Algarve Situation Report, Wednesday 31^st March 2021.
ARS wants to vaccinate 70% of the population of the Algarve by the end of August.
70% of Algarvians vaccinated against Covid-19 by the end of August. This is the objective set by the Regional Health Administration (ARS) of the Algarve, which, when vaccination is at “cruising speed”, wants to vaccinate 2000 people per day across the region.
The goal was set by Paulo Morgado, president of ARS Algarve, who accompanied, this Sunday, the visit of Tiago Brandão Rodrigues, Minister of Education, to the Pinheiro e Rosa Secondary School, in Faro, one of the educational institutions where it was the second time there was taking place a vaccination day for teachers and school staff.
The official said that “a set of Covid vaccination centres are being prepared in the Algarve, to vaccinate on a large scale, several hundred people per day”.
For now, “there have not been enough vaccines to open these centres”, but Paulo Morgado thinks that, “during the month of April, the country will receive vaccines, in significant quantities. Janssen vaccines will arrive, in a single dose, which will facilitate the whole process”.
According to the ARS president, vaccination centres are being prepared in all coastal cities. In the smaller municipalities, in the interior, “it will be necessary, vaccination will proceed more smoothly”.

Elidérico Viegas resigns as president of AHETA.
Elidérico Viegas will no longer be the president of the Association of Hotels and Tourist Enterprises of the Algarve (AHETA), a position he has held for 25 years, since he helped found this entity in 1995.
The businessman, who has been the face of hoteliers for decades, presented his resignation on Monday, after being called by the other members of the AHETA management to explain statements made to Jornal i, in which the other leaders of the association say that “did not review and they cannot subscribe to”.
“In a meeting immediately called, the board heard the explanations by the president and was informed of his intention to resign from this AHETA governing body, which resignation was presented by the President of the General Assembly, Monday, March 29”.
Although the resignation was motivated by divergent views between Elidérico and the other leaders of the association, the AHETA management, in a statement, they made a point of “recognizing the relevant role of the current president of the AHETA management, since the formal constitution of the association, in defence of the interests of tourist companies in the Algarve and in the affirmation of AHETA as the most influential and representative business association in the region, which constitutes itself as the main tourist destination in the country”.
“As a result of this decision, the remaining members of the board in office will request the President of the General Assembly to call for elections for the governing bodies of AHETA, in the shortest possible time, in order to strengthen the intervention capacity of the association in this critical period that tourist companies in the Algarve are and will have to continue to overcome”, they conclude.
https://www.sulinformacao.pt/2021/03/eliderico-viegas-demite-se-de-presidente-da-aheta/

Algarve
Algarve Situation Report, Saturday 27^th March 2021.

Algarve has 73 more active cases of Covid-19 than a week ago.

The Algarve has 73 more active cases of Covid-19 than a week ago, now totalling 386, according to data released this Friday, March 26th, by the District Civil Protection Commission.

Over the past week, the Regional Health Authority recorded 233 new cases of the disease when, in the previous week, between 12th and 19th March, 106 new cases had been registered.

This rise in contagions in the last week is related to the appearance of outbreaks, particularly in the municipalities of Portimão and Albufeira, in civil construction companies, as the South Information has advanced.

These situations linked to civil construction “emerged, identified as outbreaks, in the second week of March”, but “new cases continue to appear”, as explained by the Regional Health Authority, on Tuesday, to our newspaper.

According to the data, until 23:59 this Thursday, Monchique was the only municipality in the Algarve with no active cases. However, the mayor Rui André revealed in a Facebook post that “after more than a month after the last Covid-19 case, we have again registered a case, according to information from the health authorities”.

The South Information also found that, after tests, two more infections have already been detected in this municipality.

Also Vila do Bispo, which, a week ago, had no active infections, now has 7 active cases.

On the other hand, Portimão (124) and Faro (66) continue to be the two municipalities with the most active infections, although, in the case of the Algarve capital, the number has decreased in the last week (-4).

Association of Hotels and Tourist Enterprises of the Algarve (AHETA) proposes the integration of hotel and restaurant workers in the groups to be vaccinated.
AHETA issued on Thursday, March 25th, a note stating that “the Algarve, like what happens in other competing tourist destinations, should consider hotel and restaurant workers as priorities in vaccination strategies against Covid-19”.
“The tourism economy is characterized by being an activity from people to people, forcing holiday consumers to go to the place where the services are produced. Therefore, the human factor plays, in this economic sector, a more important and decisive role than in other sectors, namely in all activities that make up the respective tourism value chain, with a special focus on accommodation and restaurant services”, explains the Association.
In this sense, “and considering that vaccination is, at present, the condition that most confidence can induce in the general population, especially with regard to obtaining the so-called group immunity”, AHETA defends that “the national health authorities and Regional authorities should consider vaccination of hotel and tourism professionals in the largest and most important Portuguese tourist region, as a priority. ”
The Association based in Albufeira argues that “the vaccination of professionals in the tourism sector is assumed, in the current economic and health context, as a competitive asset in the recovery phase, compared to other competing destinations, a period in which the competitive dispute it will be very pronounced”.
On the other hand, AHETA defends the proportional distribution of vaccines, since, in the national context, “the Algarve has been contemplated with a smaller number of units, compared to other regions of our country”.

Covid-19: Unemployment in the Algarve “worries” but is below 2020 figures – IEFP.
The Algarve regional delegate from the Institute of Employment and Professional Training (IEFP) today classified the increase in unemployment in the region as “worrying” but stressed that the February figures are below those recorded in the first confinement, in 2020.

In taking stock of the effects of a year of the Covid-19 pandemic on employment in the Algarve, Madalena Feu told Agência Lusa that the 74.4% year-on-year increase in unemployment recorded in February this year is still far from the figures for May, June and July last year, when there were year-on-year increases of 202.4%, 231.8% and 216.6%, respectively.
The IEFP regional delegate considered, therefore, that the impact registered in the first confinement, starting in March 2020, was “greater” than that registered in January and February this year, a month in which there was a total of 33,459 registered to the job search in regional employment services.
“As the Algarve is a region that has lived almost exclusively on tourism and all the activities associated with it, its main consequence was higher unemployment than in the rest of the country”, acknowledged Madalena Feu.
However, “if only the February figures are checked”, and “although they are quite high”, they still “would not be as high as they were last year”, he countered.
The IEFP delegate in the Algarve supported this position by comparing the 74.4% year-on-year increase registered in the last month, in full second confinement, with the months following the beginning of the first confinement, starting in March 2020, when they were reached “Growth, compared to the same period, in the order of 202.4% in May, 231.8% in June and 216.6% in July”.
“If 2020 was a first clash with the pandemic, today we can say that we are better prepared”, he justified, considering that the reorganization of services to adapt and respond in a pandemic time, as well as the importance of public measures to support employment and the economy, “Have contributed to controlling the numbers more effectively”.

Algarve Situation Report, Wednesday 24th March 2021.
Covid-19 Incidence rate in the Algarve.
The Directorate-General for Health reported this Monday, the incidence rate of new cases registered in the Portuguese counties, in the period of 3rd to 16th of March.
The classification is carried out according to the categories used by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, adding the new cases in the last 14 days, per 100 000 inhabitants.
Base of incidence in the Algarve from March 3rd to 16th:

1. Very low: Incidence <30 – Vila Real de Stº António – 21, Vila do Bispo – 19, Olhão – 11, Silves – 8, Monchique – 0
2. Low: 30 <Incidence <60 – Albufeira – 55, Lagos – 49, São Brás de Alportel – 38
3. Average: 60 <Incidence <120 – Tavira – 118, Portimão – 96, Castro Marim – 96, Loulé – 77, Aljezur – 72, Faro – 64
4. Moderate: 120 <Incidence <240 – Lagoa – 127
5. High: 240 <Incidence <480 –
6. Very High: 480 <Incidence <960 – Alcoutim – 556
7. Extremely high: Incidence> 960 –

Alcoutim without cases.
The Alcoutim City Council says it has received information, through the epidemiological bulletin from the local health authority, regarding the evolution of Covid-19 in the municipality, regarding the absence of positive cases.
The municipality thanks in a statement “the commitment of the population, which, while respecting security measures, allowed Alcoutim to reach the mark of zero active cases in Covid-19 this Tuesday”.
Despite today’s data, the chamber maintains the appeal to the population to continue to comply with safety measures, namely the use of the mask, hand hygiene frequently and respect for social distance.
The Mayor of the City, Osvaldo Gonçalves, affirms “we will do everything to continue to defend the interests of our citizens”.

BE wants Government to consider Algarve as “Region of Social and Economic Catastrophe”.
The Bloco de Esquerda (party) / Algarve defends the rapid intervention of the central power in supporting the Algarve, namely the population and companies that suffered from the emergence of the Covid-19 pandemic.
For the party, the Algarve is one of the regions of the country that has suffered the greatest economic and social impact, and the Government should move towards the designation of the Algarve as “Region of Social and Economic Catastrophe, in order to overcome all the bureaucracies that have been hampering the support to the Algarve “, he explained in a statement.
BE criticizes that after the promises made by the Government in July 2020, “practically nothing has evolved in the mitigation of the enormous difficulties that arose with the economic crisis in the region”, having concluded through contacts and meetings with several entities in the Algarve, namely, ACRAL- Algarve; IEFP, Banco Alimentar-Algarve, União dos Sindicatos do Algarve, Algfuturo, RTA, Hospitality Union of the Algarve, among others, “that despair is the common denominator in the region and if nothing is done quickly the situation will reach an extremely serious proportion , with unimaginable social damage “.
Due to the low wages associated with precarious work, it has resulted, according to the party, in thousands of Algarvians being in a “calamitous situation, in addition to the difficulty of companies and the social wound of the overwhelming growth of unemployment, due to the sector of tourism being totally stopped and with very gloomy prospects for the next ‘bathing’ season “.
Given this scenario, the Bloco de Esquerda / Algarve believes it is necessary to move immediately towards extraordinary measures for the region.
https://www.algarveprimeiro.com/d/be-quer-que-governo-considere-algarve-como-regiao-de-catastrofe-social-e-economica/37386-82

Algarve Situation Report, Saturday 20^th March 2021.
Covid-19: MotoGP and Formula 1 without an audience is “overzealous” – hoteliers
Albufeira, Faro, 19th March 2021 (Lusa) – The possibility that Portugal’s MotoGP and Formula 1 grand prizes may not have an audience is “an excess of zeal”, considered today the president of the main Algarve hotel association, defending its realization with limited capacity.
The president of the Association of Hotels and Tourist Enterprises of the Algarve (AHETA), Elidérico Viegas, reacted thus to a news item from the newspaper Expresso, that points to the Government’s intention to prevent the presence of spectators at the Formula 1 Grand Prix, which takes place between 30th April and May 2nd, in the Algarve.
“There seems to be an excess of zeal on the part of the Government, since, on the one hand, it authorizes events and the holding of events such as weddings indoors, and on the other hand it does not allow the attendance of some sporting events, especially football and the Formula 1 and MotoGP grand prizes”, said the associative leader to the Lusa agency.
The absence of an audience on the stands of the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, in Portimão, as a measure to contain the Covid-19 pandemic, was confirmed by a Government source to the newspaper Expresso and, according to Elidérico Viegas, “calls into question the coming of many tourists foreign and national”.
According to the news today from that newspaper, “until the end of this period of lack of definition”, events such as the final games of the 1st football league and the Formula 1 Grand Prix “will not have an audience”, unlike what happened last year, in this case Formula 1.
In response RTA, AMAL, AIHSA, AHETA AND NERA find F1 strange without an audience after “months of work with public entities”
The five Algarve entities say that it was “with surprise” that they saw in the media today the disclosure of an alleged impediment to the public’s presence in the Portuguese Grand Prix of Formula 1, which will be held in the Algarve on the 2nd May.
They are surprised at what happened, as they did not receive any official communication from the Government regarding this decision. As explained in a statement, “for months now”, they have been working with the DGS, the Regional Health Authority and the security forces and Civil Protection to ensure that the F1 Grand Prix of Portugal takes place with all the security conditions for both residents and visitors: “And nothing points to such an eventuality (absence of public)”.

Covid-19 / One year: Food support is still vital for many families in the Algarve.
Faro, 20th Mar 2021 (Lusa) – One year after the beginning of the first mandatory confinement to combat the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, food support in the Algarve is still vital for many families to have access to daily meals.
The region’s economic dependence on the tourism sector and restrictions on international travel have forced many companies to close their doors, resort to lay-offs or lay off workers, increasing unemployment.
Ana (fictitious name) worked at Faro airport, but was discharged in August and stopped earning the “little more than a thousand euros” she received each month. At the age of 40, with two children and bills to pay, she was forced to “live with family members” and ask for food support.
“It was complicated. We had meals with sausages and eggs, more basic things, because the money doesn’t stretch” she reveals, while waiting at the door of the Refood institution, in Faro, to collect the goods she takes home, “twice a week”.
Unemployment also forced her to take her daughter out of kindergarten to “save 250 euros”, but, in spite of her current situation, she was surprised by a Social Security letter in December to re-frame her children “from step A to B”, which implies a “reduction in family allowance” and the “school support” that I received.
Read the full story here.

