Dear friends,
This year, we are experiencing an Easter season in very different circumstances than usual and with a particular impact on our emigrants.
Many people who spend the year outside of Portugal will return to our country during this period. It is a time of celebration to relive their homesickness and see family and friends.
This year, however, we are all called to play an important role: preventing the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.
For this reason, this Easter will have to be different, without the physical proximity of other years. This distance is, however, a gesture of love to protect those we love most.
Portuguese emigrants know the meaning of the word sacrifice well. They do it daily for their loved ones, living and working far from their country.
This additional effort, as we know, is understood and accepted by the overwhelming majority, but it is essential that we ALL comply.
It is important that we do not think that one person does not make a difference, because they can. Whether for better, staying at home, or for worse, taking the risk of coming to Portugal.
We must not forget that many of our towns and villages have an ageing population that is particularly vulnerable. It is the responsibility of all of us to protect them, especially when our parents or grandparents are the first to insist that we visit them.
Fortunately, the times we live in now also allow us to find alternatives to ease our longing. Instead of a hug, we will have to resort to a phone call or a video call with our family or dear friends.
We know that restrictions on coming to Portugal are not the only difficulty of this crisis.
In this challenging time for everyone, both personally, professionally and often economically, I want you to know that we are attentive and monitoring the situation in our communities through our consulates and embassies.
Our diplomatic and consular network has received clear guidance from the Minister of Foreign Affairs to closely monitor the situation of our communities during this period of crisis and we will not fail to take the necessary measures to support those who need it most.
Even from a distance, we are close. Our hearts are with all the Portuguese men and women spread throughout the world.
Happy Easter and, certainly, very soon we will all be able to be together.
