Archives: Situation Reports

Situation Report Azores 31st May – 1^st June 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
From today, June 1st, the free ‘Azores Help-line’ for ‘non-medical’ enquiries about “Covid-19”, 800 29 29 29 will only operate from 08.30 am to 6.30 pm, Monday to Friday, inclusive.
As people have learnt more about the virus and its impact, the average number of calls has dropped to just 127-a-day day.
Previously, the line operated daily from 08.00 am to 18.00 pm throughout the whole week and 15 thousand calls have been handled in the region since its creation at the start of the “Coronavirus” crisis.
Also, a total of 146 cases of infection have been detected since the ‘outbreak’ began, back on March the 15^th. There have been 128 recoveries and 16 deaths, leaving just 2 ‘active’ cases, both on the island of São Miguel.
‘Azores Help-line’ for ‘Non-Medical’ questions about “COVID-19” is ‘Re-scheduled’

Situation Report, Azores, 30 to 31 May – From our colleague in the Azores.
All companies involved in the tourism sector in the region can, from Saturday 30^th May, register for the ‘Azores’ version of the “Clean & Safe Azores” ‘approved’ seal, based on the “Covid-19” ‘Manual of Good Practices’. People, interested in joining the initiative, have to submit a completed form, available at:
https://clean-safe.azores.gov.pt/adesao.aspx
Later, they will then be contacted via email with detailed information concerning their registration. The company designates a representative to participate in the training who´s then responsible for teaching other employees in the firm.
A total of 146 cases of infection have been detected in the region since March 15^th. There, have been 128 recoveries and 16 deaths, leaving just 2 ‘active’ cases, both on the island of São Miguel.

Situation Report Azores 29^th May – 30^th May 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
The Regional Secretary for “Energy, Environment and Tourism” believes that ‘post’ the “Coronavirus” crisis, providing a ‘safe’, healthy environment for tourists will be absolutely critical in building ‘confidence’ in the Azores as a tourist destination of ‘choice’.
Marta Guerreiro was speaking at a web conference, “Azores, preparing for the future”, promoted by the newspaper “Publituris” and involving various tourist organisations including the “Azores Tourism Association”, the “Sata” airline group alongside hotel & tour operators.
The Regional Secretary stressed that business owners should be well-prepared for the resumption of tourism, making good use of the newly-produced “Covid-19” ‘Manual of Good Practices’ with a view to being awarded a ‘Clean & Safe Azores’ seal of approval.
In summary, a total of 146 cases of infection have been detected in the region since March 15^th. There, have been 128 recoveries and 16 deaths, leaving just 2 ‘active’ cases, both on the island of São Miguel. Since the ‘outbreak’ began, more women (100 or 68.49%) have been affected than men (46, namely 31.51%).
Priority of the Government of the Azores is to receive tourists safely, says Marta Guerreiro

Situation Report, Azores, 28th May to 29th May – From our colleague in the Azores
Some ‘fresh’ changes to the rules, concerning ‘arrivals’ in the region from outside, that were announced by the Regional President two days ago, ‘came into force’, today.
Up until today, ‘arriving’ passengers could choose one of four options if they wanted to enter the ‘Archipelago’.
One of those, to agree to a ‘14-day quarantine’ in a ‘designated and supervised’ hotel on a voluntary basis at the cost of the regional government, is now ‘off’ the table so the remaining options are:
1) ‘Paper-based’ proof, issued by an accredited laboratory that attests to a ‘negative’ result in the 72 hours prior to flight departure from their airport of origin. Depending on the length of stay, the passenger will have to have further tests on the 5th and 13th days after their initial test. They must contact the local health authority to carry out a new screening test, the result of which will be given within 24 hours.
2) Be ‘tested’ on arrival in the region by the local health authority and remain in isolation in a hotel until the test result is made available, within 48 hours. Again, depending on the length of stay, the passenger will have to have further tests on the 5th and 13th days after their initial test.
3) Return to the destination of origin or any other destination outside the region.
SATA inter-island flights have also been re-started, today as well as ‘maritime’ connections within the central group of islands.
Restaurants and bars on São Miguel are re-opening, too, today.
Meanwhile there have been four more recoveries in the region in the last 24 hours; a 3-year-old child on Pico and 2 men, aged 27 and 35, plus an 88-year-old woman on São Miguel.
With these ‘recovery’ cases, the island of Pico becomes the eighth island in the ‘Archipelago’ without any ‘active’ cases.
As of today, only 2 people, both on the island of São Miguel, are still testing ‘positive’. So, it looks like the Azores could soon be “Covid-19” ‘virus-free’, for a little while, at least!
In summary, there have been 146 ‘positive’ cases with 128 recoveries and 16 deaths since the ‘outbreak’ began. None of the remaining 2 cases are ‘hospitalised’:

