The Council of Rectors of Portuguese Universities (CRUP), in plenary session on March 10, 2020, at the University of Beira Interior, analyzed the evolution of the situation regarding COVID-19, as well as the indications expressed by the national health authority .
A Press Release has been issued after the session (Press Release available here in portuguese) .
The CRUP notes that people identified as contacts with suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been contacted and monitored by the health authority and subjected to prophylactic isolation.
The permanent interaction with the health authorities results in the conviction that, until now, there are no public health reasons that justify the closure of university institutions' facilities, similarly to what happens with most sectors of activity in Portugal.
Given that until now only schools/buildings where positive coronavirus cases have been identified have been closed, CRUP will await the decision resulting from the meeting between the Government and the National Council of Public Health, scheduled for tomorrow, March 11th.
The CRUP will remain attentive to the development of the situation and will take all measures deemed necessary by the health authorities for the protection of the community.
CRUP renews its appeal to the academic community of the different institutions to continue to observe the basic hygiene and social distance measures recommended by national and international health authorities to contain the spread of COVID-19.