Covid-19: Algarve achieved objective to avoid hospital rupture – regional coordinator.
The Algarve managed to avoid hospital rupture at the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic, fulfilling the main objective of the authorities, having also welcomed patients from other areas of the country, the secretary of state coordinating the pandemic in the region said today.
In a hearing with all the regional coordinators held today in the Assembly of the Republic, Jorge Botelho, who is Secretary of State for Decentralization and Local Administration, said that the peak of contagions in the region occurred on January 20th, but health services managed to avoid a breakdown, after a pandemic start with “ups and downs”, an “especially calm” summer and a “worsening” in October.
“I would say that the big goal we always had was that the cases identified in Intensive Care and people who had to go to the hospital never went through what the regional health services could support. And, fortunately, the Hospital [Centro Hospitalar] Universitário do Algarve [CHUA] managed to somehow respond to the needs of the population, activating the four phases”, he said.
With phase four of the CHUA Contingency Plan, a response unit to Covid-19 was opened at Portimão Arena, which has since been deactivated, which received “170 patients” and “104 were in support of people from other parts of the country”, such as the Alentejo or Lisbon and the Tagus Valley, quantified.
Jorge Botelho said that the “articulation” between entities was a constant and that the Regional Public Health did not follow the options of other regions and “did not resort” to “army trackers or complementary services”, because “he understood that in the region it was possible to resolve the question”.

The best film of a regional tourist destination in the world is Algarve.
The film of the promotional campaign “The Algarve is well for you” won the Golden Star in the international category “Tourist Destinations – Regions” of «The Golden City Gate 2021», film and multimedia festival of tourism held within the scope of ITB Berlin, the largest tourism fair in the world, which this year takes place in a completely virtual format”, RTA announced in a statement.
Produced by New Light Pictures for Turismo do Algarve, “The Algarve looks good” was chosen by the festival jury as the best in the world, surpassing the remaining films from regional destinations in Berlin, Germany – one of the most important tourist markets for the Algarve, with an annual record of approximately two million overnight stays in the region’s hotels in the pre-pandemic period.
RTA explains that created with the objective of motivating national and foreign tourists to enjoy summer holidays in the region, reinforcing confidence in the «Algarve» brand and the notoriety of the main tourist destination in the country, the campaign features a motivational film starring one of today’s most successful international travel influencers, @explorerssaurus, “who share unique experiences in exceptional places scattered throughout the region, such as waterfalls, picturesque villages, long sandy beaches and crystal clear or more remote waters and hidden between cliffs “, states the same document.
For the president of Turismo do Algarve, João Fernandes, “the distinction has a special flavour, as it is the international recognition of the work done in the tourism promotion of the region, and makes us continue to believe that everything that happened in the last year will not prevent you from coming back in force. Very soon we will be able to discover how well this Algarve is and enjoy the vast tourist offer of the destination. This award, within the scope of ITB Berlin, reinforces the message that the region is prepared to receive tourists from different origins in safety”.
RTA recalls that the film had already been awarded at ART & TUR – International Tourism Film Festival 2020, which took place in Viseu, and at Finisterra – Arrábida Film Art & Tourism Festival 2020, in Sesimbra.

Algarve Situation Report, Wednesday 17^th March 2021
Covid-19: Withdrawal of Portugal from the “British” red list “is welcome” – Turismo do Algarve.
The President of the Algarve Tourism Region (RTA) today considered that the removal of Portugal from the “red list” of countries whose travellers are required to be quarantined in the United Kingdom is “welcome” and reflects “the positive epidemiological situation” in Portugal.
“For the Algarve it is good news, because being the British one of the main outbound tourism markets, it allows British citizens to plan their summer holidays, namely, to start taking out their travel insurance, which was not possible with Portugal included in the list ”, João Fernandes told Lusa.
The British Ministry of Transport announced today in a statement that it will authorize direct flights from Friday and remove Portugal from the list that requires a quarantine upon arrival in the United Kingdom for Portuguese travellers.
The decision was taken “following indications that the risk of importing a worrying variant from these destinations has been reduced,” he explains in a statement, noting that “Portugal has taken measures to mitigate the risk of its links with countries where the variants have become a concern and now has genomic surveillance in place “.
For João Fernandes, the British position “gives a clear signal that the destination [Algarve] is prepared to receive tourists from that country, but it is not yet the final signal that is desired”.
“The signal we want is for British citizens to be able to travel abroad, a reality that will only become clear from May 17th, because at this moment they can only go on essential trips,” he recalled.
https://www.algarveprimeiro.com/d/covid-19-retirada-de-portugal-da-lista-vermelha-britanica-e-bem-vinda-turismo-do-algarve/37258-4

Covid-19: Algarve hoteliers cautious about removing Portugal from the British “red list”.
Algarve hoteliers have today shown themselves to be cautious about the consequences for the Algarve of the British Government’s decision to remove Portugal from the “red list” of countries whose travellers are subject to quarantine in hotels in the United Kingdom.
“It is still too early, let’s wait and see. This red list only concerns people who return to the United Kingdom, where the lack of definition only happens on the 17th of May, ”the President of the Association of Hotels and Tourist Enterprises of the Algarve (AHETA) told Lusa.
For Elidérico Viegas the decision will benefit above all “those who work in England and want to return to their country” and, eventually, those who have “a second residence” in the Algarve, remembering that Portugal “still does not receive flights from the United Kingdom”.
“We are speculating a lot, our forecasts for this year are essentially of internal demand, with some external demand, which will eventually exist, but let’s take it easy, because air transport is not completely assured”, he stressed.
The United Kingdom announced today that it will authorize direct flights and remove Portugal from the “red list” of countries whose travellers are subject to quarantine in hotels in the United Kingdom as of Friday.
However, air connections are not expected to resume immediately, as the Portuguese Government has extended the suspension of flights, commercial or private, with origin or destination in the United Kingdom and Brazil until March 31st.
Despite this easing of restrictions, the confinement regime due to the Covid-19 pandemic remains in England, so it remains prohibited to travel without valid justification, such as holidays, and circulation is essentially limited to nationals and residents of both countries.
For Elidérico Viegas there are still “many factors of uncertainty on the table” and despite the desire for tourism to reopen, he warned that “this will not happen from one moment to the next”.
“These things require some patience because this situation will not be resolved with the snap of a finger, nor with declarations of goodwill,” he said.
https://www.algarveprimeiro.com/d/covid-19-hoteleiros-algarvios-cautelosos-com-retirada-de-portugal-da-lista-vermelha-britanica/37257-4

Covid-19: Câmara de Loulé reopens public spaces.
The Mayor of Loulé, Vítor Aleixo, issued this Monday an order approving the lifting of the restrictive measures in force in the public spaces of the municipality, allowing their reopening.
In a statement the Municipality mentions that the Passeio das Dunas, the pedestrian part of Avenida Infante de Sagres and Calçadão de Quarteira, the footbridge of Forte Novo in Quarteira, the footbridges of Garrão, Ancão and Ludo, the bridge of Quinta do Lago, Queda do Vigário in Alte, the Local Protected Landscapes of Fonte Benémola and Rocha da Pena are the spaces that will be able to be visited again by the citizens and by all those who visit the municipality.
Also the car parks next to the bathing areas, in the parishes of Almancil (Garrão Nascente, Vale do Lobo, Quinta do Lago, Dunas Douradas, Ancão) and Quarteira (Passeio das Dunas) can be used again.
The Louletano mayor also approved in this order the lifting of the ban on the use of benches in all public spaces in the municipality, whether in streets, playgrounds or gardens.
It should be noted that the de-confinement plan presented by the Prime Minister last week leaves the municipalities to reopen public spaces. Despite this easing of measures, the Mayor of Loulé considers it essential that citizens maintain all the rules of protection, such as wearing a mask and social distance, “because these are very attractive spaces and, as such, capable of promoting gatherings of people”, he stresses.

Algarve Situation Report, Saturday 13^th March 2021.
Covid-19
The District Civil Protection Commission of Faro confirmed today that there are 427 active cases of Covid-19 in the Algarve.
According to data from the regional health delegate, 19,921 infected people were registered up until yesterday, another 30 in the last 24 hours and 19,153 recovered (cumulative).
There are 400 patients recovering at home, plus 27 inpatients, 7 in the Intensive Care Units and 5 ventilated. The same source says that since the beginning of the pandemic, 341 deaths have been registered in the region.
590 people are currently under active surveillance.
Compared to last week’s bulletin, 273 fewer active cases and 124 new cases are confirmed. Another 393 people are recovered.
There are 12 less hospitalized, 3 less patients in intensive care and 1 less ventilated (5). Under active surveillance there are 173 fewer people.

AMAL approved the economic recovery plan for the Algarve.
The 16 mayors of the region today approved, in an extraordinary meeting of the Intermunicipal Council, the Economic Recovery Plan for the Algarve and a regional strategy to combat the effects caused by Covid-19 on the economy.
A statement from AMAL states that the implementation of the plan provides, “on the one hand, to use public investment in order to enable the region to respond to the crisis and prepare it for the future, making it more cohesive, competitive, resilient and sustainable; and, on the other hand, to mobilize private investment in order to leverage the growth potential and the economic dynamism generated by the public component”.
Of the various items in the plan, the entity highlights a set of investments – 33 differentiating projects – for the region. Among them are the construction of the Hospital Central Universitário do Algarve; the development of the Commercial Port of Portimão; Faro European Capital of Culture; the ABC Loulé Project – Health Research Centre; construction of a seawater desalination infrastructure and the rehabilitation and electrification of the Algarve railway line.
The Economic Recovery Plan for the Algarve also includes several thematic packages, which aggregate the projects considered relevant for each of the municipalities in the Algarve.
The document now approved – and whose preparation work started last year, in close collaboration with the Faculty of Economics of the University of Algarve, is understood as a recommendation. “The fact that it is not watertight allows, over time, adjustments to be made according to the needs felt in the region”, reads the same statement.
In addition to this plan, the Algarve Intermunicipal Community – AMAL, says that it sent to the Government, within the scope of the public consultation of the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR), its contributions with a survey of the investment needs and intentions proposed by the Municipalities of the Algarve, according to the priorities set by the European Union and Portugal for the next programming period.

International exercise «NeamWave21».
The Municipal Civil Protection Service of Portimão (SMPC) participated on Wednesday, March 10th, in «NeamWave21», an international simulation and response to a tsunami exercise, whose main objective was to test the readiness of this alert system.
Through this action, the municipality of Portimão joined the National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection and the Portuguese Institute for the Sea and the Atmosphere, as well as other entities throughout the national territory, to test the communication procedures to be implemented after the arrival of the tsunami warning message.
The fictitious scenario outlined focused on the occurrence of an earthquake recorded at 09h07, whose epicentre was located close to the sea of ​​Morocco, with a magnitude of 8.6 on the Richter scale and a depth of 27 kms.
As a result, the Municipal Emergency Plan for Civil Protection of Portimão was tested sectorally, as well as the system of warning to the population inherent to the occurrence, which would have hypothetically resulted 924 fatalities, 3,089 displaced and 9,506 homes destroyed, among other considerable material damages. .
In accordance with the need to relocate the affected people, using 58 buses for this purpose, itineraries were drawn up for the ZCAP – Concentration and Support Zones for the Population, one in each parish of Portimão, and even to the temporary accommodation places, located in eight hotels in the municipality.
The experience, according to the municipality, “will allow to improve the tested procedures and mechanisms, to correct and adjust them, creating capacities and automating processes, all the more so since the Porto municipality is revising its Municipal Civil Protection Emergency Plan. This learning moment will make it possible to incorporate corrective measures in the new content, which will soon be submitted to public consultation”.

Municipality of Loulé launches local trade stimulus package that plans to support more than 600 companies.
This afternoon (Friday), the Municipality of Loulé will present a package of measures to mitigate the effects of this last confinement on the local economy, at 3 pm, at the Gama Lobo Palace, with live transmission on Facebook, having prepared a campaign to stimulate trade, in the initial amount of one million euros.
The campaign, promoted by the Municipality of Loulé in conjunction with ACRAL – Association of Commerce and Services of the Algarve Region and NERA – Business Association of the Algarve Region, in collaboration with the Association of Entrepreneurs Por Quarteira and Associação Restauração e Comércio e Restoration of the City of Loulé, which will start with the period of lack of definition, “intends to stimulate the local economy quickly and effectively”, says the municipality.
With this initiative, it is expected to support, in an initial phase, more than 600 companies.
Vítor Aleixo, a Louletan mayor, considers that “this initiative will make it possible to multiply the financial return for our traders, encouraging in an innovative way consumption in local commerce. This is another considerable and important support provided by the Municipality of Loulé, which, in addition to all the work and investment carried out in this area since the beginning of the pandemic, will now invest more than 1 million euros to respond in a clear and effective way to needs of the county’s micro companies, the sectors of activity most affected.”

Algarve Situation Report, Wednesday 10^th March 2021
MAR Shopping Algarve raises money for homeless social reintegration projects.
During the month of March, MAR Shopping Algarve launches a donation and fundraising campaign for two homeless social reintegration projects that are being implemented in the Algarve by Associação GATO – Support Group for Drug Addicts.
Under the motto “the smallest gesture makes the biggest difference”, the campaign to collect household appliances and equipment aims to help equip the “Shared Apartments” and the “Projecto – Casa Ajuda”, integrated in the national initiative Housing First, two social responses that are being activated in Loulé and that, in total, will support a total of 15 homeless people.
Donations of equipment and materials, new or second-hand, can be made at the MAR Shopping Algarve Information Desk until March 31st. The two types of housing projects will start operating in mid-March and are already furnished, making it necessary to complement the installations with appliances such as irons, televisions, toasters, coffee machines or magic wands, as well as other elements essential to life daily life, such as towels, pillows, blankets, comforters and sheets, lamps, kitchen linen or toilet utensils, describes a note issued today by MAR Shopping.
Through the GATO Association, two temporary “shared apartments” will be implemented, with a capacity for ten people, and five individual dwellings in the “Housing First” typology, a pioneer in the Algarve and a recent innovation in responding to this social problem. These housing models aim to reintegrate and integrate homeless people into society, promoting independent living and monitoring by a technical team, which focuses on areas such as health, education, work, hygiene and domestic management.
Associação GATO is also collaborating with the Municipality of Loulé in the initiatives of “Shared Apartments” and the Projeto – Casa Ajuda “Housing First, which in total will help 15 people.

