of Public Works, Salvador Soares dos Reis Pires, presented a draft Decree-Law, approved by the Council of Ministers that creates the National Authority for Electricity and approves its Statutes. Through it, a Public Institute is created that will have as its main function to raise the quality of public electricity supply services, through its supervision and monitoring, providing the public with continuous information on the quality of the public service provided. The Regulation of the sector will provide a qualitative improvement in its operation, establish installation rules and technical standards to ensure the safety of people and goods.
The Minister of Public Works also presented a draft Decree-Law, approved by the Council of Ministers, which creates the Public Electricity Company of Timor-Leste, E.P. (EDTL, EP) and approves its Statutes. EDTL, EP will have as its main function the improvement of the quality of the services provided for electricity supply. Through a public company specialized in the electricity sector it will be possible to plan and manage the sector with greater agility, repairing or replacing existing infrastructures, expanding the supply network and applying best practices in the operation with a view to obtaining more revenue by applying the user pays principle. Further improving communication with consumers, raising awareness of the correct and prudent use of these services, establishing effective supervision of illegal connections and connecting with automatic or prepaid counting systems all Consumers.
The Acting Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Fidelis Manuel Leite Magalhães, gave a presentation to the Council of Ministers on the Process of Accession of Timor-Leste to the World Trade Organization (WTO) – Questions and Answers concerning the "Memorandum on the Timor-Leste External Trade Regime" (MFTR). This presentation to the Council of Ministers aimed to share the main issues raised by some WTO member countries, as well as information on the first round of negotiations. All responses are based on policies and legal texts in force in Timor-Leste. The Council of Ministers authorised the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, as Chief Negotiator of the WTO accession process, to formally submit to the WTO Secretariat the Document on Questions and Answers on the MFTR and also encouraged the Chief Negotiator of the WTO Accession Process to proceed with the preparatory actions necessary for the first round of accession negotiations within the Working Group.
Finally, the members of the Council of Ministers heard a presentation by the Acting Minister of Health, Élia António de Araújo dos Reis Amaral, to analyze the state of play of the prevention and control measures of the new Coronavirus (COVID-19). The General Directorate of Health Provision (DGPS), of the Ministry of Health, is monitoring the epidemiological situation under technical guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO) and has worked closely with the National Health Laboratory, the Guido Valadares National Hospital, the authorities responsible for the control and management of ports of entry, as well as other structures to support the management of outbreak prevention and control measures in Timor-Leste. The Acting Minister of Health presented the activities already carried out since January and the contingency plan that defines the level of response and action to minimize the risks of transmission by COVID-19 in Timor-Leste. It also presented the state of play of the preparation of the sites for isolation, quarantine and treatment, the protocol of sending samples of patients with suspected COVID-19 to Australia and the protocol of medical intervention to be performed in the case of positive cases. ENDS
