2021-01-13 15:35:20 GMT2021-01-13 23:35:20(Beijing Time) Xinhua English LISBON, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Portuguese Parliament on Wednesday approved the extension of a "state of emergency for another 15 days, until Jan. 30, to contain the COVID-19 pandemic." After parliament's endorsement, President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa decreed the measures. The extension has a very urgent and specific goal: trying to contain and reverse the rapid spread of the virus, visible, in recent days, in the number of new cases, hospitalizations, in intensive care and, even more, in the number of dead, he said in a note published on the Presidency's website. This is the ninth state of emergency decree since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The measures authorize the state to suspend rights, freedoms and guarantees.