• 2 on São Miguel
• 0 on Corvo, Faial, Flores, Graciosa, Pico, Santa Maria, São Jorge & Terceira

Situation Report, Azores, 27^th May to 28th May – From our colleague in the Azores
The regional government has come up with a plan, concerning ‘Alojamento Local’, that it thinks will help both the owners as well as families who are looking for properties to ‘rent’. This relatively ‘new’ and growing tourism sector has been ‘badly-hit’ this year because tourists who’d normally be staying in them, haven’t been able to visit the ‘Archipelago’ as a result of the “Coronavirus” crisis with related ‘flight cancellations’ and ‘quarantines’. The idea is that the government will lease the properties directly from the owners and then ‘sub-let’ them to the ‘families-in-need’. The cost will depend on location, size, and decorative order but prospective tenants are being promised a big ‘discount’ on the previous, normal rates. A ‘selection’ process will take place and successful applicants will be expected to sign a ‘contract’ for a minimum of either 2 or 3 years, still to be decided.
Meanwhile, the Regional Health Authority has reported ‘no change’ to the covid-19 situation in the Azores.
So, in summary, there have been 146 ‘positive’ cases with 124 recoveries and 16 deaths since the outbreak began. None of the remaining 6 cases are ‘hospitalised’:

• 5 on São Miguel
• 1 on Pico
• 0 on Corvo, Faial, Flores, Graciosa, Santa Maria, São Jorge & Terceira

Situation Report, Azores, 26^th May to 27th May – From our colleague in the Azores
With just over a handful of ‘positive’ “Covid-19” cases left on 2 islands in the region, Pico and São Miguel, the President of the Government of the Azores, Vasco Cordeiro, says that “trust and security” are the ‘keywords’ for the resumption of tourism in the region. This was echoed by representatives from a wide range of tourist organisations with whom he’d met alongside the Regional department for “Energy, Environment and Tourism”. However, the local representative of the “Hotel Association of Portugal” (AHP) Fernando Neves expressed concern about the expected ‘lack of business’ this year and said that the government will need to continue supporting the industry, financially, during these difficult and uncertain times.
Meanwhile, the Regional Health Authority has reported two ‘fresh’ recoveries in the 24 hours up until 16.00 hrs. on Tuesday 26/05/2020. Both of them, a 23-year-old man and a 37-year-old woman, were workers at the “Covid-19” ‘troubled’ “Santa Casa da Misericórdia” residential care home for the elderly in Nordeste from where, sadly, 12 people have died.
In summary, there have been 146 ‘positive’ cases with 124 recoveries and 16 deaths. None of the remaining 6 cases are ‘hospitalised’:

• 5 on São Miguel
• 1 on Pico
• 0 on Corvo, Faial, Flores, Graciosa, Santa Maria, São Jorge & Terceira

SATA will start inter-island connections on Friday 29th May, the ferries in the central and occidental group will also start on the same day. Later on in June, Azores Airlines will start linking the continent and the Azores.

