***Covid19 in Portugal - Update: 10:00, Sunday 15th March 2020***

At the time of writing, there are 169 confirmed cases of Coronavirus in Portugal, with 1 recovered case, no deaths, and 1,704 suspected cases.

This compares to a global picture of 157,292 confirmed cases, 5,844 deaths and 75,941 recoveries.

New directives include all bars now closing by 21:00, by order of the government, and with immediate effect, until at least 9th April.

Lidl stores will start to close at 7pm in an effort to limit public access and "minimize the risk of contagion".

The 'state of alert' stands throughout the country, putting civil protection resources and security forces and services on standby with the intention that that the upward curve of the epidemic can be stopped as much as possible.

A key message is that if we do not change behaviour, health professionals and the health service (SNS) will not be able to cope.

Prime Minister, António Costa, has warned that the coronavirus is “the struggle for our own survival”. He said we should “assume that this pandemic on the European continent, and, particularly in Portugal, has not yet reached its peak”.

“On the contrary, it is evolving so that it is very likely that in the coming weeks more patients will be infected, perhaps with more serious consequences for their health and for their own life and that this may be more lasting than initially estimated,” he admitted, according to The Portugal News.

Costa said must “hope for the best”, but everyone must “be prepared for the worst”.

“The biggest responsibility of each one of us is to take care of the other”, he appealed, insisting on the need to respect the rules of hygiene and limit the "maximum level of circulation and social contact".

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From my perspective here in Central Portugal (the town of Curia in the Aveiro District) the atmosphere has certainly changed with serious impact on supermarket stocks.

Though people are still visiting and moving around the town, there are special arrangements in smaller shops, limiting customer flow and personal distance. Staff are wearing masks in the local pharmacy and customers are asked to stand in line, well-spaced, and behind a line.

That said, the atmosphere remains buoyant and positive, the older locals shake their heads in disbelief, whilst chatting with humour, going about their lives practically and positively.

The sun is shining, the air fresh, thankfully.

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A positive 'viral' story to share is the #viralkindness postcard, as pictured, the idea of Becky Wass in Falmouth, UK, who "wanted to do something to help, but without making things worse.”

Perhaps a Portuguese translation would be great for expats who'd like to reach out to their local community? Any help gratefully received.

Boa Sorte, Saude...

Carl Munson