Meeting of the Council of Ministers on December 3, 2020
Presidency of the Council of Ministers
Eighth Constitutional Government
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Press Release
Meeting of the Council of Ministers on December 3, 2020
The Council of Ministers met, at the Government Palace, in Dili, and approved the Government Decree draft, presented by the Prime Minister, Taur Matan Ruak, on the state of emergency’s implementing measures, renewed by the President of Republic’s decree No. 70/2020, of December 3rd, to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The state of emergency, now renewed, covers the entire national territory and is in force between 00:00 a.m. on December 4th, 2020, and 11.59 p.m. on January 2nd, 2021.
The Government Decree determines that all those who are in the national territory should seek to adopt and promote the adoption of social distance of behaviour, namely avoiding participating in crowds, maintaining a distance of, at least, five feet between each person, with whom they do not live in a common economy, use a face mask to cover the nose and mouth when have to stay in closed spaces for collective use, and clean their hands frequently, especially when they come into contact with objects, namely money, and when they intend to enter commercial stores or buildings where public administration services operate.
It remains mandatory that all individuals wishing to enter or leave the national territory are subject to health control. It also remains mandatory for prophylactic isolation (quarantine) with a minimum duration of fourteen days, and testing for COVID-19, for citizens wishing to enter the country, who have symptoms of COVID-19 or who have had contact with individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2. Expenses related to prophylactic isolation are borne by each individuals when the prophylactic isolation is carried out in a private health establishment, residence or private isolation centre.
The ban on land border crossings for traditional or customary purposes and for access to regulated markets is also maintained, while maintaining the respective sanctions. The entry of foreigners into national territory, across land borders, remains subject to prior authorization.
During the period of the state of emergency, all licenses, authorizations and other administrative acts and documents remain valid, regardless of their expiration date. END