Situation Report, Azores, 25^th May to 26th May – From our colleague in the Azores
The President of the Regional Government, Vasco Cordeiro has announced that air connections between the islands of the ‘Archipelago’ will resume later this week. Until now, there have been tight restrictions with ‘special authorisation’ required for ‘travel’ but that won’t be required from this Friday.
Connections to the continent and beyond by SATA “Azores Airlines” will probably start in late June after consultations between several government departments including ‘Health’ and ‘Tourism’.
A new ‘positive’ case arriving in the region wouldn’t necessarily lead to a policy ‘U-turn’, said the president. He continued that having the ability to identify a chain of contagion; isolating anyone who’s ‘infected’ with effective ‘contact tracing’ and ‘testing’ would, in the end, ‘keep the situation under control’.
Meanwhile, there’s been another small fall in the number of people, suffering from “Covid-19” virus infection in the ‘Archipelago’. The Regional Health Authority has reported another recovery in the 24 hours up until 16.00 hrs. On Monday 25/05/2020, a woman aged 43 on São Miguel. This leaves just 8 ‘positive’ cases throughout the entire region.
In total, 20.000 tests have been carried out for “Covid-19” since the start of the outbreak. This represents 8% of the population although of course, some people, suspected of having the disease, will have been tested more than once.
So far, there have been 146 ‘positive’ cases with 122 recoveries and 16 deaths. None of the remaining 8 cases, on just 2 islands, are hospitalised:

• 7 on São Miguel
• 1 on Pico
• 0 on Corvo, Faial, Flores, Graciosa, Santa Maria, São Jorge & Terceira

Situation Report, Azores, 24^th May to 25th May – From our colleague in the Azores
There’s been a dramatic fall in the number of ‘active’ cases of people, suffering from “Covid-19” virus infection in the ‘Archipelago’. The Regional Health Authority has reported a reduction of nearly 45% in the 24 hours, up until 16.00 hrs on Saturday 24/05/2020, leaving just 9 ‘positive’ cases throughout the entire region.
This comes after seven more recoveries, a man and six women, all on the island of São Miguel. It includes 3 users, aged between 95 and 97 years old, from the ‘virus-troubled’ “Santa Casa da Misericórdia” residential care home in Nordeste. 875 new tests didn’t reveal any fresh cases of the virus.
So far, there have been 146 cases of infection since the start of the ‘outbreak’ with 121 recoveries and 16 deaths. None of the remaining 9 cases are hospitalised and all but 1 are on São Miguel, leaving seven of the nine islands completely ‘virus-free’:
8 on São Miguel
1 on Pico
0 on Corvo, Faial, Flores, Graciosa, Santa Maria, São Jorge & Terceira
Regional elections
The President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, said today that he will mark the date of the regional elections in the Azores, which should take place in October, due to the evolution of the covid-29 pandemic “in June and July”.
“I did not want to anticipate, because I will receive the parties next month, in June, in the transition from June to July, to hear them about the call for elections to the Regional Legislative Assembly of the Azores,” he said.
Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa spoke to journalists at the end of a visit to the premises of Banco Alimentar Contra da Fome, in Lisbon, where he made a contribution via the ‘internet’. Due to the pandemic, this campaign did not follow the usual patterns, in which volunteers collected donations from commercial areas.
“We are now going to monitor the health situation and, depending on what happens in June and July, this will be the call,” said the head of state.

Situation Report, Azores, 23 to 24 May – From our colleague in the Azores.
Last week there was a big ‘constitutional’ row between the ‘Judiciary’ and the Regional Government of the Azores about people, arriving from outside the region, having to stay 14 days in ‘quarantine’ in an approved, monitored hotel. Well, it’s now been announced that this week, most ‘arriving’ passengers opted to do just that when given the choice of four different options including tests! It follows a case of ‘Habeas Corpus’ when someone who didn’t want to be in that hotel ‘quarantine’, successfully got a court ruling that he could leave and ‘self-quarantine’ elsewhere. That went against the government’s health department which had argued that such hotel ‘quarantine’ was a good way to stop “Covid-19” coming into the region from outside.
Meanwhile, the Regional Health Authority reports that 808 “Covid-19” tests were carried out in the 24 hours, up until 16.00 hrs. on Saturday 23/05/2020, revealing no new ‘positive’ cases of the virus. There has however been one more recovery, a 21-year-old woman from Graciosa, making it the 7^th island in the ‘Archipelago’ to be “Covid-19”, ‘virus-free’.
So far, there have been 146 cases of infection since the start of the ‘outbreak’ with 114 recoveries and 16 deaths, leaving just 16 ‘active’ cases:

• 15 on São Miguel
• 1 on Pico
• 0 on Corvo, Faial, Flores, Graciosa, Santa Maria, São Jorge & Terceira

Situation Report, Azores, 22nd May to 23rd May – From our colleague in the Azores
A new campaign, called “Seguramente Açoriano”, has been launched by the regional government. https://youtu.be/owtrB70BRPc
It’s designed to encourage people to use more ‘Azorean’ services and products, helping both employment and the economy. Choosing to support local businesses by consuming regional products and enjoying the flavours of the archipelago’s food and drinks industry, will help to revive some of the sectors that have been damaged by the “Covid-19” pandemic.
Meanwhile, the Regional Health Authority reports that 943 “Covid-19” tests were carried out in the 24 hours, up until 16.00 hrs, on Friday 22/05/2020, revealing no new ‘positive’ cases of the virus.
So, in summary, since the start of the outbreak there have been 146 confirmed cases; 113 have recovered and 16 have died, leaving just the 17 ‘active’ infections:

• 15 on São Miguel
• 1 on Graciosa
• 1 on Pico
• 0 on Corvo, Faial, Flores, Santa Maria, São Jorge & Terceira

Situation Report, Azores, 21st May to 22nd May – From our colleague in the Azores
From today, 22^nd May, commercial activities on the island of São Miguel are starting again; this is the last island in the ‘Archipelago’ to open ‘commercial’ activity since the ‘shut-down’ began. However, businesses are required to the follow new, stricter rules about the number of customers being allowed in their spaces, hand sanitizer gel being ‘available’ and masks being worn inside ‘closed’ spaces. The restaurant and bar sector will not open for another week, the 29^th May.
The Regional Health Authority reports that 670 “Covid-19” tests were carried out in the 24 hours, up until 16.00 hrs on Thursday 21/05/2020, revealing no new ‘positive’ cases of the virus. There have, however, been three more recoveries in the region; a woman, aged 64 and a man, aged 71 on Pico plus another 90-year-old woman from the “Santa Casa da Misericórdia” residential care home in Nordeste on São Miguel.
So, in summary, since the start of the outbreak there have been 146 confirmed cases; 113 have recovered and 16 have died, leaving just the 17 ‘active’ infections:

• 15 on São Miguel
• 1 on Graciosa
• 1 on Pico
• 0 on Corvo, Faial, Flores, Santa Maria, São Jorge & Terceira

AZORES
Situation Report, Azores, 20th May to 21st May – From our colleague in the Azores
The Regional Health Authority reports that 513 “Covid-19” tests were carried out in the 24 hours, up until 16.00 hrs on Wednesday 20/05/2020, revealing no new ‘positive’ cases of the virus. Also, there were no fresh recoveries or deaths in the ‘Archipelago’ within that period. Currently, six of the nine islands are ‘virus-free’ and the Azorean Health Authority recommends that people should try and avoid travelling to or from the region, complying with new regulations that are in place if they do to avoid triggering any new, possible transmissions.
In summary, since the start of the outbreak there have been 146 confirmed cases; 110 have recovered and 16 have died, leaving just the 20 ‘active’ infections:

• 16 on São Miguel
• 3 on Pico
• 1 on Graciosa
• 0 on Corvo, Faial, Flores, Santa Maria, São Jorge & Terceira

Situation Report, Azores, 19th May to 20th May – From our colleague in the Azores
Azoreans Filipa Lima and Vítor Sousa have created a free way to help restaurant, bar and hotel customers and waiters stay “Covid-19” ‘virus-free’ when a ‘new’ normal arrives in the hospitality industry. It’s called “PacMenu” and it’s very easy to use. Businesses go to www.pacmenu.pt, add their menu image and it gets converted into QR code and stored on the website https://imgur.com/.
Simply, customers then use their mobile phone camera or a “QR code” reader ‘App’ to show the menus on their own smart-phone. It’ll be safer for them as well as the ‘waiting’ staff because no-one needs to touch ‘previously-handled’ menus and it should save businesses some money, too because they won’t have to print so many of them for their customers! https://youtu.be/oN4xk6o8qaY
Meanwhile, during the 24 hours up until 16.00 hrs Tuesday 19^th May and after 529 new tests were carried out, there were no new ‘positive’ case and no more deaths. There was an unexpected ‘positive’ case yesterday on the island of São Miguel, someone who had been ‘routinely’ tested, in preparation for the planned re-opening of schools, this test proved to be a ‘false positive’ and the woman in question will be tested again in 48 hours.
Meanwhile, there has been two more recoveries from “Covid-19” two men aged 38 and 43 years old, living on the island of Faial. Faial is now the 6^th island to be clear of infection.
So, in summary, since the start of the outbreak there have been 145 confirmed cases in the ‘Archipelago’; 110 have recovered and 16 have died, leaving just the 20 ‘active’ infections:

