Algarve Situation Report Wednesday 29^th December 2021

New Year’s Eve: Câmara de Albufeira keeps fireworks to the sound of Kiss Fm and the transmission of “Carpe Nox” on RTP1

Due to the restrictions imposed by the pandemic, the traditional New Year’s party in Albufeira, at Praia dos Pescadores, was cancelled, however, the Municipality will not fail to mark the entry in 2022.

So, on December 31, at midnight, the local authority states that it will be possible to watch a pyro-musical show, which can be seen and heard from home. The fireworks will be launched from eight points in the municipality, reaching all parishes: Albufeira (2 launch points), Oura, Galé, Guia Ferreiras, Paderne and Olhos de Água.

The soundtrack and countdown for the entry into the New year will be broadcast by local radio Kiss Fm, on frequencies 95.8 fm and 101.2 fm.

At 1:30 am, RTP1 will also broadcast the New Year’s Eve night in Albufeira 2019-2020, with the show Albufeira Carpe Nox, which brought together 120,000 people at Praia dos Pescadores, among boats, planes, lights and sound, as well as music from Amor Eletro and The Black Mamba, exhibitions by the Flying Dragons and Airborne Pyrotechnics.

“This year, the New Year festivities had to be adapted to the circumstances and we decided to offer a fireworks show in different forms, which will cover the entire municipality and allow people to watch from their homes or hotel, where they are housed”, explains the Mayor, José Carlos Rolo. “The objective is to avoid the crowds and allow everyone to participate in the festivities from the tranquility of their homes”, he adds. 

Algarve hotels with last minute cancellations due to anti-covid restrictions

Algarve hotels anticipated a strong period of demand for the New Year, but they are being subject to massive cancellations with the new restrictions that force customers to submit negative tests, even if they are vaccinated.

Hotels in the Algarve are receiving last-minute cancellations due to the entry into force of new restrictions to combat the covid-19 pandemic and the worsening epidemiological situation.

“We are witnessing last-minute cancellations following the restrictions, due to the worsening of the pandemic. We continue to have reservations, but our forecasts, which were very optimistic for this year-end, are not confirmed”, stated the president of the Association of Hotels and Tourist Resorts in the Algarve (AHETA).

According to Elidérico Viegas, the new restrictions and the worsening of the pandemic have led to “many cancellations”, especially by the Portuguese, who are the ones who are most in demand in the region at this time of year, and also to a lower demand.

“Although there is still demand, the data we have now do not allow us to confirm the forecasts we had”, said the official, expressing the hope that, throughout the week, there may be last minute reservations, in case there is a slowdown in the number of new cases.

In view of the worsening of the epidemiological situation in Portugal, due to the Ómicron variant, the Government decided to bring forward the measures foreseen for the so-called “contact contention week”, which would only take place in January, to 0:00 on December 25th.

Among the measures enacted is the obligation to present a negative test in tourist establishments and local accommodation, when previously only the presentation of a digital certificate was required. 

Silves: Traders Exempt from Paying Municipal Fees in 2022

The Municipal Assembly of Silves unanimously approved the exemption from payment of fees for occupation of public space and/or advertising for the year 2022, for holders of commercial, service and restaurant establishments, closed, with suspended or conditioned activities, due to compliance with the restrictive measures imposed by the Government, in the context of the response to the pandemic.

In a statement, the municipality of Silves clarifies that the measure results from a proposal by the municipal executive led by the President of the Municipality of Silves, Rosa Palma, who had already received the unanimous approval of the Municipality of Silves, at the meeting on 29 November.

With the approval of this measure, the Municipality of Silves gives up revenue of around 226 thousand euros.

In this way, local entrepreneurs and merchants will not pay any fees in relation to requests for occupation of public space and/or advertising, between January 1 and December 31, 2022, a measure previously decreed by the municipality for the years 2020 and 2021, by the onset of the pandemic.

In addition to these measures, the Municipality registers others in support of the community, highlighting the activation of the Social Emergency Fund; the deferral of payment of bills for water supply and sanitation, with no default interest being charged, nor the suspension of the provision of said service; the suspension of the period for collecting all fees related to the municipal advertising licensing required by advertising companies; and exemption from payment and/or reduction of rents for concessionaires and commercial tenants of municipal spaces in 2020, 2021 and 2022.

Castro Marim offered 700 Christmas hampers

This year, the Castro Marim City Council delivered around 700 Christmas baskets.

For the municipality, the initiative created a few years ago, with the aim of contributing to a “more comfortable and happier” Christmas, is of greater importance at a time when the pandemic has increased the number of vulnerable families economic.

The baskets include several essential food products, selected also with the concern of integrating themselves into a healthier diet and lifestyle.