António Sales, who was speaking at the daily press conference on the covid-19 pandemic, at the Ministry of Health, in Lisbon, guaranteed that Portugal "is prepared for this [mitigation] phase" and that other orders are coming.

"We are prepared for this phase (of mitigation). 5,000 of the 80,000 predicted have arrived and the rest will arrive at the beginning of next week. There are still 30,000 in stock" and several orders are coming, both for individual protection material and testing, said António Sales.

The minister recalled that Portugal is now in a phase with community transmission, that "the entire health system is ready to respond to covid-19 patients" and underlined that "the SNS24 remains the gateway"

"This new phase will force each of us to increase our care. It is crucial that people do not get sick all the time and keep social contacts to a minimum," he said.

The minister also said that the National Health Service (SNS) has been activating intervention plans for mental health in the context of catastrophe and that the health regions of the Algarve, Alentejo, Lisbon and Vale do Tejo, Centro and Norte already have plans of these assets, "which allows an integrated response with different levels of care".

"Psychological support for health professionals is also ensured", assured the Secretary of State, recalling that "the pandemic has put all health services to the test" and concluding: "We have reason to be proud of our NHS, whether of hospitals , or from health centers, emergency medical services and the health professionals that comprise it ".