• 16 on São Miguel
• 3 on Pico
• 1 on Graciosa
• 0 on Faial, Corvo, Flores, Santa Maria, São Jorge & Terceira

Situation Report, Azores, 18th May to 19th May – From our colleague in the Azores
During the 24 hours up until 16.00 hrs Monday 18/05/2020 and after 856 new tests were carried out, there was one new ‘positive’ case but no more deaths. The unexpected ‘positive’ is a 40-year-old woman on the island of São Miguel who had been ‘routinely’ tested, in preparation for the planned re-opening of schools. The health authority is investigating this ‘surprise’ new case, coming after 7 days, without any fresh ones.
Meanwhile, there has been one more recovery from “Covid-19”; a woman aged 57 years old from São Miguel.
So, in summary, since the start of the outbreak there have been 146 confirmed cases in the ‘Archipelago’; 108 have recovered and 16 have died, leaving just the 22 ‘active’ infections:

• 16 on São Miguel
• 3 on Pico
• 2 on Faial
• 1 on Graciosa
• 0 on Corvo, Flores, Santa Maria, São Jorge & Terceira

Situation Report, Azores, 17th May to 18th May – From our colleague in the Azores
New Coronavirus rules for arriving passengers
These are the new “Coronavirus” crisis ‘rules’ for passengers, arriving in the Azores from outside the region; now, they can choose to do one the following:
1) Provide ‘paper-based’ proof, issued by an accredited laboratory that attests to a ‘negative’ result in the 72 hours prior to flight departure from their airport of origin. Depending on the length of stay, the passenger will then have to have further tests on the 5th and 13th days after their initial test. They must contact the local health authority to complete the new screening tests, the result of which will be known within 24 hours.
2) Be ‘tested’ on arrival in the region by the local health authority and remain in isolation in a hotel until the test result is made available, within 48 hours. Also, in this case, depending on the length of stay, the passenger will have to have further tests on the 5th and 13th days after their initial test. They must contact the local health authority to complete the new screening tests, the result of which will be known within 24 hours.
3) Agree to a ‘14-day quarantine’ in a ‘designated and supervised’ hotel on a voluntary basis.
4) Return to their destination of origin or any other destination outside the region.
Meanwhile, there have been a couple more recoveries from “Covid-19”; two women aged 58 and 60 years old, living on the islands of Graciosa and São Jorge. It’s the first time that São Jorge has been ‘virus-free’ since the 20^th of March, more than 2 months ago! There are now 5 islands with no infections, whatsoever!
Also, during the 24 hours up until 16.00 hrs on Friday 17/05/2020 and after 668 new tests were carried out, there were no new ‘positive’ cases and no more deaths.
So, in summary, since the start of the outbreak there have been 145 confirmed cases in the ‘Archipelago’; 107 have recovered and 16 have died, leaving just the 22 ‘active’ infections:

• 16 on São Miguel
• 3 on Pico
• 2 on Faial
• 1 on Graciosa
• 0 on Corvo, Flores, Santa Maria, São Jorge & Terceira