More than 30 thousand people may be receiving food support in the Algarve
The deputy of the Left Wing Parliamentary Group, João Vasconcelos, and other members of the Left Algarve Block, met with the board of Banco Alimentar do Algarve in order to understand, the difficulties that the institution faces and the impact of the crisis on families in the region.
According to the Bloc, the Food Bank reported that last year, only between April and December, due to the crisis that the pandemic brought to the region, requests for food aid increased significantly, 74%, from 16,200 people supported through 104 institutions, to 26,300 people, through 119 institutions, making the Food Bank go from 2 million to 3.3 million units of food products distributed.
In the same information, the fact that “such a big deal has never been reached” by the Food Bank in the Algarve is underlined as in the year 2020. Not even at the peak of the previous crisis where the maximum support reached 23,000 people. BE clarifies that the Food Bank, “although the number of donations has increased, and requests for support, are experiencing difficulties in responding to the requested support”.
In view of the current crisis, resulting from the pandemic, at the moment people supported at food level in the Algarve should already exceed 30,000. For the Bloco de Esquerda, the Algarve “is experiencing an authentic social catastrophe and the government is primarily responsible, as it is not giving due and necessary responses to people, families and companies, and has not yet presented any plan to combat crisis in the region, despite having been announced several months ago “, considering it to be” an unacceptable and unsustainable situation “.

Algarve Situation Report, Saturday March 6^th 2021.
Sports
Formula 1 returns to Portugal in May
On Friday, the organization confirmed the plan to stage the Portuguese Formula 1 Grand Prix, in Portimão, on May 2nd.
The vacancy that was open in the official calendar of the Formula 1 World Championship is filled. From April 30th to May 2nd, the “fireballs” of the main track racing event will accelerate at the Portimão race track, in the Algarve.
The information was released on the social networks of the organization of the Formula 1 race and confirmed in a statement sent to the newsrooms, this Thursday morning.
“We are very excited to announce that Formula 1 will be racing again in Portimão, after the huge success of the race last year. We want to thank the promoter and the Portuguese Government for their hard work and dedication to the return of the race to Portugal, “said president and executive director of Formula 1 Stefano Domenicali, in a statement.
“We hope to be able to receive spectators in Portimão safely again this year and we are working with the promoter on the details of this plan,” added Domenicali.
The Formula 1 returned to Portugal in October 2020, the Algarve International Circuit, after 24 years of absence from the World Cup, following the reorganization of the schedule due to the pandemic Covid-19. “We were pleased to receive 27,000 fans during the Grand Prix weekend last season who were able to enjoy the great moments of action on the track,” adds the statement.
Autódromo Internacional do Algarve (AIA) expects a decision “on the presence of spectators in the coming weeks”, it is also read in the same statement.

In February Algarve hotels recorded a drop of 93.7%.
According to data from the Association of Hotels and Tourist Enterprises of the Algarve – AHETA, in relation to 2020, the month of February 2021 presented an average global occupancy rate of 2.9%, 93.7% below the value registered in the previous year.
According to the same source, the markets that contributed most to the decline were British (-98.0%) followed by German (-97.2%) and Dutch (-94.9%).
Despite having presented the lowest year-on-year decline, the national market declined -71.6%
Sales volume also decreased by -94.5% compared to the same month of the previous year.
The association also registers that, in accumulated values ​​of the last twelve months, the bed occupancy registered an average decrease of -60.5% and the volume of sales a decrease of -66.2%.

Covid-19: Algarve opens 25 beds for intensive rehabilitation of SNS patients.
The Algarve has since today (Friday) had 25 beds for the intensive rehabilitation of patients who were affected by their functions following the Covid-19 pandemic, the chairman of the board of directors of the Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Algarve (CHUA) told Lusa.
The beds, installed at the Center for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (CMFR) do Sul, in São Brás de Alportel, integrated in CHUA, will be able to receive patients with Covid-19 who were subjected to intubation and who were referred by the National Health Service for hospitalization. Health (SNS).
Speaking to Lusa, Ana Castro, said that the measure is “unique at national level” and that its objective is to allow patients who have been affected by the disease as a result of the disease to be able to “return to their normal life” as soon as possible, through a rehabilitation that brings together different therapies.
“We, at CMFR, already had a multidisciplinary team that did an intensive rehabilitation of patients who needed it and we thought that it would be a need to rehabilitate Covid patients who were in Intensive Care Units [UCI] and lost capacities”, he said.
Patients referred to the center in São Brás de Alportel will undergo a multidisciplinary program of “six hours a day” that will help them recover “both motor skills and some skills in terms of breathing, speech, swallowing, because of having been incubated”, he exemplified.
The chairman of the CHUA board of directors – which includes the hospitals in Faro, Portimão and Lagos and the CMFR – stressed that “this program is different from the others” and “unique at national level”, revealing that “a patient is already in hospital ” and another that went to the outpatient phase.

Southern Rehabilitation Medicine Centre resumes operation.
The Southern Rehabilitation Medicine Centre (CMR SUL), in São Brás de Alportel resumes its full operation with the total reopening of the number of beds in hospital.
An achievement defended by Vítor Guerreiro, President of the City Council, since 2014 with successive governments, achieved on Wednesday, March 3, with the beginning of a new rehabilitation program for post-Covid-19 patients.
This is an innovative service in the area of ​​rehabilitation, under the coordination of the CMR Sul team, which aims to provide an adequate response to complex clinical conditions of Covid-19 patients, subject to invasive mechanical ventilation and who need specific rehabilitation programs, more intensive, and with a multidisciplinary approach.
This new investment in the health of the Portuguese, allowed the reopening of another 25 beds and the hiring of specialized personnel, returning the full functioning to the Southern Medical and Physical Rehabilitation Center.

Algarve Situation Report, Wednesday 3^rd March.
Covid-19: Most Algarve municipalities at moderate risk, only 4 at high risk
The Directorate-General for Health (DGS) released this Monday, the incidence rates of Covid-19 cases, per 100 thousand inhabitants, referring to the Portuguese counties, in the period between 10th and 23rd February.
In the Algarve, there are no municipalities at extreme risk (over 960 cases per 100,000 inhabitants) or at very high risk (+ 480 to 960).
At high risk (+240 to 480) there are 4 municipalities, namely: Castro Marim – 465, Vila Real de Stº António – 421, Monchique – 276 and Portimão – 251.
At moderate risk, (less than 240), are found most of the municipalities in the region, (12): Faro – 221 , Olhão – 203, Albufeira – 207, Lagos – 181, Lagoa – 167, Loulé – 169, Silves – 152, São Brás de Alportel – 144, Tavira – 126, Vila do Bispo – 58, Alcoutim – 46, Aljezur – 18.
This Monday, DGS confirmed only 12 new cases in the Algarve with no death record. Portugal today registered 34 deaths and 394 new cases of infection with the new coronavirus, the lowest number of cases since September, according to the same entity.

Faro City Council launches package with four support measures.
The Faro City Council announced the launch of a set of support and specific initiatives to support the Culture sector, one of the most affected by the measures enacted to contain and mitigate the Covid-19 pandemic.
The municipality says it is “aware of its role and its responsibility in the context of the cultural and creative sector”, thus launching this set of initiatives in partnership with Teatro das Figuras.
In this sense, for 2021, the municipality of Faro prepared a package of four extraordinary measures, highlighting the support for associations, artistic creation and cultural agents. In this context, the municipality will reinforce the support planned for 2021.
During this year, a second edition of the artistic program called «Emergente – 2º Ciclo» will also take place , which consists of a program of artistic residencies whose result will be presented in 2022, at Teatro das Figuras, in the exhibition spaces of the municipality or its partners. , in public space or in initiatives organized by the City Council.
Also, with a return scheduled for 2021, after the success of the first edition, is the cycle «Bands to Figures». The initiative sets the stage, at Teatro das Figuras, for the vibrant music scene in the region.
Starting in April, this creation consists of a program of concerts held using all the technical conditions of the large auditorium, with streaming in digital platforms of Teatro das Figuras and the municipality of Faro.
Since the country was once again in a situation of confinement and the artists were prevented from making presentations to the public, the council proposed to embody a new project to support musicians in the region, namely Dj’s and artists of Portuguese popular music.
The new #FaroMúsicaNaStreet is a concert program held in different locations in the municipality, with streaming in streaming through the municipality’s digital platforms.
Applications for these projects are open and the application forms are available until 12th March on the websites of Teatro das Figuras and the municipality of Faro , where it will be possible to access additional information.
https://barlavento.sapo.pt/algarve/covid-19-faro-anuncia-iniciativas-para-apoiar-setor-da-cultura

The Municipality of Olhão marked the World Civil Protection Day, with the opening of a Temporary Emergency Accommodation.
The social response, which was inaugurated by the mayor, António Miguel Pina, has a capacity for 10 people, and according to a note from the city council, “aims to create an alternative of immediate and temporary support to people living in the municipality, who are evicted afterwards serious accident or catastrophe, such as a fire, flood, landslide, or other exceptional situation “.
In this way, families living in the municipality without back-up support will have, in one of these eventualities, a temporary accommodation solution, in addition to the services of the Social Security Institute.
According to the same source, Olhão’s Temporary Emergency Accommodation has a maximum duration of 48 hours and can be extended for an equal period, with all situations previously assessed by the Municipal Civil Protection Service, in conjunction with the Action Division. Social.

BE party meet with officials from the IEFP regional delegation on the consequences of unemployment in the Algarve.
At the request of the Bloco de Esquerda do Algarve, an online meeting took place yesterday between members of the BE and the IEFP regional delegation.
Representing the IEFP was present the Regional Delegate, Madalena Feu, and António Palma, director of the Employment and Professional Training Services. Deputy João Vasconcelos, Celeste Santos, Augusto Taveira, from the BE / Algarve Secretariat, Vítor Ruivo, Grupo Laboral and Marco Pereira represented the party.
In a statement, the Bloc said that João Vasconcelos “exposed some of the biggest concerns regarding the continuity of the economic and social crisis that has been on the region for a year, as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic”.
Emphasis was given to the growing number of unemployed and job insecurity, “as well as a large number of informal workers without work and completely dependent on government support and city councils”.
The elements of the BE emphasized at the meeting the importance of being known the data, as accurate as possible, on all these situations of job loss, closing of companies, dismissals, number of companies or workers in lay-off, with a view to support measures are “much more strengthened to serve all affected workers”.
They also highlighted the existence of some discrepancy between the unemployment figures released by the IEFP and the INE, as well as workers who are not considered unemployed, in the case of available inactive workers, unemployed workers, but in vocational training and other partial work situations.
According to the same document from the Bloc, Madalena Feu made a presentation on the efforts made by the regional IEFP in monitoring and disseminating unemployment situations in the Algarve, “seeking to make available to the unemployed different types of support provided for under the IEFP, either directly with workers, either through companies “.

Algarve Situation Report, Saturday 27th February 2021
The number of hospitalisations in Algarve hospitals, resulting from Covid-19, decreased over the week of 16^th to 19th February, according to data from the Regional Health Authority, which has just been released by the District Civil Protection Commission.
There were 99 patients hospitalized in the Algarve a week ago, with regional data indicating that at 00:01 on this Friday, the 26th, there were 58 hospitalizations, that is, 41 less.
There was also a decrease in patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (there are now 16, less 2 than a week ago), and ventilated (8, that is, less 4).
In the last eight days, there was also a slowdown in the addition of new infections, since, in this timeframe, there were 331 more cases across the Algarve region, while in the previous week there had been another 456 cases.
As for deaths, there are 13 more to regret since the 19th. Faro was the municipality where, during this last week, there were more deaths by Covid-19 (5), while there were still 2 in Lagos, Albufeira and Loulé, and 1 in Olhão and São Brás de Alportel. The good news is that, this Friday, there was no death in the Algarve due to the pandemic.
The municipality of Aljezur was the only one where no new infection or death was reported.
For the new cases of the week, the municipality that contributed most was Portimão (+56), followed by Faro (+47), Loulé (+44), Olhão (+35), Vila Real de Santo António (+26), Silves (+23), Lagoa (+20), Tavira (+18); Lagos (+12), Monchique (+6), Castro Marim (+5), Vila do Bispo (+4), São Brás de Alportel (+3), and Alcoutim (+1).

Loulé informs companies and workers about support for the economy
The Municipality of Loulé is organizing an information and clarification session on the measures to support the economy in force in this period of confinement and crisis, aimed at entrepreneurs and workers.
The session is scheduled for Tuesday, March 2nd, at 17:00.
This is another online initiative promoted by the Municipality of Loulé, with the involvement of IAPMEI, IEFP and Social Security, broadcast live on the municipality’s Facebook page.
The participation of some associations of businessmen in the municipality is foreseen and the general public will also be able to send questions later to the various organizations to clarify any doubts that may arise.

Celebrations planned in 2022 to mark arrival of railway line in Lagos
The Lagos Municipal Assembly unanimously approved a proposal for the commemoration of the centenary of the train’s arrival in Lagos – 1922-2022.
The proposal was approved at the first regular meeting in February / 2021, held on February 22nd.
Thus, following the decision, a Municipal Commission will be created for the Commemorations of the Centenary of the Arrival of the Train to Lagos, with the participation of the Municipality of Lagos and the Parish Councils of the municipality, together with the Permanent Commission of the Municipal Assembly.
There will soon be a first meeting to establish the calendar and schedule for the celebrations.
Lagos has a heritage attached to the National Railway Museum that rusts away.
A carriage and steam locomotives from the end of the 19th century are among the assets of the Núcleo Ferroviário de Lagos that could be of interest to the city and the region, and which have remained without an exhibition solution for years.
In 2022, we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the arrival of the first train in Lagos and the festivities that accompanied the inauguration of the Portimão-Lagos railway branch that completed the Algarve Line.

