The Decree of the President of the Republic 81/20, of 25 March, declared a state of emergency (“State of Emergency”) on the grounds that the Republic of Angola faced an imminent public health calamity, throughout its territory, caused by the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) epidemic.

The State of Emergency was originally declared for a period of 15 days, from 27 March to 11 April 2020.  Presidential Decree 97/20, of 9 April 2020, then extended the State of Emergency and the exceptional and temporary measures designed to prevent and control the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, as previously established in Presidential Decree 82/20. The new decree extended the State of Emergency for a further 15 days, from 00:00 on 11 April 2020 to 23:59 on 25 April 2020, with no change to the measures adopted (suspension of rights).

This Presidential Decree suspended and/or limited the exercise of certain rights, freedoms and guarantees, in particular:

• the right of residence, movement and migration to any part of Angolan territory;
• the right of international travel;
• property rights and rights of private enterprise;
• the general rights of workers;
• the right to strike;
• the right of assembly and demonstration; and
• the right of free collective worship.

ADCA has prepared a comprehensive guide to anaylse the rules and measures applied. This guide will be updated periodically in accordance with the new laws of the State of Emergency in Angola.