Keep up the fight and stay home, Portugal urges as Easter approaches

FILE PHOTO: Augusta street is pictured during partial lockdown as part of state of emergency to combat the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Lisbon, Portugal March 30, 2020. REUTERS/Rafael Marchante

LISBON (Reuters) - With Easter just around the corner, Portugal's government urged people on Tuesday to keep up the fight against the coronavirus, which has already infected thousands across the country, and told them to stay home during the usually busy holiday period.

"We are in an important phase in the fight against the pandemic," Diogo Cruz, deputy director of health authority DGS, told a news conference. "Easter is approaching but we ask everyone to keep following containment measures. We know it's difficult."