Algarve Situation Report, Wednesday 24^th February
Covid-19: From 3rd to 16th February, only one municipality in the Algarve was at “extreme risk”.
The Directorate-General for Health (DGS) on Monday released the usual epidemiological situation regarding Portuguese municipalities, from 3rd to 16th February.
In the Algarve, at extreme risk (over 960 cases per 100,000 inhabitants) was Monchique with a rate of 1064.
At very high risk (+ 480 to 960), were Vila Real de Stº António – 901 and Castro Marim – 722.
At high risk (+240 to 480) there were 10 municipalities: Albufeira – 445, Alcoutim – 417, Faro – 408, Silves – 406, Loulé – 396, Portimão – 380, Lagos – 346, Olhão – 320 and São Brás de Alportel and Lagoa both with 250.
At moderate risk, (less than 240), there were Tavira – 208, Aljezur – 89 and Vila do Bispo – 78.
Also according to DGS data, in the last 24 hours, 22 new cases and 2 deaths were registered in the Algarve.

Tourism “has a future” and Algarve business people must be resilient – Associação
The President of the Business Association of the Algarve Region (NERA) said today that tourism “has a future”, despite the pandemic of Covid-19, arguing that businessmen should “resist” and maintain activity until the recovery arrives.
Speaking to Lusa, Vítor Neto said that the most optimistic recovery scenarios have not been verified and companies should take into account the different scenarios on the prospects of economic recovery to ensure that their companies remain active until then.
The former Secretary of State for Tourism of the socialist party, António Guterres, summarized in this way the content of a statement that the Algarve business association released yesterday to “signal, on the one hand, that it believes in the recovery and recovery of tourism”, but warning that there are multiple factors that can delay the most optimistic recovery scenarios.
Vítor Neto considered that the crisis created by the Covid-19 pandemic is “quite serious and has not only affected companies more directly related to tourism, such as accommodation and restaurants”, also affecting “a group of companies that also provide goods and services accommodation and catering services”.
That person gave as examples the “thousands” of companies of “food equipment, drinks or ‘software’” that were “strongly affected” by the break in activity and considered that entrepreneurs should be “very careful and cool-headed” to be able to reach the phase of recovery with the businesses in activity.
“The question that arises is that there are very large conditions and factors of uncertainty. And the main one is the evolution of the pandemic. It is clear that we have to fight the pandemic in our region and country and generate this perception at national and international level. But it also depends on the pandemic in the other issuing markets”, he argued.
https://www.algarveprimeiro.com/d/turismo-tem-futuro-e-empresarios-do-algarve-tem-de-ser-resilientes-associacao/36910-4

Jamila Madeira promotes hearing on resumption of tourist activity
Concerned about the effects of the public health crisis on the economy and tourism, socialist MP Jamila Madeira holds an online public hearing on the resumption of tourism activity with the various entities in the sector.
The meeting, which will be held by videoconference on Thursday, February 25th, between 5 pm and 7 pm, aims to make an assessment of the economic situation of this activity, which has been almost totally stopped for more than a year, and to know the ways appointed by the entities in this area for the recovery process and the new framework of the sector.
From an economic point of view, namely in the tourism sector, the stop was abrupt and, as far as the Algarve is concerned, practically total.
“We know that the limitations will not disappear overnight, but the ongoing vaccination campaign brings an opportunity for the resumption of tourism activity so important for the country’s economy”, points out the deputy elected by the Faro circle in the invitation sector institutions.
Recalling that the government put the Recovery and Resilience Plan in public discussion, with a European contribution of 13 billion euros for the economic and social recovery of Portugal, Jamila Madeira argues that it is necessary to “combine the opportunities for advancing vaccination with this financial instrument to program the reactivation of the activity of our companies and the economy”.
https://barlavento.sapo.pt/politica/jamila-madeira-promove-audicao-sobre-retoma-da-atividade-turistica

Algarve Situation Report, Saturday 20^th February 2021.
Covid-19: Algarve with less than a hundred admissions
The District Civil Protection Commission of Faros reported on the epidemiological situation in the Algarve with 1,441 active cases of Covid-19.
According to data from the regional health delegate of the Algarve, 19,242 infected were registered until yesterday, 54 more in the last 24 hours and 17,485 recovered (cumulative).
There are 1,342 patients recovering at home, plus 99 hospitalized, 18 in the Intensive Care Units and 12 ventilated. The same source said that since the beginning of the pandemic, 315 deaths have been registered in the region.
At the moment 1,444 people are under active surveillance.
Compared to last week’s bulletin, 958 fewer active cases and 456 new cases are confirmed. Another 1,351 people are recovered.
There are less 86 people hospitalised, 12 less patients in intensive care, maintaining the number of ventilated patients (12). There are fewer than 1,070 people under active surveillance.
According to the same source, the Algarve firefighters’ decontamination brigade carried out, in the last week, 2 decontamination actions, namely, at the MAPS Association – Movement to Support the Problem of AIDS in Faro, and at the Lar da Santa Casa da Misericórdia from Monchique.

Vila Real de Santo António PS says city council executive does not mass-test the population for lack of money
The Municipality of the Socialist Party of Vila Real de Stº António, says in a statement, that the mayor did not accept the proposal to test the population en masse, “because the municipality is plunged into debt, bankrupt and pledged for the next decades, a result of the executive PSD’s wasteful and ruinous management”.
Socialists criticize that the situation does not allow helping families and honouring urgent commitments, “the council is unable to invest in the health and well-being of its residents, in companies, schools and tourism, which remains stagnant”.
In the same communiqué, the PS regrets that the executive does not have the money to join a massive test of the population, as is happening in Castro Marim and in many municipalities at national level. He stresses that a large percentage of the active population of that municipality (Castro Marim) works in VRSA, “sharing the same territorial space, which can seriously jeopardize the effectiveness of the massive testing process they are undertaking”.
In a letter addressed to the mayor of the municipality, the party speaks of a “responsible and considered proposal, defended by specialists and those responsible for health at national level and that can be materialized in complete harmony with all health authorities at local and regional level”.
https://www.algarveprimeiro.com/d/ps-de-vila-real-de-santo-antonio-diz-que-executivo-camarario-nao-faz-testagem-em-massa-a-populacao-por-falta-de-dinheiro-/36867-82

Most infractions in the first month of the new motorhome law occurred in the Algarve
The National Republican Guard (GNR) detected 60 violations under the scope of environmental legislation, namely, by caravanning and occasional camping outside the indicated places, in the first month of the entry into force of the new legislation, the authority revealed to Lusa.
Between January 9th and February 9th, GNR imposed fines in the global amount of 3,540 euros, with the vast majority of violations detected in Faro (55), three in Odemira (district of Beja) and two in Moita (district of Setúbal).
The targets were from several countries, namely Luxembourg, Germany, France, England, Poland, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Finland and also Portugal, according to the GNR.
“With the recent legislative change, the GNR is carrying out awareness and inspection actions in a progressive way, through an adaptation to the new regulations, in conjunction with the local authorities”, pointed out the entity.

Lagos Local Housing Strategy for 399 households
The Lagos City Council approved the Local Housing Strategy, an instrument legally required for the purposes of applying for state financial support, provided for in the New Generation of Housing Policies under the 1st Law Program.
This program aims to ensure access to adequate housing for people living in precarious, unsanitary and insecure conditions, overcrowding or inadequacy, and who do not have the financial capacity to access an adequate housing solution.
The document presents the updated diagnosis of the housing needs of the municipality and the proposed housing solutions, which represent an investment of approximately 19.2 million euros, of which 18 million euros refer to solutions to be implemented by the municipality and 1.2 million euros intended for direct beneficiaries, that is, families with their own permanent housing but without economic conditions to carry out the necessary rehabilitation works.
Based on the housing requests registered in the City Council, the homeless population identified by the Social Network of Lagos and the survey of municipal housing in need of repairs, the diagnosis revealed that there was a universe of 399 households (corresponding to 851 people) living in unworthy conditions and, as such, eligible for support under the 1st Law Program.
The most significant needs are related to precarious situations related to homeless people, victims of domestic violence, families with eviction orders, lawsuits and situations of sharing or transferring housing with / from family and friends. 198 aggregates are in this condition.

Algarve Situation Report, Wednesday 17^th February 2021
Municipality of Vila Real de Santo António provides Youth Support Line
The Municipal Council of Vila Real de Santo Antonio will launch the line “Question, which we answer”, a resource that aims to provide support and information to the young people of the municipality.
In a press release, the municipality says that the service will allow, for example, young people to get help to develop a curriculum, to know the mechanisms for access to youth leasing or to know the requirements for applying to higher education.
Going to meet the platforms used by young people, Valencia will be available through WhatsApp (911 006 978) or through an electronic form, accessible at www.cm-vrsa.pt, where all doubts and questions can be raised.
The line will be promoted by the Division of Education, Youth and Health of the Municipality of VRSA and is one of ten activities aimed at young people in the municipality, which are being prepared for the year 2021, and which focus on areas such as artistic expression, urban art, sport, professional training or volunteering, highlights the municipality.
Taking into account the current pandemic situation, the chamber notes that many of these actions will only be implemented as soon as the health authorities allow.
In parallel, the municipality is also organizing the Youth Forum, a project that aims to debate ideas and exchange opinions on themes and issues identified by young people, which will be promoted – in this pandemic phase – through digital platforms.
The theme of the first forum will be chosen through online voting, soon to be posted on the social networks of the Vila Real de Santo António City Council.

Covid-19: 114 users and employees of the Santa Casa da Misericórdia of São Brás de Alportel were vaccinated.
In compliance with the National Vaccination Plan against Covid-19, 114 users and employees of Santa Casa da Misericórdia of São Brás de Alportel received this Monday, the first dose of the vaccine.
According to the municipality, the vaccination took place at the premises of Santa Casa da Misericórdia and was administered by professionals from the Algarve Regional Health Administration.
The municipality recalls that 24 firefighters from the Voluntary Firefighters Corporation and all users and employees of the São Brás House of Health and Rest are already vaccinated with the first dose of vaccination.
Regarding the next steps, namely the extension of vaccination to seniors and the population, the municipality has already made available to the health entities in the region all its spaces, logistics and human resources, if they can be useful in this operation.
https://www.algarveprimeiro.com/d/covid19-114-utentes-e-funcionarios-da-santa-casa-da-misericordia-de-sao-bras-de-alportel-foram-vacinados-/36808-1

New Cardiology Service at the Hospital and University Centre of the Algarve (CHUA) after requalification works at the Hospital Unit in Faro.
The inauguration of the rehabilitation works of the Cardiology Service at the Faro Hospital Unit of the Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Algarve (CHUA) takes place today, Wednesday, February 17th, at 11 am.
The works allowed the expansion of the Electrophysiology area and the creation of an Echocardiography Room and a Recovery Room, next to the Coronary Unit, with the objective of supporting these two areas. In terms of comfort and improvement of facilities, the general intervention in the entire service also covered the painting of spaces, replacement of ceilings, lighting and electrical installation, modernization of patient call systems and fire detection, air conditioning installation in corridor and replacement of the floor, in a total remodelling area of ​​780 square meters.
As explained by the Clinical Director, Horácio Guerreiro, “with these works, the global logistics of the service have improved, especially the functionality in the areas of Hemodynamics and Electrophysiology, therefore in the intervention procedures, where the service, traditionally, is very strong. It can be said that it is a work that increases the safety and comfort conditions of users and professionals who work there “.

