Algarve Situation Report Saturday 10th July 2021
Covid-19: Algarve Hotels Association says test or certificate is “overkill” and asks for revocation
The main hotel association in the Algarve yesterday considered “an exaggeration” the obligation to present a covid-19 certificate or test to access the hotel business and asked the Government to “immediately revoke” the measure.
Speaking to Lusa agency, the president of the Association of Hotels and Touristic Enterprises of the Algarve (AHETA), Elidérico Viegas, was very critical of the decision announced on Thursday by the Council of Ministers to introduce a test or certificate requirement in hotels , in mainland Portugal, and within restaurants in high and very high risk municipalities, from 19:00 on Fridays and on weekends and holidays, a measure that currently affects nine of the 16 municipalities in the Algarve.
“An unnecessary exaggeration, an impractical measure of dubious effectiveness. Contrary to what the Government claims, that it promotes development, it further restricts people’s availability to take holidays and contributes decisively so that many Portuguese choose to spend holidays abroad, instead of choosing to do so in their own country. ”, stated Elidérico Viegas.
The same source considered that the “hotel professionals are not health professionals, nor security forces, nor health authorities” and “are not qualified nor have conditions to comply with the measure announced by the Government”.
“And, therefore, we vehemently appeal to the Government to quickly and urgently reverse this decision, because it is against the public interest, not only regional, but also national”, asked the leader of the Algarve business association.
Elidérico Viegas said that the decision announced on Thursday, at the end of the Council of Ministers, by the Minister of the Presidency, Mariana Vieira da Silva, “doesn’t make sense, it’s something without any nexus”, because, he argued, “hotels do not they are places where there are outbreaks of infection” and “there is no knowledge of outbreaks of infection since the beginning of the pandemic in hotels and developments”.
“Hotels are being bombarded with phone calls all the time from all the people who had made reservations, outraged by this decision”, he warned, clarifying that, for the time being, there is still no cancellation of reservations, but warning that the decision “it will not motivate people to vacation in the country”.
Covid.19: Police calmed down heated spirits in the lines of the Olhão Vaccination Centre
The PSP and the Municipal Police were this morning at the Olhão Vaccination Centre to calm the spirits of some citizens and organize the waiting lines that are felt all over the country, as a result of the acceleration of the vaccination process, other age groups in conjunction with reducing the intake of the second dose of Astrazeneca vaccine from 12 to 8 weeks.
One of the most heard criticisms at the place, according to Algarve Primeira, was the waiting time, but also because some people passed the front in line, not respecting the order of arrival.
Taking into account the increase in the number of people visiting the Olhão Vaccination Centre, the Municipality provided awnings next to the building, for greater comfort for those who have to wait sometime in the street before being assisted.
The Chamber calls for the understanding of people who have to wait their turn before entering the pavilion, ensuring that the entities involved “are doing everything to reduce the waiting time for users”.
It is also advisable for those who have an appointment to go to the Vaccination Centre only at his time, helping to avoid unnecessary queues.
Covid.19: Câmara de Silves extends suspension of cultural events until 18 July
The Municipality of Silves decided to continue with all events of a cultural nature suspended until the 18th of July, given the worsening of the epidemiological evolution that is being experienced in the municipality and in the Algarve in general.
In a statement, the municipality explains that following the weekly review on the containment and mitigation measures for the covid-19 disease, released today, after the Council of Ministers, the measures will be adopted as indicated by the DGS.
The same document recalls the importance of adopting safety behaviours in the fight against the pandemic by the entire community.