Madeira Situation Report Wednesday 2 March 2022
By Daniel Fernandes
Brief Covid-19 update
On February 23rd, the number of Covid-19 deaths reached 200 in the Autonomous Region of Madeira.
By March 2nd, there were 85 patients in hospital (19 non-vaccinated, 3 vaccinated with one vaccine dose, 36 fully vaccinated, 37 vaccinated with a booster shot), 1 of whom in intensive care (1 vaccinated with a booster shot).
There were 4 deaths in the last 7 days. There have now been a total of 203 deaths.
https://funchalnoticias.net/2022/02/23/madeira-atinge-200-mortos-com-covid-19/
https://funchalnoticias.net/2022/03/02/85-pessoas-internadas-com-covid-19-na-ram/
Covid-19 vaccination changes
On February 26th, Pedro Ramos (Madeira’s Health and Civil Protection Secretary) honoured all professionals who have been involved in the Region’s Covid-19 vaccine rollout. He praised their “hard-work, professionalism and dedication” during the entire Covid-19 vaccination process. His speech took place at Funchal Vaccination Centre (Madeira Tecnopólo), which was the first vaccination centre to open (on February 13th, 2021) and the last to close (on February 27th, 2022).
From March 5th onwards, Covid-19 vaccination in the Region will take place in municipal health centres (Centro de Saúde). In Funchal, Covid-19 vaccination will take place during weekends at Centro de Saúde do Bom Jesus (Bom Jesus Health Centre). In the remaining municipalities, it will take place every two weeks, on Saturdays. It should be noticed that in the Municipality of Santa Cruz, it will take place at Centro de Saúde do Caniço (Caniço Health Centre).
Covid-19 vaccination must be booked by calling SRS VACINAS (Vaccination hotline) – 800 210 263. All calls are free of charge.
Psychological support for Russian and Ukrainian citizens in Madeira
The Madeira Regional Government set up a mobile phone number for the provision of psychological support for Russian and Ukrainian citizens who live in the Autonomous Region of Madeira. Its number is 969 320 140 and will be available everyday from 09h00 to 21h00.
Russian and Ukrainian tourists stranded in Madeira
Hundreds of Russian and Ukrainian tourists were stranded in Madeira at the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24th, as a result of the lack of flights and/or flight bans.
Although most tourists would like to return home, by February 26th, 80 Ukrainian tourists had already left the Region. On that day, 70 Ukrainian tourists flew to Vilnius on a Smartwings flight and the remaining tourists had flown on previous days. The tourists who flew to Vilnius were given the option of remaining temporarily in Lithuania (with local support for accommodation and food) or of traveling to the Polish border with Ukraine (Lublin), where Polish support would be available for them and for their relatives who were still trying to flee Ukraine.
About 70 Ukrainian tourists were still in the Region, 36 of whom were staying in hotels with the support of the Regional Government, while the remaining tourists were staying in their own accommodation and were in regular contact with the local authorities. The Regional Government have been in regular contact with airlines with scheduled flights from Madeira to Ukraine’s neighbouring countries and with tourism operators, in order to help them return safely to their loved ones.
By that same day, 5 Ukrainian families had already shown an interest in remaining in Madeira and had been considering applying for refugee status.
As for the 220 Russian tourists who had arrived in the Region on February 20th, TUI Russia (a tourism operator) had booked a flight to take them home on February 27th. However, the flight had to turn back shortly after taking off as a result of the ban on Russian aircraft in Italy, Germany, Ireland, Belgium and Luxembourg. Some passengers had even started the check-in process. The Russian tourists were then taken to different hotels. TUI Russia had started operating flights between Moscow and Funchal on February 20th.
On March 2nd, Miguel Albuquerque (President of the Madeira Regional Government) informed that 189 Ukrainian tourists were still in Madeira, 66 of whom had decided to stay in the Region. He has already met some of them and he appealed for local businesspeople to help them find jobs.
He also informed there are 328 Ukrainian and 413 Russian residents in the Autonomous Region of Madeira. He stressed they are fully integrated and are always welcome. He said the flights between Madeira and both countries are important for the Region and hopes they can resume as soon as possible.
On the same day, TUI announced there will be a flight on March 7th to take the Russian tourists back to Russia.
Eduardo Jesus (Madeira’s Tourism and Culture Regional Secretary), praised everyone who has been helping in this challenging process, including associations, tourism operators and the local community.
https://www.rtp.pt/madeira/politica/66-turistas-ucranianos-vao-ficar-na-regiao-video-_87770
https://eco.sapo.pt/2022/03/02/russia-vai-repatriar-turistas-em-voos-a-partir-da-madeira-e-bulgaria/
Missing Russian citizen found
A Russian citizen who had been lost her way somewhere between Seixal and Porto Moniz was found by rescuers. She was in good health. She had called 112 for help on Monday at around 20h30, after getting lost in the Seixal area.
https://www.dnoticias.pt/2022/2/28/299073-mulher-que-pediu-ajuda-ao-112-desaparecida-em-sao-vicente/
Power cut
Empresa de Electricidade da Madeira (Madeira power supplier) announced there will be power cuts due to scheduled work on the electricity supply network. These cannot be postponed and will take place in the following days and places:
FUNCHAL
March 3rd – 09h00 to 11h30
– Estrada Dr. José Joaquim Freitas (number 2 to 10)
– Estrada Comandante Camacho de Freitas (numbers 691 to 697)
– Rua Dr. José Joaquim Freitas (numbers 5, 11, 19, 21, 23, 27, 33, 35, 48 and 50)
– Caminho Novo do Galeão (numbers 5 to 10)
– Escadinhas do Galeão (numbers 2 to 9)
– Impasse Novo do Galeão (numbers 2 to 9)
March 3rd – 14h00 to 16h00
– Rua da Saúde (numbers 2E, 10, 12 and 14)
March 3rd – 15h00 to 16h00
– Rua do Curaçau (number 40)
– Caminho da Levada dos Barreiros (numbers 38 to 58)
– Caminho da Nazaré (numbers 12 to 39)
March 3rd – 23h00 to 24h00
March 4th – 00h00 to 03h00
– Rua 31 de Janeiro
March 4th – 00h00 to 03h00
– Rua da Alfândega (number 147)
– Rua dos Tanoeiros (number 34 to 60)
– Rua 5 de Outubro (numbers 4 to 28)
– Travessa dos Açourgues (number 5)
– Travessa da Praça (number 3)
– Beco do Pimenta (number 8)
– Rampa Cidrão (numbers 2, 3, 5, 10 and 14)
– Largo da Praça (numbers 2 to 10)
March 4th – 09h00 to 11h30
– Estrada Cónego Camacho de Freitas
However, power could be restored during the time frame mentioned above. So, for safety purposes, it should be assumed that there will be power at any time during this period of time.
If necessary, customers can contact the free Customer Support Service number (Serviço de Apoio ao Cliente): 800 221 187.