Algarve Situation Report Saturday 13th February 2021
Covid-19: Reduction in the number of cases and vaccination leave entities optimistic in the Algarve
Today, health organisations were optimistic about the evolution of Covid-19 in the Algarve, due to the reduction in the number of new cases and hospitalisations and the beginning of vaccination.
At the fortnightly press conference of the Civil Protection District, in Loulé, in the district of Faro, the regional health delegate stated that the region is going through a “good time” with a “drop in the number of cases”.
Ana Cristina Guerreiro also revealed that, in the last 24 hours, there are “106 new cases” and “7 deaths” in the Algarve.
There are “185 inpatients in the region, 30 in intensive care units (ICU)”, of which 12 are ventilated, said the official.
Ana Cristina Guerreiro said that, in the Algarve, the peak of cases occurred on “January 26th”, classifying that as the “worst day” of this third wave.
The regional health delegate also indicated the 4th of February as the worst for hospitals, since, “since that time the pressure has been eased, albeit slowly”.
The official was also concerned about the situation in nursing homes, where outbreaks are still registered, with currently “561 cases in the Algarve, mainly in residents, but also in some employees”.
For the delegate, the existence of these cases is due “essentially to the fact that the disease circulates in the community”.
https://www.algarveprimeiro.com/files/resizes/noticias/730X407/img_602689064ef3c.jpg

Outbreaks at 16 care homes in the Algarve
There are outbreaks in 16 homes in the Algarve, which are associated with a total of 561 cases of Covid-19, revealed this Friday Ana Cristina Guerreiro, Regional Health Delegate, at the press conference to assess the epidemiological situation in the Algarve.
Many of these outbreaks have been going on for several weeks and there are even places where there are no active cases among users, such as the home of the Santa Maria Parish Center in Tavira, as well as the Semear Afetos Day Center, where all those affected have already been discharged.
Ana Cristina Guerreiro also said that of the 280 deaths by Covid-19 that have already occurred in the region, since the beginning of the pandemic, “82 were in homes”.
According to data from the Regional Health Authority, the county with the most outbreaks in homes is Faro, where there are cases in five institutions.
There are 57 cases associated with Cantinho do Avô, while 47 with the Residential Structures for the Elderly (ERPI) of Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Faro.
Still in the Algarve capital, there are active outbreaks in the Parish Centre of Santa Bárbara de Nexe (16 cases, in accumulated total), in the Semear Afetos Day Center (7 cases, all of them already discharged) and in the ERPI Torre de Natal (4) .
The municipalities of Albufeira and Loulé each have outbreaks in three homes.
In Albufeira, the outbreak of the Roseiral home (69 cases), the Casa de Repouso da Senhora da Guia (39) and the Nossa Senhora da Visitação home in Guia (19) are still active.
Loulé has outbreaks in the home of Ribeira, in Tôr (61), in the ERPI of the Social and Cultural Association of Almancil (27), Home of the SCM of Loulé (20).
The list also includes the homes of SCM in Monchique (47 cases), in the residential structure for people with disabilities of ACASO, in Olhão (14 cases), in the home Rainha dona Leonor, in Lagos (41), in the home of SCM in Armação de Pêra, in Silves (19) and in the Santa Maria home, in Tavira (74).
The 561 cases mentioned by the regional health delegate are “essentially of residents, but also include those of employees”.
https://www.sulinformacao.pt/2021/02/ha-surtos-de-covid-19-em-16-lares-do-algarve/

Covid-19: Câmara de Tavira allocates 450 thousand euros to support companies
The Câmara de Tavira announced today that it will allocate 450 thousand euros to a Fund to Support Entrepreneurs to help the sustainability of companies with revenues up to 350 thousand euros affected by the crisis caused by the pandemic of Covid-19.
“As of February 15th, the period for submitting applications to the Tavira Entrepreneurs Support Fund (FAET) is open, with the available amount of 450 thousand euros. This action is promoted by the Association for the Integrated Development of Baixa de Tavira with the support of the Municipality and is aimed at companies with revenues of up to 350 thousand euros”, the municipality announced in a statement.
Applications are open until June 30th or until “the estimated budget is used up” and the measure aims to “revitalise the county’s business fabric, mitigate the harmful effects of the serious economic crisis, keep companies in business and ensure maintenance jobs”, justified the Faro District Council.
The municipality stated that companies that started operations before 2019 must have “essential conditions” to access the fund “a drop in revenue, of at least 25%, in the year 2020, compared to the same period”.
For companies with activity started in 2019, “a decrease in the average monthly billing, reported to the Customs Tax Authority (AT) in the e-Invoice system” will be recorded.
In this case, the drop “should be at least 25%, in the period between March and December 2020, compared to the monthly average between the month of beginning of activity and the month of February last year”, explained the municipality.
For this accounting, “only the full calendar months will be considered”, stressed the same source.

Algarve
Situation Report Wednesday 10th February 2021
Covid-19: University of Algarve studies the use of saliva in the detection of SARS-Cov-2
The is studying the use of saliva in the collection of samples to detect the new coronavirus; a less invasive method compared to the classic test against the mucosa of the nose, one Portuguese told Lusa investigator.
According to Clévio Nóbrega, from the UAlg Biomedicine Research Center (CBMR), the objective is to try to “validate other methods” for the collection of samples, especially for “children and people with some pathologies”, since the current PCR method is “Very invasive”.
Speaking to Lusa, the official said that the investigation sought to compare the efficacy of saliva collection with nasopharyngeal and subsequent analysis by PCR, a process based on molecular biology and which allows an increase in the amount of genetic material to detect the new coronavirus (SARS- Cov-2).
In collaboration with the Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Algarve (CHUA), the researchers obtained samples from hospitalised patients through three types of collection: the “classic” nasopharyngeal (with the collection of secretions from the nose), through the saliva and oropharynx, obtained at the bottom throat.
According to Clévio Nóbrega, “the same results” were obtained, and it was possible to detect by saliva “the same level” as “classical” sampling, which means that, in some cases, “this type of collection”.
The use of this method is still “not possible”, because “authorisation is required” from the National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge Instituto Ricardo Jorge (INSA), where the data were sent.
Clévio Nóbrega recognizes, however, that it is understandable that the focus is on “continuing mass testing and not so much on optimisation” of collection methods.
Meanwhile, the researchers will continue to carry out “additional tests” to confirm that the results are “in fact reliable”, something that has been “confirmed”, he stressed.

Covid-19: Vila Real de Santo António firefighters hope to return to normal next week
The Vila Real de Santo António firefighters, affected by an outbreak of Covid-19 detected on Saturday, hope to restore the corporation to normal operations “starting next week”, the commander told Lusa.
Nuno Pereira said that the initial cases reported on Sunday accounted for 12 infected elements of the corporation and that 38 were in isolation, but clarified that “the cases that are in isolation include and incorporate the positive cases”, so the total number of affected elements is 38 and not 50.
“Of these [12 infected], 10 were wage earners and two were volunteers, who had no direct connection with them, but as they are from the firefighters they are also quantified,” he added, correcting the data initially put forward by the Humanitarian Association on Sunday.
The commander of the Voluntary Firefighters of Vila Real de Santo António said that, “little by little, people are being tested and released” and “at this moment a team is already working and a reinforcement of voluntary personnel to ensure the first intervention 24 hours a day”.
“We hope that the situation will change quickly, tomorrow another team will be tested, which if they continue to test negative they will recover and allow a greater reinforcement of the fire brigade’s readiness”, he stressed.
Nuno Pereira guaranteed that the fire department of Vila Real de Santo António, which also provides assistance in the neighbouring municipality of Castro Marim, “never failed to respond to the first intervention”.
https://www.algarveprimeiro.com/d/covid-19-bombeiros-de-vila-real-de-santo-antonio-esperam-voltar-a-normalidade-na-proxima-semana/36699-83

Castro Marim tests the entire population at Covid-19
Castro Marim will test the entire population of the county for Covid-19 as of Saturday, the 13th, to see if it ends “once and for all” with the strong spread of the disease in the county.
The tests will be made available free of charge to all citizens, being only necessary to make an appointment, through the email Biblioteca@cm-castromarim.pt or by contacting 281 510 747 or 281 510 778 (9:00 am – 5:00 pm) and 961 743 222 (9:00 am) -20h00).
The exceptions are children up to 10 years old or people already immunized, because they had the vaccine or because they had the disease.
In order to make this mass testing operation possible, the Castro Marim Chamber bought “4 thousand rapid tests” and counts on the help of about two dozen health professionals “who volunteered to collect and do all the work, without charge for anything,” Francisco Amaral, Mayor of Castro Marim, revealed.
“This Saturday and Sunday we will have five collection points operating at the Pavilhão Municipal de Castro Marim, two for people who come by car and three for those who come on foot. We are waiting for a great response”, revealed the mayor, who is also a doctor.
The collection is done with a swab, through the nose, and “the test result is quite fast”.
The following weekend, on the 20th and 21st, the tests will be taken to the population that lives the most isolated, “namely in the parishes of Azinhal and Odeleite”, through the Mobile Health Unit.
https://www.sulinformacao.pt/2021/02/castro-marim-testa-toda-a-populacao-a-covid-19/

Loulé celebrates Carnival but with online initiatives
The Municipality of Loulé, the organizing body of Carnival, does not want to miss this moment and will promote some initiatives alluding to this tradition strongly rooted in the local community.
“We live in difficult times, with a pandemic affecting millions of families around the world, and it would be impossible to organize a Carnival as we know it, with the gathering of the public and the enthusiastic interaction between the revellers. But we are aware of the importance of this party for the Louletanos and we could not fail to point out and bring a little of the spirit of Loulé Carnival to all who are confined”, underlined Vítor Aleixo, president of the municipality.
In a press release, the municipality added that the main initiatives will take place online, “allowing everyone to follow this program in the safety and comfort of their homes, without jeopardizing compliance with the rules implemented in this state of emergency in which the country is experiencing”.
On the 14th, 15th and 16th of February, a virtual exhibition with images from old editions of the Corsican, where the themes that have served as satire to the parade, artistic quality will be published on the municipality’s social networks, namely Facebook and YouTube. applied in the execution of floats or the beauty of the facts and props of the extras that, for over 100 years, have given colour and joy to Avenida José da Costa Mealha.
On February 15th, starting at 9:30 pm, it will be possible to attend an Online Carnival Ball. The traditional Gala Ball at Nera’s “Palácio” is replaced this year by a ball broadcast in streaming, through the Facebook of the Municipality of Loulé. From the Solar da Música Nova Auditorium, the Fora d´Horas Orchestra takes to the home of the Louletan families, but also to all parts of the globe, known themes of Carnival, above all a lot of samba, which will certainly be an invitation to a dancing feet in the living room or any other improvised space in the rooms.
https://www.algarveprimeiro.com/d/loule-assinala-carnaval-mas-com-iniciativas-online/36701-1

Algarve
Algarve Situation Report Saturday 6th February
Covid-19 trends and hospitalisations in the Region
The District Civil Protection Commission of Faro today revealed the epidemiological situation in the Algarve with 3,726 active cases of Covid-19.
According to data from the regional health delegate of the Algarve, 18,059 infected were registered until yesterday, another 193 in the last 24 hours and 14,093 recovered (cumulative).
There are 3,453 patients recovering at home, plus 273 hospitalized, 39 in the Intensive Care Units and 22 ventilated. The same source said that since the beginning of the pandemic, 240 deaths have been recorded in the region.
At the moment 4,873 people are under active surveillance and 337 (cumulative) were discharged.
Compared to last week’s bulletin, 2,286 fewer active cases and 1,645 new cases are confirmed. A further 3,885 people are recovered.
There are 26 more people hospitalized, 5 more patients in intensive care and 5 more ventilated. Under active surveillance there are less than 1,591 people.

Ualg Team” provides lectures for students and teachers in response to the state of emergency
Given the current pandemic situation and the return of distance learning, the University of Algarve, with the objective of continuing to strengthen the relationship between higher education and basic and secondary education, adjusted the “Team UAlg” initiative to the new reality.
In a statement, the institute of higher education informs that it will make available a set of lectures and other actions, free and informal, in an online format, taking into account the needs of students.
According to the publication, the UAlg Team is an initiative of the University of Algarve that, in addition to allowing closer relations, aims to provide students and teachers of basic and secondary schools with in-depth knowledge in diverse scientific areas and raise awareness of the importance of entering higher education.
Mainly held by UAlg professors, the lectures may be integrated into the programs of the disciplines and activities provided by the schools, now in an online format. The themes are defined according to the age groups and the level of training of the recipients.

Covid-19: After the suffocation, Tavira comes out of extreme risk
The municipality of Tavira registered this Thursday, 5 new cases, for 232 accumulated in the last 14 days, per 100 thousand inhabitants, below the 236 that enter the highest level of contagion.
Despite descending to “very high risk”, it is still a news of hope for those in Tavira, after the suffocation that they have been living with a virus that gained strength in the county, due to the British variant. Today also the direction of Lar de Santa Maria in Tavira, announced that the outbreak that killed 13 users is over, with the discharge of the last patient.
In this Thursday’s bulletin, on the epidemiological situation in the county, there are 141 active cases and 285 in prophylactic isolation. Since the beginning of the pandemic, 1459 cases have been confirmed, 1294 recovered and 24 deaths.
https://www.algarveprimeiro.com/d/covid19-depois-do-sufoco-tavira-sai-de-risco-extremo-/36628-1

Covid-19: ARS Algarve strengthens psychological support
Anxiety, depression and panic attacks are symptoms that have been on the rise since the beginning of the pandemic. Regional Health Administration (ARS) of the Algarve is strengthening the response to the population and health professionals.
During the first confinement, last March, ARS do Algarve joined forces to create a telephone line capable of providing psychological support to the collateral damage of the Covid-19 pandemic, which opened on April 6, 2020.
“As soon as we knew there was going to be confinement, we immediately started to think about how we could collaborate, in order to have an answer that, from the start, we felt would be useful. ARS endorsed and used our proposal in response to the Regional Office for Mental Health crisis.
“The service is based on a telephone line, with a response that lies between crisis intervention and brief intervention, where we make about 10 calls per user, depending on the needs of each one. In practice, we provide psychological counselling by phone. Contacts are made until we feel that the situation is stabilized or directed to other structures with more thorough care”, explains Natacha Gonçalves, a psychologist at the Albufeira Health Centre,
Almost a year after the opening of the line, more than 300 people sought this help. The vast majority are young and old, not positive, but suffering.
“In reality, situations linked directly to Covid-19 have not been many. They have been, mainly, due to collateral damage: great increase of anxiety; stressful situations; previous depression situations, which in the meantime worsen; some suicidal ideation and panic attacks. They are very varied pathologies, but mainly linked to anxiety issues. In fact, the anxiety and depression that were already prevalent in our population, even before the pandemic, but that with this situation have worsened or created new case”, explains the professional, who already has almost 30 years of experience in the health area mental.
https://barlavento.sapo.pt/destaque/covid-19-ars-algarve-reforca-o-apoio-psicologico

