The head of state announced the sending of this proposal to parliament in a note posted on the Presidency of the Republic's website, after receiving a favourable opinion from the Government.

"After hearing the Government, which gave a favourable opinion this morning, the President of the Republic sent to the Assembly of the Republic, for its authorization, the draft diploma decreeing the renewal of the state of emergency for 15 days", reads in the note, which encloses the letter and the draft decree sent to parliament.

The state of emergency has been in force in Portugal since 00:00 on 19 March and has already been renewed once. According to the Constitution, it cannot last longer than 15 days, without prejudice to possible renewals with the same time limit.