The most relaxed president in the world? Portugal’s Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa queues in his local supermarket while wearing a facemask and shorts
- President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa was seen in a supermarket near Lisbon
- Local media reported that he was sending a message of normality to citizens
- On Monday, cafes and restaurants reopened with 50 percent capacity
- Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19
The President of Portugal has been snapped casually queuing in a supermarket while wearing a face mask and maintaining social distancing measures.
A photo of Portuguese president Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa queuing in a supermarket in the municipality of Cascais near the capital Lisbon has been widely shared on social media after being posted on Sunday.
According to local media, both Rebelo de Sousa and Prime Minister Antonio Costa are trying to send a message of normality to Portuguese citizens as the country starts lifting its COVID-19 lockdown measures.
Portuguese president Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa queuing in a supermarket in the municipality of Cascais near the capital Lisbon on Sunday
On Monday, cafes and restaurants reopened with 50 percent capacity after many weeks of closure and Costa visited one of Lisbon’s most popular cafes in the district of Benfica.
He told reporters: ‘I really missed taking coffee outside. The nice weather helps!’
The prime minister added: ‘The freedom to go outside has increased.’
Portugal’s Prime Minister, Antonio Costa was also seen out and about on Monday, enjoying breakfast at a pastry shop with president of the parish council Antonio Cardoso and his assistant secretary of state Tiago Antunes.
Portugal’s Prime Minister, Antonio Costa (2-L), exchanges views with the president of the parish council Antonio Cardoso (R) and his assistant secretary of state Tiago Antunes (3-L) during breakfast at a pastry shop in Lisbon, 18 May 2020
Portugal’s Prime Minister, Antonio Costa (C), and the president of the parish council Antonio Cardoso (L), arrive for breakfast at a pastry shop in Sao domingos de Benfica, in Lisbon, 18 May 2020
Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa, right, and Speaker of Parliament Eduardo Ferro Rodrigues have lunch at a restaurant in Lisbon, Monday, May 18, 2020
According to reports, Costa then enjoyed lunch with representatives of Portugal’s Hotel and Restaurant Association who suggested 11 proposals to help revitalise the hard-hit sector following two months of lockdown.
Meanwhile, the Directorate-General of Health of Portugal said that there has been an increase of 223 in the number of COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours and 16 new deaths bringing the total to 1,247.