As countries around the world seal off their borders in response to the coronavirus pandemic, another set of lines are being redrawn within – around those considered members of society and those who simply take up space.

Already lacking the protections of their home countries, refugees, asylum seekers and migrants have been often overlooked in government responses to the coronavirus. From Singapore to Gulf states, the majority of countries have notably left migrants out of their virus-control strategies, leaving an already vulnerable community to fend for themselves. But there is one exception: Portugal.

In late March, Portugal said it would treat all migrants and asylum seekers with pending applications as residents. This effectively gave migrants and asylum seekers access to welfare benefits, work and rental contracts and perhaps most importantly the national health care system, until June 30.

"In this very extraordinary moment, we need to make sure that migrants, asylum seekers and refugees are not deprived of their rights to health, social security, housing and employment, just because their application has not yet been processed," wrote Joni Francisco, spokesperson for Portugal's Ministry of Internal Affairs, in an email.

The policy is also meant to ensure the country's public health efforts can be followed by all. In a time of crisis, it is Portugal's duty as a society to guarantee protection to those who choose to live in the country, "irrespective of their origin," said Francisco. "By protecting them, we are protecting all."

Leaving migrants vulnerable

Portugal's measure stands in stark contrast to other parts of the world, where the failure to adequately protect migrant workers has undermined containment efforts, putting the entire country at risk. 

After being lauded for its initial response to the coronavirus, Singapore is now dealing with a surge in new cases, stemming from cramped migrant worker dormitories. As of Tuesday, 88 percent of Singapore's 14,446 cases were linked to dorms housing migrants. Cramped quarters and unsanitary conditions have made the dormitories ideal places for the coronavirus to spread.

A surging virus has also found high rates of infection among foreigners in Kuwait, the UAE and Bahrain, where official figures suggest almost all the cases are among non-citizens.

In India, the country's internal migrants were initially left stranded when lockdown measures were put in place. Without jobs and modes of transportation, migrants earlier this month began to trek hundreds of miles back to their home villages, with some dying during the journey, noted the United Nations human rights agency. The country is now trying to document its migrant workers in order to ensure they get government assistance.

A 'humanist approach' to immigration

Against this backdrop, Portugal's move has been one of the most inclusive measures by a country so far. "It's been a very positive sign and gesture towards both asylum seekers and also migrants," said Pal Nesse, a senior adviser at the Norwegian Refugee Council.

In many ways, the measure is not a surprise for a country like Portugal, which has maintained an open attitude to migration. Unlike other European countries, where the debate around migration is centered around reducing the number of migrants, Portugal has taken the stance that immigration is a positive.

In January, the government celebrated the milestone of hitting half a million immigrants. In 2015, it also unveiled a strategic plan to encourage more migration to the country and is consistently ranked among the top countries in the Migrant Integration Policy Index.

This attitude isn't anything specific to its national character, said João Peixoto, a sociologist and professor at the Lisbon School of Economics and Management at the University of Lisbon. "Contrary to other European countries, the Portuguese population is more worried about unemployment and health than with immigration."

When asked about criticism of the measure to extend temporary citizenship rights, Francisco, the interior ministry spokesperson, repeated a similar sentiment. "This type of criticism that you mention does not have the dimension that is seen in other countries."

Part of the significance of the measure is the country's recognition that "some immigrants, even with an irregular status, are contributing to the economy, and have roots in the country," said Peixoto. "In my view, it is a humanist approach to immigration."

Addressing gaps in implementation

From an implementation standpoint, the measure gives those who qualify access to two key things: A health system number, and a social security number for government benefits.

However, one of the biggest challenges to accessing these benefits is the language barrier. Many health centers do not have translation services and most only speak Portuguese. Migrants "are not allowed to take anyone with them (because of the virus), so we cannot even provide assistance in translation," said Gabriela Faria, founder of the Lisbon Project, an organization that works with the migrant community in Portugal.

Recognizing the importance of the measure, awareness continues to be a key need, "Most migrants are still unaware of the decision that was made and its implications," said Faria. Though information is widespread, almost all of it is in Portuguese. Researching the ins and outs of the new law, translating and communicating it to the community has been a gap in the measure. "We are constantly having to explain the new law," she said.

Lockdowns and quarantines have left many migrants who work mainly in the hospitality and agricultural sectors unemployed. Without incomes, their living costs remain.

"Although the new law will help them have rights (including being hired without a card), they were not working before, they cannot work right now while the state of emergency lasts, they have no money, no savings, and are desperate. In my view, these people will either go hungry or be forced to return to their countries," said Faria.

(Cover photo: Prime Minister Antonio Costa delivers a speech at the end of a ceremony to swear in Portugal's new government at Lisbon's Ajuda Palace, October 26, 2019. /AP)