PS Portimão recognizes Isilda Gomes’ work in fighting the pandemic
The Socialist Party of Portimão highlights the “determined, selfless, solid and exemplary” way in which the citizens and institutions of the community have, “for the most part”, fought the battle against the Covid-19 pandemic.
In a statement, the PS says that Portimão has been a national reference in the way it was organized, “anticipating problems, anticipating responses, ensuring all conditions for the community in the prevention and treatment of this serious pandemic”, referring to the work of the institutions, health and safety authorities, civil protection agents, parish and city hall officials, mayors and ordinary citizens “who have been faultless in this struggle”.
The socialists who speak of Portimão, as a “solidary city”, recall that in this pandemic, in addition to activating Support and Reception Areas for the Population (ZAP), a field hospital, (CHUA Arena), “investment” was also installed, “that has welcomed Covid-19 patients from other Portuguese cities, who have seen their hospitals full due to the worsening of the pandemic.
In the same statement, the PS emphasizes “the many militants and mayors of the party in Portimão who have been at the forefront of this struggle, their contribution having been predominant in ensuring that the impact of Covid-19 is as small as possible in our community”.
In this sense, the party speaks “of the most elementary justice, not only recognizing this fact, but also highlighting the decisive and unsurpassable role that Isilda Gomes has assumed in this fight, not begging for efforts to ensure that Portimonenses have been spared this disease” .
https://www.algarveprimeiro.com/d/ps-portimao-reconhece-trabalho-de-isilda-gomes-no-combate-a-pandemia/36633-82
 

Algarve Situation Report Wednesday 3rd February
CHUA Arena can have an Intensive Care Unit if needed
There is still “no need”, but, “if necessary”, an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) will be created inside the CHUA Arena, in Portimão, guaranteed this Monday, February 1st, Ana Castro, chairman of the Board of Administration of the Centro Universitário do Algarve (CHUA).
Speaking to Sul Informação, the official said that, for now, “there is still the capacity to expand” hospital capacity, without having to resort to CHUA Arena.
According to data from 1st February, there were 33 patients admitted to the field hospital, with a total capacity of 100.
On his visit to the Algarve yesterday, the Assistant Secretary of State for Health made sure to highlight the “extraordinary upgrade” that CHUA Arena has been doing.
“We started with little more than a back-up structure for patients with Covid-19 with low oxygen flows, 2.3 liters per minute, and we have evolved into situations where high flow is possible, with level 2 patients being treated”, He told reporters.
António Lacerda Sales also alluded to the meeting he had with Ana Castro, where the chairman of the Board of Directors of CHUA assured him that, “as soon as it was necessary, there are certainly fans available to set up an UCI inside the Arena”.
This field hospital was initially set up to treat patients with less critical situations and has also served to receive people from other regions of the country.
https://www.sulinformacao.pt/2021/02/chua-arena-pode-ter-unidade-de-cuidados-intensivos-se-for-necessario/

Lagos PSP discovers restaurant that served lunch and dinner behind closed doors
The Public Security Police (PSP), this Monday detected a restaurant in Lagos, which was serving meals inside to several customers.
In a statement, the PSP states that the inspection took place, after several complaints by citizens who anonymously reported that there would be an establishment operating behind closed doors in the Atalaia area, “serving meals during the lunch period and dinner at groups of people who work in the city from other parts of the country “.
The police said that the establishment welcomed people through a back entrance. In the operation, PSP identified 10 customers, who were at the table for lunch. The same source found that “there would be an agreement between the establishment and some companies to provide meals at a more affordable price to their employees”.
As a result of the police action, the owner of the restaurant was charged for keeping the establishment operating outside the rules set out in article 2 al) J Dec-Law 28-b / 2020, as well as the customers who were inside it, for breach of the general duty of confinement at home.

Covid.19: Situation in Monchique worsens with 52 active cases
The Municipality of Monchique has seen its epidemiological situation worsen sharply in recent days, as a result of the outbreak that occurred at the Lar da Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Monchique (SCMM).
In this Monday’s update, four more new cases of Covid-19 were registered in the parish of Monchique. Of these four cases, two are users of the SCMM Home and two more in the community. In the outbreak at Lar da Santa Casa alone, DGS confirmed 30 infected people, 26 users and 4 employees. The municipality registers 52 active cases.
According to the mayor Rui André, this Monday tests were carried out for the 5th and 6th grade classes at Escola EB 2,3 in Monchique and a wide range of education professionals and parents of students. The strategy aims to test the largest number of people and thus control possible chains of contagion.
It should be remembered that in the update this Monday, between 13th and 26th January, the Algarve had 7 counties at extreme risk: Castro Marim, Vila Real de Stº António, Albufeira, Loulé, Faro, Tavira and Olhão.
At very high risk, Lagos, Silves, Alcoutim, São Brás de Alportel, Portimão and Lagoa. At high risk the municipality of Vila do Bispo and at moderate risk, Aljezur and Monchique, the latter with the lowest incidence base in the region, however, with the new data both in the community and with the outbreak that occurred in the home of Santa Casa, the municipality will be at extreme risk in the next assessment.

Algarve Situation Report Saturday 30th January 2021
Covid 19 situation
Yesterday in the Algarve there are over 327 confirmed cases, for a total of 16,356. There are another ten deaths, now totalling 193.
Gambelas Private Hospital will have a testing post for Covid-19
As of next Monday, February 1st, the HPA Group, in partnership with Unilabs, will provide another testing station for Covid-19 this time at the Hospital Particular de Gambelas, in Faro.
This fixed post, with access by foot (walk-thru) will operate daily, from Monday to Sunday from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm. According to a statement from the Group, the tests may be carried out by RT-PCR (swab) or Antigen (IgG and IgM antibodies through blood analysis), with the results available between 24H to 48H and about 2H after testing (within opening hours).
It also warns that the IgG and IgM Antigen serological tests should not be performed in the acute phase of the infection, as they may give a false negative result.
Anyone wishing to opt for the drive-thru system, not needing to leave their vehicle to perform the test, can do it in Portimão at the Parque de Feiras e Exposições, also from Monday to Sunday from 9:00 to 18:00.
Both methods always require prior booking through the call centers (282 420 400; 222 401 401) or the website (https://www.unilabs.pt/marcacoes-covid-19#).
https://www.algarveprimeiro.com/d/hospital-particular-de-gambelas-vai-ter-posto-de-testagem-a-covid19/36529-1
Covid-19: Loulé Hospital continues to provide face-to-face consultations in all medical specialties
The Loulé Hospital reported that even in times of pandemic and general confinement, it continues to ensure that face-to-face consultations are held in all medical specialties, and its medical staff is currently available to assist users in accordance with health hygiene and safety rules, required by health authorities.
In a statement, the hospital administration says that with the start of the pandemic, it reorganized services “in order to guarantee a safe and properly hygienic functioning and service model for the public, in line with the best international practices”.
In the same document he stressed that the postponement of consultations, surgeries, treatments and exams “has the consequence of worsening the disease, which can and should be avoided, for the sake of public health”, and that “regardless of the current situation that the world faces, it remains imperative to treat people who suffer from other pathologies, under pain of their health condition getting complicated “, he concluded.
https://www.algarveprimeiro.com/d/covid19-hospital-de-loule-continua-a-assegurar-consultas-presenciais-em-todas-as-especialidades-medicas/36531-1
Loulé provides psychological support for students and parents
With schools closed and most of the families in confinement in their homes, the Loulé City Council promotes access to Line Solidarity Education.
This telephone line, accessible by contacting 966 951 913, operates from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm and is intended for all students who attend school groups in the municipality of Loulé, constituting a psychological counselling service for young people and guardians.
It also intends to combat misinformation about the new coronavirus and to mitigate feelings of guilt, fear, anxiety, as well as the social impact of the pandemic. It also has a study support component, namely access to photocopies, prints and other study documents for students who lack these means.
It should be noted that this initiative is an integrated service and provided by the School Psychology Support Program (PAPE), with the involvement of psychologists who provide psychological and psycho-pedagogical support to students in schools.
“Based on the premise that the school is a safe, welcoming space that promotes development and physical and mental health, the psychological dimension is essential at this particularly difficult time for the whole community”, stress the city officials.

Algarve Situation Report Wednesday 27th January 2021
Municipality of Olhão creates Support Centre for Public Health
In view of the significant increase in the number of positive cases and people in prophylactic isolation in the municipality of Olhão, the Ministry decided to create a Support Center for Public Health, which has been in full operation since last Thursday, January 21st, and that this afternoon (26th January) was visited by the mayor, António Miguel Pina.
According to the municipality, in a statement, the structure, included in the Municipal Civil Protection Emergency Plan, is part of the Municipal Operational Command Post, and works under the coordination of the Health Delegate at the José Mariano Gago Municipal Library.
The operation was preceded by a training program directed to the technicians of the municipality, taught by public health doctors, where all the protocols of their performance were defined. In addition to technicians from the Public Health Unit of Olhão and the Municipal Civil Protection Service, 32 other municipal employees were temporarily assigned to this service, whose activity, due to the current context, was suspended, highlights the same source.
Among other functions, the employees of this Centre will carry out the epidemiological monitoring of the population, namely with the conduct of epidemiological surveys, increasing the effectiveness of monitoring people under active surveillance, an operation that the municipality considers essential to lock the transmission chains.
In addition, they will also proceed with the production and sending of all the inherent documentation, namely the prophylactic isolation statements.
https://www.algarveprimeiro.com/d/municipio-de-olhao-cria-nucleo-de-apoio-a-saude-publica/36492-1

Covid-19: Loulé celebrates Carnival with decorations, photos and prom in streaming
Loulé will celebrate Carnival with decorations, photographs from previous editions and ‘placards’ in the main artery of the city, in addition to the Internet transmission of the ball, the municipality revealed to Lusa.
“We live with the problem and we have to adapt and face the problem and play Carnival with the Covid-19, it is also a way to hide the problem”, defended the Mayor of Loulé, Vítor Aleixo.
According to the mayor, there will be no floats or bands to parade, but “small structures” with “dolls” and photographs of “old-style carnival corsages” will be installed in “fourth or five points” on Avenida José da Costa Mealha.
It is also planned that “a bus with an animator” will circulate through the main streets of Loulé to allow people to “see it from their windows”.
The route will be transmitted in streaming – via the Internet – because there is still the indecision “if people will be confined on the date”, added the Mayor of Loulé.
There will also be a dance, in a format without assistance, with the performance of the band that traditionally animates the night to be transmitted via Internet, for those who want to feel the “spirit and atmosphere of the Carnival balls”.
Vítor Aleixo warned, however, that there is still a dose of uncertainty in this program, assuming that it is a “proposal that is made” to anyone who finds the disposition to, “in this very different way and adapted to a pandemic circumstance”, celebrate Carnival.
The mayor also stressed that the municipality did not want to “fail to remember the date” and, in a kind of “fidelity to one of the most rooted festive traditions in the community”, to continue to celebrate it, choosing precisely Covid-19 as the theme for the 2021 edition.
The Loulé Carnival is one of the oldest in the country, attracting thousands of people annually.
However, said the Mayor, this year this will not happen, which will have a major impact “on hotel and local accommodation”, as well as on “local restaurants and shops”.
“We estimate that there are more than three million euros of which the local economy is private, at a time when it was so needed”, estimated Vítor Aleixo.
https://www.algarveprimeiro.com/d/covid-19-loule-celebra-carnaval-com-decoracoes-fotografias-e-baile-em-streaming/36491-1

Faro suspends parking charges
The municipality of Faro has suspended the payment of parking in tariff areas in areas throughout the county, while maintaining circulation restrictions, the municipality announced today.
The measure went into effect this afternoon and follows the evolution of the Covid-19 pandemic seen in recent days.
The suspension has a “significant impact”, in the order of “55 thousand euros per month”, in the accounts of the municipal company Ambifaro, which since June 2019 took over the management of parking meters in the city, the Mayor of Faro told Lusa, Rogério Bacalhau.
Rogério Bacalhau assumed that the decision should remain “in principle until the end of the month, as long as confinement lasts”, but “if there is another confinement” the situation “will remain until it ends”.
With this extraordinary measure, the municipality intends, above all, to safeguard the parking of residents in the tariff zones that are now forced to collect in their homes.
During the first period of confinement, last year, the municipality took a similar decision, integrated in what it called measures to support the economy, with the suspension of payment of parking meters in April and May, reflecting an impact of 110 thousand euros in the accounts of the municipal company.
For the Mayor of Faro this is a “fair and timely” measure and serves mainly to “give a signal to the citizens” that, while this most acute phase of the pandemic lasts, it is necessary that “everyone stay home, only leaving for justified and imperative reason “.
Municipality of Vila Real de Santo António keeps school cafeterias open
In order to assist economically vulnerable families, the municipality of Vila Real de Santo António will maintain the dining halls under its jurisdiction in operation in the three parishes, thus ensuring the provision of school meals to students covered by the Social Action (ASE), by prior appointment of parents.
In a note issued today, the city council states that in the parish of Vila Nova de Cacela the refectory of the Manuel Cabanas Kindergarten will be in operation, which is managed by the municipality, and the direction of the group contacted the parents of the students covered by the school social action in order to verify which families are interested.
Considering that, among the students enjoying meals, some were in isolation, the direction of the Grouping, with the agreement of the municipality, chose to provide meals on a take-away basis.
At Monte Gordo basic school and the 2nd and 3rd cycle D. José I, the school cafeterias, managed by the D. José I School Group, will also remain open for the provision of meals to students covered by the ASE, in person.
At the Santo António School, the cafeteria managed by the Municipality of VRSA will also remain open for the provision of meals.
Caregivers of students from the D. José I Group who are interested in this service, as communicated by the principal, must proceed with the prior appointment of meals.
According to the information provided by the Regional Education Delegate to the Group Directors, meals must be served in person or, exceptionally, on a take-away basis.
https://www.algarveprimeiro.com/d/covid19-municipio-de-vila-real-de-santo-antonio-mantem-refeitorios-escolares-abertos/36483-1

Covid-19: Campers and motorhomes choose Algarve for security confinement
Campers and motorhomes choose campsites in the Algarve to comply with the confinement imposed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, some combining nature with teleworking, highlighting the security conditions they encounter in the south of the country.
Amidst the trees of Salema’s Eco Camp, in Budens, in the municipality of Vila do Bispo, the area reserved for motorhomes has an occupation of over a hundred people, with the usual retired tourists, but not only these.
“We had a retired senior camping client in the Algarve, and that has completely changed. We are in an age range of around 40-45 years, with many ‘digital nomads’, working remotely, with many people who have decided to leave Europe’s big urban centers and spend their confinement in the middle of nature, possibly in the most sure that it exists, that it is Portugal and the Algarve”, revealed to Lusa Joaquim Lourenço, leader of the Association of Alentejo and Algarve Camping Sites (APCAA).
This is the new reality most present in parks where there is a demand for “sea sports, such as ‘surfing’ and spearfishing”, and where it is possible to “combine life in nature”. The infrastructures normally sought by the “seniors”, on the other hand, have a “lesser demand”, he added.
The director and owner of Eco Camp Salema refers to the investment he had to make in improving the internet access network, such was the demand for people in telework.
In March last year, during the first confinement decreed by the Government in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, the campsites had to close, reopening only in mid-May with a maximum capacity of two thirds of their total capacity.

