Pandemic forces Portugal into new state of emergency

Portugal has entered a state of emergency, with curfews imposed in the areas worst hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Monday, residents in the capital, Lisbon, woke up to a foggy morning and newspaper headlines outlining the new measures.

Some expressed support for the measures, hoping it would be enough to prevent a total lockdown.

From Monday and for at least two weeks, some 7 million people - around 70% of the country's population - must remain at home on weekdays between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m..

At weekends, they cannot leave home after 1 p.m..

The government has warned that the state of emergency, which grants authorities special powers, may be prolonged and measures may be tightened if the spread of the new coronavirus does not slow.

The number of virus cases and hospital admissions in Portugal has climbed sharply in recent weeks.

The country has seen 2,896 virus-related deaths.

(Image Credit: AP)