Situation Report, Azores, 16th May to 17th May – From our colleague in the Azores
A court in Ponta Delgada has granted a request for the immediate release of a person who’d been ordered to spend time in ‘quarantine’ in an Azorean hotel.
Since March 26th, all passengers arriving in the ‘Archipelago’ have been obliged to stay 14 days in ‘confinement’ in a hotel as a ‘restrictive’ measure to try and stop the spread of the “Covid-19” pandemic. Unlike residents, since May the 8th, non-residents have had to pay for that.
Portugal is no longer in an official ‘State of Emergency’ but currently, this legal decision only applies to this one specific case.
The health authority is now testing all the travellers from outside the region who’ve been ‘quarantined’ at several designated hotels, in case this latest legal judgement leads to them all, having the ‘right to leave’ the properties.
There has been one more recovery from the virus, a 75-year-old man who was a user of the care home in Nordeste from where there have been 12 virus-related deaths in the last few weeks. Also, during the 24 hours up until 16.00 hrs. on Friday 16/05/2020 and after 742 new tests were carried out, there were no new ‘positive’ cases and no more deaths.
So, in summary, since the start of the outbreak there have been 145 confirmed cases in the ‘Archipelago’; 105 have recovered and 16 have died, leaving just the 24 ‘active’ infections:

• 16 on São Miguel
• 3 on Pico
• 2 on Faial
• 2 on Graciosa
• 1 on São Jorge
• 0 on Corvo, Flores, Santa Maria & Terceira

In a separate report Lusa news agency reported the following
Options to be given to arriving passengers
The President of the Government of the Azores announced today that passengers arriving in the region will be able to choose to carry out a test on departure, or on arrival in the Azores, comply with a voluntary quarantine period or return to the origin.
“Four options are given to passengers who, as of today, arrive in the Azores: travel already with a negative test done before departure; undergo a test upon arrival in the region and wait for the result; or comply with a voluntary quarantine period of 14 days in a specific hotel, with the costs borne by the Region; or return to their original destination”, declared Vasco Cordeiro.
The measures take effect at 00:00 on Sunday.
The President of the Government spoke at a press conference in Ponta Delgada, following the decision of the Ponta Delgada Court, which granted today a request for immediate release (‘habeas corpus’) made by a plaintiff against the imposition of quarantine in hotels by part of the Government of the Azores.
The measures were taken following today’s meeting of the Government Council, which, under the Legal Regime of the Civil Protection System of the Autonomous Region of the Azores, decreed the situation of public calamity on the islands of São Miguel and Terceira, islands with connections with the outside world, in the context of combating the covid-19 pandemic.
Vasco Cordeiro stated that “if a passenger refuses any of these options, violates voluntary quarantine or prophylactic isolation, mandatory quarantine in a hotel will be determined, assuming, in this case, all the respective financial costs by a decision of his own”.

Situation Report, Azores, 15th May to 16th May – From our colleague in the Azores
The number of people, still testing ‘positive’ for the “Covid-19” has had yet another big fall in the Azores as 9 more people, all on São Miguel, have recovered from the virus!
6 of the 8 women and 1 man, aged between 27 and 9 were either users, a close contact or workers at the residential care home for the elderly “Santa Casa da Misericórdia” in Nordeste from where, sadly, 12 people have died.
Also, during the 24 hours up until 16.00 hrs. on Friday 15/05/2020, there were no new ‘positive’ cases and no more deaths.
In summary, since the start of the outbreak there have been 145 confirmed cases in the ‘Archipelago’; 104 have recovered and 16 have died, leaving just the 25 ‘active’ infections, the lowest number since March 27^th and just a ‘tad’ better than Madeira with just 31 ‘positive’ cases as announced by the regional health authority there, on the 15^th of May.

• 17 on São Miguel
• 3 on Pico
• 2 on Faial
• 2 on Graciosa
• 1 on São Jorge
• 0 on Corvo, Flores, Santa Maria & Terceira

