Portugal takes more aggressive measures to fight coronavirus epidemic
Portugal's health authority announced on Friday that from next week anyone entering the country from abroad must self-quarantine for 14 days as its number of confirmed coronavirus cases surpassed the 1,000 mark.
Regional authorities will be allowed to make exceptions in lower-risk situations.
"Today we will announce a new rule. From next week, whoever enters Portugal must stay in isolation for 14 days," Graca Freitas, head of the DGS health directorate, told a news conference.
She did not specify exactly when the measure would come into effect or whether breaking it would be considered a crime.
Other countries across the globe have adopted similar preventive measures to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
"Health authorities in the region where people are arriving will be allowed to conduct a more precise evaluation of the risk and make exceptions," Freitas said.
Portugal has 1,020 confirmed cases of coronavirus, with six reported deaths, far below other southern European countries such as Italy and Spain.
Portugal declared a state of emergency on Wednesday to combat the outbreak, closing non-essential businesses and implementing capacity restrictions for those remaining open.
On Friday, people queued at pharmacies and supermarkets, one meter apart on otherwise deserted streets, stocking up on food and medicine.
The health ministry expects cases of the virus to rise exponentially until at least the end of April.
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