Algarve Situation Report Saturday 23rd January 2021
Cases of schoolchildren in the Algarve almost double in less than a month – authorities say
The number of school-age children in the Algarve infected with the new coronavirus has almost doubled since Christmas, compared to the previous nine months, said the regional health delegate today.
“Since the beginning of the pandemic and until Christmas, we had 872 cases in school children up to 16 years old. And then, since Christmas and up to two days ago, we had 818. Therefore, in a much shorter period a number almost equivalent “, said Ana Cristina Guerreiro.
The official, who was speaking at the usual press conference promoted by the District Civil Protection Commission of Faro, clarified that this increase, caused by family transmissions, is in line with the whole country.
“Since the beginning of the school season, many cases have arisen, which came from family transmission. And the epidemiological investigation caused many of the classes to go home in prophylactic isolation. This caused, in the whole country, a very large number of cases at home and a high number of cases that had not existed before; such a large number of school children with a positive test “, he added.
According to the regional health delegate, in the Algarve, which had an average of 350 to 400 daily cases in the last ten days, the “moment is complicated and demanding, just as in all regions in the country”.
The “main concerns” of regional health authorities are related to nursing homes – there are more than 100 in the region, both legal and illegal – and to long-term care units.
“There are 12 institutions [nursing homes], at this moment, with outbreaks”, with a total of 421 cases, between residents and employees, revealed Ana Cristina Guerreiro.
Regarding testing capacity, the president of the Regional Health Administration (ARS) of the Algarve, Paulo Morgado, stressed that the region is above the national average, currently around two thousand daily tests – seven times more than in the first wave, in March (about 300 a day).
“It is a considerable increase. We are in fact testing and testing a lot. I would even say, in percentage terms, above what is the national average, in terms of testing per 100 thousand inhabitants. We are testing a lot in the region and it is an aspect about which I wanted to reassure the Algarvians, passing on this message “, he stressed.
As for vaccination, 2,000 health professionals have already been vaccinated, in addition to 2,000 home users and integrated long-term care units in the region.
“In the eastern counties, this process is finished and is now taking place in the central and western Algarve counties, continuing over the next few days. It is flowing smoothly, without serious side effects of the vaccine, without complications”, underlined the president of ARS, Algarve.
The official also stressed that the line of psychological support provided by health centres in the Algarve region is helping a total of 263 people.
“There has been an increase in requests in recent weeks. It is an important service, because the pandemic has psychological consequences. They are there, there are those, in the population and professionals, who have been under great pressure in recent months,” said Paulo Morgado.

Covid.19: More personal protection material on the way to the Algarve
The District Civil Protection Commission of the Algarve reported that the municipality of Olhão, through its Municipal Civil Protection Service, the fire brigade, and the company TPO – Transportes e Logística, are launching a logistical operation for the transport of protective equipment Individual, (EPI’s) from the Military Laboratory of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Products, in Lisbon, to the Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Algarve.
The operation involves 3 semi-trailers and 8 firefighters, with the support of the company TPO – Transportes e Logística, which provided two containers.
The goods were loaded this morning in Lisbon, and are expected to arrive at the Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Algarve this afternoon.
PPE’s will later be distributed throughout the region.

VRSA Municipality closes walkways, playgrounds and sports equipment
The municipality of VRSA prohibited the access walkways to the municipality’s beaches, in order to avoid the crowding of people in public spaces in order to stop the spread of Covid-19.
In a statement issued this Friday, the municipality informs that it has also determined the ban on the use of garden benches, playgrounds and public equipment for sports.
In the case of walkways, access was restricted at the entrances, through the placement of signs and stalls, which will also imply a ban on movement in these structures. In the remaining equipment, signs and boundary tape were placed.
Only owners and employees of restaurants located in these areas or customers who need to go to said commercial establishments can access the walkways, in strict compliance with the applicable legal regulations, namely for the collection of meals in restaurants that are operating in take away regime.
The municipality recalls that this measure follows the provisions of Article 35-A of Decree No. 3-A / 2021, of January 14th, in its most recent version, as well as the recommendations made by the Government of the Republic regarding the closure of public spaces due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Covid-19: CHUA or ABC who will ask for the refund of the 30 broken ventilators?
The administration of the Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Algarve (CHUA) told Lusa that it is up to the Algarve Biomedical Center (ABC) to request the reimbursement of the 30 broken ventilators, but this entity discards responsibilities and refers the process to CHUA.
The devices were purchased by ABC in April 2020, with money donated by the Algarve Intermunicipal Community (AMAL), but they did not pass the tests carried out by the Hospital Common Use Services (SUCH), with the mayors claiming a refund of 1.3 million euros.
“ABC is 50% CHUA and 50% from the University of Algarve, two respected public entities and knowing that there was a damage, in which he interfered in that damage, he just has to resolve the matter and quickly” said Lusa Paulo Neves, executive member of the CHUA board of directors.
The official defends that “whoever negotiated, knows the manufacturer, the intermediary and paid them”, and they should “execute the guarantees if what they bought is deficient”.
“I do not see how we, who do not have the invoice, who do not know the manufacturer or the intermediary, are going to pursue those who did not pay, it is meaningless”, he maintained.
ABC’s president, Nuno Marques, has another position, stating that CHUA should request the refund since it’s “the legitimate owner of the equipment”, claiming that “there cannot be another entity asking for a refund” of devices from which is owner.
“We are not the owner, we have no legal standing to interfere in the process”, he defended
The official revealed that he was unaware of any decision on a refund request and added that the invoice was issued in the name of ABC but “is in CHUA” since the donation and “as soon as any equipment is donated, the other becomes the owner”.
Nuno Marques stressed that after ABC had “made available to support” and send the supplier’s contacts to CHUA and only learned that the company’s technicians came to Portugal and worked on the ventilators, but from then on he does not know “what the evolution of the process”.
As a financing entity, AMAL revealed to Lusa that, in an analysis with CHUA and ABC, “they understood that one should ask for a refund of the money”, advancing its president that “a commission will be created with one member of each entity”. “I already talked to them and they know about our position,” said António Pina.
Safe Communities Comment
A disturbing situation as 30 ventilators is a large number which may well be needed with the large vast increases we are seeing in the Algarve at present.
https://www.algarveprimeiro.com/d/covid-19-chua-ou-abc-quem-vai-pedir-o-reembolso-dos-30-ventiladores-avariados-/36409-1
 

Algarve Situation Report Wednesday 20th January 2021
Covid-19: Outbreak in the GNR of Albufeira with 10 infected soldiers
Ten military personnel belonging to the GNR of Albufeira Territorial Sub-Detachment, have Covid-19.
The news released by CMTV confirms that two of the infected professionals belong to the Criminal Investigation Nucleus and for the four of them are part of the territorial post of Olhos de Água.
The same source says that the majority of the military has symptoms of the disease, namely “loss of taste and smell”. At the moment there are more than 30 professionals performing insolation at home.
It is known that more tests are being carried out in order to understand the scale of the outbreak

Municipality of Silves articulated a strong response in combating Covid-19
The municipality of Silves, in conjunction with the Delegate of Health and other entities, reported having created conditions for rapid testing of a large number of people, if necessary, allowing to mitigate the Covid-19 disease in the municipality.
In this context, the municipality points out in a statement that within the scope of the Civil Protection Subcommittee for exclusive monitoring of Covid, in addition to creating logistical support and adequate conditions for testing a large number of people, it has been monitoring cases that test positive.
The council also highlights the provision of social and psychological support, the maintenance of municipal transport to support the community, support for the creation of the screening centre for Covid, the availability of FISSUL for the installation of the test centre and the activation of the Emergency Fund Social.
The specific case of testing about 250 students, which took place on January 16th, at EB2 3 Dr. António da Costa Contreiras School, in Armação de Pêra, was one of these measures, resulting in the identification of five students with positive results and two students with inconclusive results.

Deliveries will be made by Rotáxi.
The municipality of Faro has announced the creation of a home delivery service for meals and food as a way to support the local economy during the period of confinement decreed by the government.
The City Council will fully support the deliveries, returning to a measure that had been triggered at the end of November (when the mandatory curfew was decreed, preventing the restoration and other food establishments in the municipality from exercising its normal activity for the purposes of week).
The activation of this service has immediate effects and must be arranged directly between the establishments and the delivery service provider, in this case, Rotáxi.
All catering and food products establishments that can continue to operate in accordance with the measures implemented by the government (Decree 3-A / 2021) can benefit from this service, with the service being operated by participating merchants and not by customers.
More details
 

Algarve Situation Report Saturday 16th January 2021
Covid-19
In the Algarve there are more than 328 confirmed cases since Tuesday bringing the total of 11,710 since the start of the pandemic. There are 10 more deaths, the highest daily total, bringing the total to 111.
New Covid-19 strain detected in Tavira and Faro
The new strain of Covid-19, originating in the South of England, and which has a greater transmissibility, was detected in the municipalities of Faro and Tavira.
The South Information found that the National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge detected the new variant of Covid-19 in three samples collected in the municipality of Faro and one in the municipality of Tavira.
Two of the samples from the municipality of Faro were collected on the 21st of December and another on the 22nd.
The testing in the municipality of Tavira took place on December 20, according to the data consulted by our newspaper.
Last Friday, at the press conference to update the epidemiological situation in the Algarve , Ana Cristina Guerreiro, regional health delegate, revealed that, in view of the «rapid and large» increase in cases in the municipality of Tavira, the authorities suspected the presence of the new strain of the virus in the municipality, adding that samples had been sent to INSA.
To clarify doubts, samples from the municipality of Tavira followed to INSA and confirmation has now arrived, after that institute released, last Tuesday, a new update on the genetic analysis of the new coronavirus. In addition to Tavira, the new strain is also present in Faro.
Paulo Morgado, president of ARS Algarve, contacted by Sul Informação , stressed that the emergence of the new strain in the Algarve “was something that was expected, given that it has a greater ease of propagation” and that there is in the region “an Airport and a very large English community”.
https://www.sulinformacao.pt/2021/01/nova-estirpe-da-covid-19-detetada-em-tavira-e-faro/
 
In general confinement Albufeira municipality extends free take-away service
Following the new general confinement, in effect since midnight this Friday, and the general duty to remain at home, except for authorized trips, the municipality of Albufeira decided to extend support to the take-away service, under the Program “Present Municipality – Vale Restauração”. The service will operate daily, starting tomorrow (Saturday), January 16, and may accompany any renewals of the State of Emergency.
In a note issued to the media, the municipality speaks of a “very simple” process that can be used by all people, regardless of the area of ​​the municipality where they are located.
The first thing to do is consult the list of participating establishments at: https://www.cm-albufeira.pt/content/vale-restauracao , choose the restaurant or similar, check if the service is available, call and make yours order. You must leave your name, contact and postal address, agreeing the payment method. Then, the establishment from which the meal was ordered, should contact Albucoop on 289 58 32 30, which will designate the nearest transport to arrange delivery. Upon delivery, there will be no payment. The service will operate in compliance with the government’s opening hours. The service operates using the “Bolsa de Quilómetros” recently filed with Albucoop – Cooperativa de Rádio Táxis de Albufeira and is valid for all orders at participating establishments, during all days during the mandatory confinement period.

Lagoa among the safest tourist destinations in Europe
European Best Destinations, an organization based in Brussels, which aims to promote culture and tourism in Europe, recently launched the list of the safest European destinations to visit in pandemic times, taking into account respect for current health conditions and restrictions. Lagoa is one of the four Portuguese destinations that punctuate the list of thirteen suggestions in Europe.
In a statement, the municipality points out that among the criteria on which European Best Destinations was based to choose the destinations announced, is the number of active cases of Covid-19 per 100 thousand inhabitants, the number of deaths, the sanitary measures adopted, the recommendations from local authorities to tourists in hotels, local accommodations, shops and restaurants, and average health standards.
In addition to Lagoa, Alentejo, the Azores and Madeira are the other Portuguese destinations considered among the safest in Europe. The list also includes Monte-Carlo, in Monaco; Martinique, in the Lesser Antilles; Tahiti, French Polynesia; Asos, Corfu, Kokkari, Meteora, Ikaria and Cavtat, in Greece, said the municipality.
In the text published by European Best Destinations, which justifies the inclusion of Lagoa in the group of safer tourist destinations, it can be read: “Lagoa implemented measures from an early start to protect the local population and reduce the spread of Covid-19. Bringing together some of the most beautiful jewels in the Algarve such as the beaches of Cova Redonda or Praia Nova and its famous chapel, Praia da Marinha, the villages of Carvoeiro, Ferragudo, Porches (…) Lagoa is probably one of the most beautiful and safe destinations”
Covid.19: JSD Loulé proposes measures to support companies and families in the municipality
The Social Democratic Youth of Loulé considers that in this time of pandemic, local commerce and entrepreneurs “have been left behind despite being the backbone and the engine of the local economy”.
In a statement, JSD Loulé confirms that it has sent today, to the Mayor of Loulé and to the Mayor of the Municipal Assembly, a proposal with measures to support companies and families.
The creation of a fund to support local companies; the exemption from payment of sanitation fees for waste water and urban waste in water billing for families and companies and the exemption from paying parking meters in areas surrounding traditional / local commerce, are measures contained in the proposal issued, as made known.
 