Situation Report, Azores, 14th May to 15th May – From our colleague in the Azores
Regional Health Authority
The Regional Health Authority reports that the 547 analyzes carried out in the two reference laboratories in the Region in the last 24 hours did not reveal new positive cases of COVID-19.
There were four recoveries of SARS-CoV-2 infection, which correspond to three female individuals, between 18 and 62 years of age, one of whom was an employee of the Residential Structure for the Elderly of Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Nordeste, and one individual male, 66 years old, all resident on the island of São Miguel.
Pandemic prevention and containment measures should be maintained and strengthened, whenever possible, by citizens and public, private and social sector organizations.
Some great news, 4 more people on São Miguel, infected with the ‘Covid-19’ virus, have recovered. This takes the number of recoveries to nearly one hundred people or around two-thirds of the total number who’ve tested ‘positive’ since the “Coronavirus” crisis began! They’re 3 women and a man, aged between 18 and 66, one of whom worked at the residential care home for the elderly “Santa Casa da Misericórdia” in Nordeste from where, sadly, 12 people have died.
So, in summary, since the start of the outbreak there have been 145 confirmed cases in the ‘Archipelago’; 95 have recovered and 16 have died, leaving just the 34 ‘active’ infections (thankfully, the lowest number for nearly seven weeks, namely the 28th of March):

• 26 on São Miguel
• 3 on Pico
• 2 on Faial
• 2 on Graciosa
• 1 on São Jorge
• 0 on Corvo, Flores, Santa Maria & Terceira

Azores is preparing a support regime for the temporary cessation of fishing activity in the Region.
The Regional Secretary for Sea, Science and Technology announced that the Government of the Azores is preparing a support regime for the temporary cessation of fishing activity in the Region.
Gui Menezes pointed out that this measure, “which is being worked on in conjunction with the Fisheries Federation and the Azores Fish Merchants Association, provides for financial support for optional temporary stops, for a maximum period of 15 days”.
At stake is the lower demand for fish in the markets due to the situation caused by the pandemic of COVID-19 and the consequent drop in income.
This measure “can contribute to regulate the quantity of fish unloaded at auction, facilitating its disposal and avoiding a decrease in the income of fishermen”, defended Gui Menezes.
The Regional Secretary said that the supply of the market “will always be ensured, as only up to 50% of the fleet of each of the arms ports in the Region will be stopped simultaneously”.

Situation Report, Azores, 13th May to 14th May – From our colleague in the Azores
The president of Ponta Delgada’s ‘Chamber of Commerce and Industry’ Mário Fortuna reckons that the cancellation of the festival of “Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres” because of the “Coronavirus” crisis, means that between three and four million euros won’t now be earned on the island of São Miguel. He says that the festivities that were due to start on Friday, attract around 20 thousand visitors a year, spending millions in flights, hotels, car-hire, taxis, tours, shops, bars and restaurants among other things…..
It is the biggest religious festival in the Azores and the high point of the events is the procession of the statue of “Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres” through the streets of the city. The visitors normally come from all over the Azores, Madeira and continental Portugal, joined by thousands of emigrants, arriving from the United States of America and Canada.
Meanwhile, the ‘Covid-19’ situation has stayed unchanged during the 24 hours up until 16.00 hrs. on Wednesday 13/05/2020. There were no new ‘positive’ cases and no new recoveries, either.
So, in summary, since the start of the outbreak there have been 145 ‘positive’ cases in the region; 91 have recovered and 16 have died, leaving just the 38 ‘active’ infections:

• 30 on São Miguel
• 3 on Pico
• 2 on Faial
• 2 on Graciosa
• 1 on São Jorge
• 0 on Corvo, Flores, Santa Maria & Terceira

Situation Report, Azores, 12th May to 13th May – From our colleague in the Azores.
On April 21st, “Azores Airlines” announced that flights outside Portuguese airspace would be suspended until June 6^th but this suspension has now been extended until the 14th of the month. Therefore, connections between the Azores and the cities of Toronto (Canada), Boston (United States of America), Praia (Cape Verde) and Frankfurt (Germany) will only be resumed from that date.
“Azores Airlines” flights to and from continental Portugal and the “SATA Air Açores” ‘inter-island’ passenger operation are expected to resume from May 31^st. At the moment, the only flights, being carried out by the SATA group, are between the Azores and Lisbon, ‘shipping’ cargo or in cases of ‘force majeure’, authorized by the Regional Health Authority.
Meanwhile, Tiago Lopes reported that, as of 16.00 hours on Tuesday 12/05/2020, there have been no new cases testing ‘positive’ for “Covid-19” in the Archipelago. But, there have been two further recoveries on São Miguel, a lady, aged 45 and another 92 year-old user of the “Santa Casa da Misericórdia” care home from where, sadly, 12 people have died from the virus.
So, in summary, since the start of the outbreak there have been 145 ‘positive’ cases in the region; 91 have recovered and 16 have died, leaving just the 38 ‘active’ infections:

