Presidency of the Council of Ministers

Eighth Constitutional Government

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Press Release

Meeting of the Council of Ministers on September 8, 2021

The Council of Ministers met at the Auditorium of Ministry of Finance, in Dili and, after analysing the presentation of the country’s epidemiological situation, made by the coordinators of the Situation Room of the Integrated Crisis Management Center (CIGC), decided:

• to lift the imposition of General Compulsory  Confinement (lockdown) of the population of the Municipality of Dili, as of 23:59 on September 9, 2021.
• to maintain the imposition of a sanitary fence in the Municipalities of Baucau, Covalima, Dili and Ermera, until September 22, 2021;

• to lift the imposition of a sanitary fence in the areas covered by the Naimeco village, in the administrative post of Pante Macassar, and by the Bobometo village, in the administrative post of Oesilo, both in the Special Administrative Region of Oe-Cusse Ambeno, from 23:59 on September   8, 2021.

• The imposition of a sanitary fence in the Municipality of Manufahi, in force until September 15, 2021, is unchanged.

Thus, the prohibition of entry and exit from the municipalities of Baucau, Covalima, Dili, Ermera and Manufahi is maintained, except for reasons of public safety, public health, humanitarian assistance, maintenance of public supply systems or public interest. This prohibition does not apply to people who provide proof of full vaccination (two doses) against COVID-19, as well as those under six years of age who accompany them.

The Council of Ministers re-analysed the development plan for the restructuring and modernization of the Port of Dili, which had already been subject to deliberation at the Council of Ministers’ Meeting on July 28, 2021, however due to the introduction of some changes in the phase of final writing, it became necessary to submit it to a new deliberation. The Council of Ministers expressed its preference for adopting the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) financing modality, to be developed in accordance with the legal and regulatory framework in force. The Council of Ministers also axpressed its prefference for urbanic model identified in the ‘Premium Option’ of the preliminary study, conducted by APORTIL and USAID. The development plan for the restructuring and modernization of the Port of Dili foresees that after transferring the functions of cargo port to the new port of Tibar, it will be converted into a marina and cruise port. This is a project of national importance given its location in a central and vital strategic area in the city of Dili, its function as a maritime link to the populations of Oe-cusse Ambeno and Ataúro, and its potential to be a driving force for maritime tourism in Timor-Leste.

The Council of Ministers granted full powers to the Minister of Transport and Communications to sign the Air Services Agreement between Brunei Darussalam and the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste. This agreement aims to boost connectivity between Timor-Leste and the rest of the world and will allow airlines designated by the two countries to be authorized to operate air transport services between the both countries.

Finally, the Minister of State Administration, Miguel Pereira de Carvalho, presented to the Council of Ministers the political-legislative options underlying the creation of multi-purpose reception centers   in responding to emergency situations. The options presented aim at the creation in each administrative division (municipalities and RAEOA) of at least one public infrastructure, specifically intended to serve as a temporary reception center for victims of serious accidents and natural disasters. THE END