The Government will strengthen cooperation agreements with the social sector, responsible for old people’s homes or day centres, with €50 million and create a €160 million credit line.
The announcement was made on Monday by the Minister of Labour and Social Security, Ana Mendes Godinho, at the end of a videoconference meeting with the permanent committee of the sector, to try to control the spread of the new coronavirus, especially in old people’s homes, which in recent days have registered cases of Covid-19.
“There will be an immediate upgrading of social sector cooperation agreements for 2020 to the value of €50 million to ensure a more effective response capacity on the part of institutions,” the minister said in statements to journalists.
This is the second meeting held in the last three weeks between these institutions to find measures to control the pandemic that has already killed 23 people in Portugal.
In addition to this funding, a credit line of €160 million has been drawn up, and the government is already reporting to the banks so that it can be distributed.
The aim of the two measures is to guarantee liquidity to social solidarity and charitable institutions – as well as to private individuals.