• 30 on São Miguel
• 3 on Pico
• 2 on Faial
• 2 on Graciosa
• 1 on São Jorge
• 0 on Corvo, Flores, Santa Maria & Terceira

Situation Report, Azores, 11th May to 12th May – From our colleague in the Azores.
“Ryanair”, historically known as a ‘low-cost’ airline, is to be paid 1.1 million euros in a deal to promote the airline’s flights between the United Kingdom and the Azores. The agreement was signed by the Regional Secretary for Energy, Environment and Tourism, “Marta Guerreirro” and “David O’Brien”, representing “Ryanair”. But, it’s still not absolutely clear how that money will be spent.
Meanwhile, sadly, there’s been one more death on São Miguel, a 92-year-old user of the “Santa Casa da Misericórdia” care home in Nordeste who’d been admitted to the “Divino Espírito Santo” hospital in Ponta Delgada. This brings the total number of deaths in the ‘Archipelago’ to 16, 12 of them linked to that home.
As of 16.00 hours on Monday 11/05/2020, there was also news of 6 more recoveries; all of them women on São Miguel, aged between 51 and 91.
So, in summary, since the start of the outbreak there have been 145 ‘positive’ cases in the region; 89 have recovered and 16 have died, leaving just the 40 ‘active’ infections:
32 on São Miguel
3 on Pico
2 on Faial
2 on Graciosa
1 on São Jorge
0 on Corvo, Flores, Santa Maria & Terceira

Situation Report Azores 10^th to 11^th May – From our colleague in the Azores.
Another new ‘positive’ of Covid-19 has been identified on São Miguel, a 35-year-old man who’d recently been abroad and who was, for ‘exceptional’ reasons, being ‘quarantined’ at home.
Tiago Lopes told a press conference that the man had arrived in the region on a flight from mainland Portugal at the end of April with two other ‘special cases’ that were excused from ‘hotel’ quarantine. He explained that such exceptions could be allowed for medical reasons when proper health treatment can’t be provided in an hotel environment.
As of 16.00 hours on Saturday 10/05/2020, there were also 5 more recoveries; 4 women aged between 35 and 91-years-old and a 93-year-old man, living on the islands of Terceira and São Miguel. Two of them were patients at the “Santa Casa da Misericórdia” care home in Nordeste from where, sadly, several old folk have died.
Some more good news, the island of Terceira has now joined Corvo, Flores & Santa Maria, being completely ‘Covid Free’!
So, in summary, since the start of the outbreak there have been 145 ‘positive’ cases in the region; 83 have recovered and 15 have died, leaving just the 47 ‘active’ infections:

• 39 on São Miguel
• 3 on Pico
• 2 on Faial
• 2 on Graciosa
• 1 on São Jorge
• 0 on Corvo, Flores, Santa Maria & Terceira

Situation Report Azores 9^th to 10^th May – From our colleague in the Azores.
The promised “Covid-19” safety kits, containing three ‘social’ masks, will start to be delivered to homes on the biggest island of São Miguel from May 16^th. So far, they’ve been distributed across the four islands of Corvo, Flores, Santa Maria and São Jorge.
Distribution on Terceira Island is expected to happen over the next few days. The production of these ‘social’ masks follows rules, set by the Director-General for Health and the Portuguese Institute of Quality among other groups.
Meanwhile, Tiago Lopes reported that, as of 16:00 hours on Saturday 09/05/2020, there have been no new cases testing ‘positive’ for “Covid-19” in the Archipelago. There have, however, been 3 more recoveries, all on São Miguel; two women, aged 50 and 77, and a 56-year-old man.
So, in summary, since the start of the outbreak there have been 144 ‘positive’ cases in the region; 78 have recovered and 15 have died, leaving just the 51 ‘active’ infections:

• 42 on São Miguel
• 3 on Pico
• 2 on Faial
• 2 on Graciosa
• 1 on São Jorge
• 1 on Terceira
• 0 on Corvo, Flores & Santa Maria