 
 
Algarve Situation Report – Wednesday 13th January 2020
Covid.19: Vaccination has reached homes in the Algarve
Yesterday began the vaccination plan against Covid-19 in the Residential Structures for the Elderly (ERPI) and in the Units of the Integrated Continuing Care Network (UCCI) in the Algarve.
According to the Regional Health Administration of the Algarve (ARS), the vaccination of ERPI users and professionals and RNCCI units in the municipalities of Tavira and Albufeira is already planned, considering that they are two of the municipalities with the highest incidence of Covid-19 in the region, but can be extended to other municipalities throughout the week.
The first to be vaccinated, this morning (Tuesday), were the users and professionals of the Quinta da Palmeira Centre Home in Albufeira and the Media Duration and Rehabilitation Unit of the Tavira Integrated Continuous Care Network. In the afternoon, users and professionals of the Loulé Convalescence Unit and of the Long Term and Maintenance Unit of Vila Real de Santo António have also been vaccinated, notes the ARS.
Within the scope of the National Vaccination Plan against Covid-19, in this first phase, in accordance with the priorities defined by the DGS and the respective delivery of vaccines to the country, in addition to health professionals, the vaccination of users and professionals of all the ERPI and the RNCCI units in the region, by health teams from the three Health Centre Groups of the Algarve that will travel to these structures during the months of January and February.

Loulé Chamber intensifies measures to combat Covid with reinforced tests
The Municipality of Loulé informed that it is reinforcing measures to combat the pandemic, at a time when, similarly to what happens throughout the national territory, the municipality registers an increase in the number of cases of Covid-19, now appearing in the high risk counties map.
In a statement, the municipality states that it “closely follows” the evolution of the situation, either through the Office of Crisis Management Covid-19, which continues to meet four times a week, or by the Municipal Civil Protection Commission which, every Thursday, analyses and decides new measures to mitigate the impact of the disease in Loulé.
The municipality says it has promoted weekly screening of Covid-19, by sampling 11 residential structures for the elderly with less than 50 users, in a partnership with the IPSS and the Algarve Biomedical Centre (ABC). In the three Louletan institutions with more than 50 users, the screenings are carried out by the Ministry of Labour, Solidarity and Social Security, in partnership with ABC.
This Tuesday, nearly 400 tests were carried out in the municipality of Loulé on several fronts, namely at the Lar da Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Loulé, in the village of Cortelha, with the school community and in response to other identified needs.

President of AMAL says “new confinement price to pay for the irresponsibility” of families at Christmas
Portugal’s new confinement due to be announced on Wednesday is the “price to pay for the irresponsibility” of families at Christmas, said the president of the Algarve municipalities association (AMAL).
“It’s best we all prepare for a situation of general confinement. It is inevitable and will be the price to pay as a community for some people’s irresponsible behaviour,” António Pina said at the latest press conference about the state of the pandemic in the Algarve.
“It is up to each one of us to be responsible,” he said, adding that there’s “no point in asking the police, the government or anyone else to control the conscience and individual responsibility of each citizen”.
Meantime, regional health delegate Ana Cristina Guerreiro confirmed that most of the new Covid-19 cases have been linked to family gatherings during the festive period.
Said Guerreiro, the aim now is to keep the infected isolated and under surveillance, and to identify those with whom they have come into contact.
According to the health delegate, the virus has spread widely across the region, with only the smaller boroughs being spared thus far.

Portimão activates field hospital
The City Council of Portimão informs that, due to the worsening of the pandemic situation originated by Covid-19, this Sunday, January 10th, the field hospital installed since last April at the Portimão Arena was activated by the Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Algarve (CHUA). that has been on standby throughout this period.
The Portimão Campaign Hospital integrates, since the end of last year, phase 4 of the contingency plan established by CHUA, which is triggered when the reference hospital runs out of its inpatient capacity, requiring the use of external infrastructures.
The unit has 100 beds, 22 of which are articulated, together having three wards with single rooms (30 beds) and eight with multiple rooms (64 beds), in addition to a critically ill unit (six beds). It also has areas of clinical decision, medical support and sectorial meetings, as well as spaces for psychosocial support and provisioning, among other assets, not forgetting the areas of support and effort management of professionals who, from today on, are permanently, 24 hours a day, in this structure of response and reinforcement to the national health service (SNS).
This field hospital is duly equipped with medical equipment for monitoring, diagnosing and treating critically ill patients, representing an investment of 200 thousand euros by the City Council of Portimão.
Its benefits are not limited to the treatment of Covid-19, as it will also allow the Municipal Civil Protection to respond to other serious accident or catastrophe situations, such as earthquakes, tsunamis, large fires or other scenarios that cause a high number of victims.

Algarve Situation Report – Saturday 9th January 2021
Covid.19: Mayor of Olhão updates data that place the municipality at “very high risk“
Although the municipality has officially entered high risk – following the review of the Council of Ministers announced yesterday, the fact is that on the same day, the Mayor of Olhão, warned that the situation is higher.
In a Facebook post, the mayor explains that the high-risk statement refers to Wednesday’s figures, “where the Olhão index was 436.9, below the 480 index (number of new cases per 100 thousand inhabitants)”. However, according to António Pina, that index was exceeded yesterday, as a result of the 41 new cases registered” rising to the 513.5 index “, corresponding to the very high level of risk.
With 221 active cases, the mayor speaks of a situation that leads to the progressive worsening of restrictions, “due to the lack of common sense of some, in the exercise of the freedoms allowed until now”.
The official even says that “common sense is not inspected, nor decreed, in a free and democratic state”, criticising the “continuous indifference of a minority, to the calls and awareness, for a more responsible attitude and the fulfilment of measures for individual and collective”, he concludes.

Covid: 19: New restrictions lead to the cancellation of the 51st edition of the Grand Prix of the Kings
The municipality of Faro informs in a statement that, in light of the new restrictions announced this Thursday by the Council of Ministers, the organisation decided to cancel the 51st edition of the Grand Prix of the Kings, which was to take place on Saturday, January 9th, on the athletics track in Faro.
Due to the restrictions imposed by the pandemic, the organisation had prepared a special edition of this emblematic event of national athletics, entirely on track, limited to athletes affiliated with the Athletics Association of the Algarve instead of the traditional model that usually brings together federated and social athletes from all ages in the downtown streets.
However, in view of the measures announced yesterday by the Government that impose restrictions on movement between municipalities and starting at 1 pm during the weekend in most municipalities in the region, the organising entities (Municipality of Faro and Associação de Atletismo do Algarve, with support from Fagar) understood that the conditions were not met for the event, “even in a more restrained than usual format and with a Contingency Plan for the Algarve Athletics Association approved previously by the health authorities”, read in the same document.

Tavira
Tavira City Council has already asked the competent authorities to extend the classes on a non-face-to-face basis for another week
As a result of this review, the municipality of Tavira is at “extremely high” risk, in view of the number of new cases registered in the last few days, with 417 patients in isolation and an accumulated, [until yesterday] of 471 positive in the last 14 days per 100,000 inhabitants.
In view of this delicate scenario, the Tavira City Council has already asked the competent authorities to extend the classes on a non-face-to-face basis for another week. The measure that took effect last Monday, was enacted by the Regional Health Authority.
In the update of the county’s epidemiological situation this Thursday, 44 more cases were confirmed and the death of a male Tavira, aged 81, who was diagnosed with Covid-19.
 

Algarve Situation Report – Wednesday 6th January 2021
CHUA is receiving patients from Lisbon and Alentejo
Given the disrupted situation in many hospital units, the Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Algarve (CHUA) is receiving Covid patients from other areas of the country.
In a statement issued CHUA states that, at this stage, it has a reserve of “significant” capacity with regard to hospitalization and the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) assigned to Covid-19.
According to the Board of Directors of CHUA, an increase in demand has been registered in the last few days, “which, thanks to the timely implementation of the contingency plan”, has allowed to receive users from hospitals in the areas of Central Lisbon and Alentejo.
Currently, CHUA is in phase 2 of the contingency plan for the response to covid-19, and the plan has the capacity to expand to phase 4. The Algarve First knows that in terms of infirmary the occupation in the CHUA round 65% and in the UCI the 53%.
On the first day of vaccination at the Faro and Portimão units, Horácio Guerreiro, CHUA’s clinical director, told our newspaper that the hospital centre has been working intensely on this pandemic issue, as it has always maintained its response capacity, “although the regional reality is relatively favourable, thanks to the cooperation of the population, local authorities and public health authorities that have allowed the infection to be controlled. As for the hospital, I can say that we have a very large reserve for the assistance of Covid cases, without prejudice to other needs”.
The clinically responsible person ensured that CHUA has the capacity to respond to any need arises, “except if it is an absolutely uncontrolled and catastrophic situation, but I can say that we are very far from exhausting our capabilities”, he assured.

Vilamoura International College Christmas Campaign raised a ton and a half of food
The Christmas Campaign of the International College of Vilamoura (CIV) managed to collect a ton and a half of food.
In addition to food, distributed by the Quarteira Social Refectory, Existir Association and Algarve Network for Families in Need, the community also collected clothes, shoes for children, women and men, books and toys, which were donated to the Quarteira Social Refectory, an institution which serves 160 cooked meals daily and provides hygiene services to individual people (baths, clothes and shoes) with social and financial problems.
This institution also supports 60 families each month with a basket of basic foods, similar to the Existir Association, which provides support to 20 families in the municipality of Loulé (in the areas of food, clothing, public baths and furniture) and who, with food received, according to its director Paulo Graça, allowed “to reinforce support to his community in a crisis and pandemic situation”.
Gunilla Zandin, a volunteer at Algarve Families in Need, reinforced the importance of this social support, distributed mainly by families in the municipalities of Loulé and Faro, but also by family nuclei in Albufeira, Carvoeiro, Lagoa and Lagos. In total, 200 families are supported.
Through the sale of raffles, whose draw will take place next Wednesday, January 6th, the CIV community maintained its support for the Big Hand Project, through which it sponsors five Mozambican children.

Mayor of Tavira suspends 2^nd and 3^rd cycle classes over concerns regarding increases in municipality
The increase in cases of Covid-19 in Tavira led the Regional Health Authority to suspend the 2nd and 3rd cycle classes and secondary education in the municipality, the Mayor of the city, Ana Paula Martins, confirmed to Lusa.
Speaking to Lusa, the mayor said she was “very concerned” about the “sudden” increase in cases registered in the municipality in the last week, which led the authorities to determine the suspension of classroom classes for the 2nd and 3rd cycles and secondary education of all school groups in the municipality.
In the statement in which it informed the municipality about the suspension of classes in these teaching cycles, which applies for a period of seven days starting today, the Algarve Regional Health Authority justified the measure with “the existence of 262 confirmed active cases of Covid-19, with a 14-day incidence rate greater than 960 cases / 100,000 inhabitants”.
This number of contagions leaves Tavira among the “extremely high risk” counties and the situation will be reassessed on January 10, added that official in the statement released by the municipality of Tavira on social networks.
“What I can say is that I see this increase with great concern, mainly because we are witnessing a virus – at least in comparison with what had happened here in the municipality – much more contagious, with a greater degree of contagion, and then also, this growth ”, said Ana Paula Martins to Lusa.

Algarve Situation Report – Saturday 2nd January 2021
Covid-19 Data from ARS Algarve
These are the statistics as at 23:59 hrs 31^st December
New cases last 24 hrs – 197
Confirmed to date – 7695
Hospitalised – 54 – In ICU 11 (7 ventilated)
At home: 1372
Recovered last 24 hrs -76
Recovered to date: 6245 (81.1%)
Deaths to date – 78
No under Contact active surveillance – 2372
More details by council area

Portimão registers the highest number of daily cases in the last 14 days
The highest daily value of the last 14 days, was recorded on the last day of 2020.
According to the municipality on its Facebook page, 19 new cases were registered on Thursday, 7 of which occurred in the same household.
The bulletin of the local health authority also confirms 101 active cases and 6 recovered. At the moment, the municipality is at a moderate risk level, with 11 cases of re-entering the level of high risk of contagion.
The municipality calls for compliance with the restrictions set until the 4th of January, namely the circulation on the public road after 13:00 (until the 3rd).

The news on this last day of the year is not encouraging for the municipality of Lagos.
According to DGS data, 24 cases in Lagos were confirmed yesterday, bringing the cumulative total of the last 14 days to 91 cases, with the municipality having “high risk” values.
On the Facebook page, the municipality warns that the situation is “urgent”, because if the growth trend continues, “it is possible that we may even enter very high risk levels”, in the next reassessment by the Council of Ministers, he stresses.
The municipality speaks of a situation that can bring “very serious consequences”, not only in terms of public health, but also for the lives of families and the local economy, appealing both to residents and visitors, who adopt it especially during this New Year period though preventive behaviour to avoid the increase of new cases.
At the moment the municipality has 92 active cases and 7 more recovered.