Algarve Situation Report Wednesday 19th August 2020
Almancil – GNR Breaks up an illegal party with more than 200 people attending
The Faro Territorial Command, through the Territorial Detachment of Loulé, on August 16, stopped an illegal party with more than 200 people, in the locality of Almancil.
In the course of several complaints informing the realization of a private party, the military of the Guard carried out several actions with a view to ascertaining the location of the event, having determined the exact location, and so proceeded to inspect the party. The event was widely publicized by the organizing company on social networks, with exclusive entrance for customers with table reservation and the location transmitted only 12 hours before its start, with several guest artists.
Promoters of the event were previously alerted by GNR to the measures in force due to the pandemic COVID-19 and warned not to hold the party. In addition, the Health Authority was asked to give an opinion, which was negative, as all preventive, protective and safety measures required for such an event were not safeguarded.
Nevertheless, the organizers continued with the event, with the GNR military arriving at the place and ending the party immediately, ordering all people to leave the place. The operation had the reinforcement of the Intervention and Public Order Group (GIOP) and the Cinotechnical Intervention Group (GIC) (Dog Unit).
The event organizers were identified and the facts forwarded to the Loulé Judicial Court.
Hotel occupancy with the lowest value ever for the month of July
Figures revealed yesterday by the Association of Hotels and Tourist Enterprises of the Algarve (AHETA) account for falls in all markets. Portuguese and Spanish vacationers gave some encouragement to the high season 2020.
The average national occupancy rate / room was 32.6 percent, that is, 50.9 percentage points (pp) below that seen in July 2019 (-61.0 percent). Since January, this indicator has been 63.2 percent lower (-38.5pp) than in the previous year.
According to the latest data released by the Association of Hotels and Tourist Enterprises of the Algarve (AHETA), on Monday, August 17, the average occupancy rate / bed was 32.0 percent, 2.0pp above the verified in July 2019 (+5.9 percent) With the decrease seen, the occupancy rate registered the lowest value ever for the month of July.
This year-on-year variation is justified by the pandemic caused by the COVID-19 virus, whose impact on hotels began to be felt at the beginning of March with reservation cancellations, evolving abruptly to a situation of progressive closure of accommodation units.
All geographic areas suffered severe falls, which ranged between -38.5pp (-53.0 percent) in Monte Gordo and Vila Real de Santo António and -59.6pp (-68.6 percent) in Albufeira.
The area of Faro and Olhão registered the highest occupancy rate, 39.3 percent, while the lowest occurred in the Albufeira area, with 27.3 percent.
Covid.19: Algarve registers exponential increase in requests for food support
According to a “JN” (news) survey of 308 city councils in the country to which 178 responded, there is a worrying reality: the Algarve is one of the regions most affected by hunger.
The support of the Chambers is provided through baskets, meals and vouchers. For example, in the municipality of 
Lagos alone, the increase was 220% of families supported per month, representing about 660 monthly baskets, when before the pandemic, there were 120.
In the municipality of Loulé, two canteens were created, having prepared more than 24 thousand meals, adding to more than 1100 baskets delivered.
According to the same source, Faro supports 900 people, Albufeira 771 residents, Portimão 775, plus 532 baskets for families per month. Olhão supports 600 people and delivers 550 food kits.
Speaking to TVI, the president of the Food Bank against Hunger in the Algarve said that 24,000 people are supported, which is a historical value, since, before the pandemic, 16,000 people were supported. Nuno Alves stressed that he expects a further increase in requests for support after the summer.
For this person, many of these people were employed, “they had a normal life and never thought about resorting to food support”. There has been additional aid in addition to the food emergency network, businesspeople in the region and foreigners. Until November, the Food Bank has reserves to provide support. Nuno Alves hopes that the next big fundraising campaign will materialize to help from that period. However, due to the unpredictability of the pandemic, there is no certainty about the expected results.