DÍLI, August 31, 2020 (TATOLI) – Timor-Leste State Council has recommended to the president to request for another approval from the parliament regarding the need to extend the state of emergency by another month as a number of covid-19 cases has been increasing in the neighboring country.
“During the meeting, we have discussed the proposal from the Government to request for the extension of State Emergency. The State Council has recommended to the president to issue a letter to Parliament to ask for their approval,” said the President’s Chief of Staff of the Republic, Francisco Vasconcelos, at the Presidential Palace.
Mr. Vasconcelos said, President Lu Olo will be able to issue the State Emergency renewal after the parliament approved the proposal.
According to him, the extension of the state of emergency is needed due to the number of active cases has been increasing in the neighboring country, Indonesia.
“The state of emergency will be the same as the previous one, keeping the focus on entry points, such as airports, ports and borders,” he said.
According to Mr. Vasconcelos, President Lu Olo will forward the letter to the Parliament asking for the State Emergency approval after the meeting with the Superior from Defense and Security Council (CSDS) at the office of president, Aitarak Laran Dili.
Journalist: Domingos Piedade Freitas
Editor: Zezito Silva/Nick Kettle
