Algarve Situation Report – Wednesday 30th December 2020
Portimão says goodbye to 2020 with music at the door
On December 31st, Portimão will say goodbye to the old year and welcome 2021 without the usual cultural animation and traditional fireworks, however the municipality has prepared an alternative for pandemic times: “New Year’s Eve at Home – Music at the Door”.
In a press release, the city announced that, to mark the New Year and respecting the rules and constraints enacted by the Government, and the recommendations of the Directorate-General for Health, two large trucks will be circulating, between 3 pm and 9 pm, around Portimão, to the sound of the live concerts starring César Matoso, Filipa Sousa, Gabriel de Rose and Filipe Konx, with DJ Ari Girão and Virgul as headliners.
The same publication advances that, despite the pandemic times, Portimão will not fail to welcome the arrival of 2021.
It should be noted that, although Portimão is still classified as high risk, it is about to return to the list of municipalities at moderate risk, therefore, the municipality warns that “the contribution of citizens is fundamental, based on understanding and responsibility”.
In this sense, the trucks’ itinerary will not be disclosed, “so that everyone has the good sense to comply with the rules and stay at home, having fun at the window with the music that will pass at the door”, stressed the same source.
Covid-19: Operational Program of the Algarve released until October, 19.7 million to minimize the effects of the pandemic
The Algarve Regional Coordination and Development Commission (CCDR Algarve) published the second edition of the Covid-19 Algarve Bulletin, with the latest information on the socio-economic impact of the pandemic in the region and on public policy measures adopted with funds from European funds allocated to the Algarve Operational Program, in support of companies and institutions in the Algarve.
In a statement, the CCDR explains that the elaboration of the second edition of the bulletin coincides with a period in which Portugal is in a state of emergency, whose measures implemented by Portugal and most countries to contain the spread of the pandemic, «caused a strong contraction of the demand and supply, both domestically and globally, with significant consequences for employment and the economy”.
In recent months, following the country’s trend, the Algarve presented milder negative year-on-year rates of change than in the initial period of the pandemic, in most of the indicators followed. Despite this, the region continues, in many cases, to record falls above the national average, translating into a more marked economic and social impact in the Algarve. According to the same document issued today to the media, September and / or October showed slightly more severe breaks than in previous months.
In this context, until October 31, the Operational Program of the Algarve mobilized 19.7 million euros for the adoption of measures aimed at minimizing the effects generated by the pandemic, with 17 million from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and 2.4 million from the European Social Fund (ESF).
To date, nine notices have been launched and 214 operations have been approved in the three notices already completed, resulting in a total of 7.26 million euros of eligible investment, corresponding to 4.7 million European funds, adding up to all support provided in terms of unemployment benefits, social inclusion income food support.