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Algarve Situation Report Wednesday 14th October 2020

There are 24 new cases of Covid-19 in the Algarve

The Algarve has 24 more cases of Covid-19, according to data from the epidemiological bulletin of the Directorate-General for Health (DGS) of this Tuesday, October 13th, which has just been released.

The number of cases accumulated since the beginning of the pandemic in the Algarve region is now 2025.

In Alentejo, 32 more cases are reported today, bringing a cumulative total of 1677. These figures make the Algarve today the region of Mainland Portugal with fewer cases.

Covid.19: Municipality of VRSA prolongs the use of a mask on the street

Given the epidemiological evolution of Covid-19 in the municipality of Vila Real de Santo António, and with the aim of minimizing the chances of contagion, the municipality will extend, until the end of the month, the application of a set of more restrictive isolation measures and protection of the population.

In a statement, the City Council says it seeks to develop “concrete” actions to halt the spread of the new coronavirus, seeking to keep the majority of trade and services in operation, “but in a regulated and safe manner”.

The exception is the gradual opening of municipal sports facilities, starting on October 16th, namely the municipal swimming pools, which will operate only by appointment (via phone and e-mail) and with limited capacity.

To make this possible, all sports facilities have a set of procedures and contingency plans, in order to ensure the protection and safety of visitors and employees.

According to the Municipality, the following restrictive measures will remain in force: the suspension of all cultural events held in municipal facilities, recommendation for the use of an individual protection mask in all situations of contact with other people, including on the street, warnings of the prohibition of private parties, under the terms already provided by the General Health Directorate (DGS), and reinforced inspection.

Covid.19: GNR ends illegal party that had live music

GNR ended this Saturday, an illegal party, which brought together about 50 people, at Sítio do Corotelo, municipality of São Brás de Alportel.

In a statement sent this afternoon (Tuesday), the GNR stated that it received a complaint “for the existence of a party with live music at a beverage establishment”, with the military proceeding with the inspection of the event and the demobilization of the people present, in order to comply with the standards related to the Covid-19 pandemic.

According to the same source, the owner of the establishment was identified, with an order to end the party, resulting in the drafting of an administrative order.

CCDR: José Apolinário elected for the presidency in the Algarve

Former Secretary of State for Fisheries José Apolinário was elected president of the Algarve Regional Coordination and Development Commission (CCDR) on Tuesday, with 290 votes out of 423 voters, according to official results.

According to the information made available online by the Directorate-General of Local Authorities (DGAL), 483 voters were registered and 116 white votes and 17 null votes were registered.

Although with a difference of one vote in relation to the votes and null, the election of José Apolinário had already been indicated to Lusa on Tuesday night, but the socialist sent more statements for today.

José Apolinário, 58, graduated in Law, asked to leave the Government, from the post of Secretary of State for Fisheries, to run for the presidency of CCDR / Algarve, having been the only candidate standing for election.

Algarve situation report Saturday 10th October 2020

Covid- 19 ARS statistics

The Algarve Health Authority reported yesterday 36 more cases of infection, totalling 1,923 cases and a total of 22 deaths to date.

  • No. of active cases (current) 763
  • No. of active surveillance contacts 1 532
  • No. of confirmed cases (cumulative) 1 939
  • No. of deaths (cumulative) 22
  • No. of new cases in the last 24 hours 36
  • Number of hospitalized patients 27, including 5 in ICU
  • Number of recovered cases (cumulative) 1,154 – recovered 59.52 %

Loulé Carnival Parade 2021 Cancelled

In view of the growing number of people infected by COVID-19 in the country and worldwide, as well as the important economic problems resulting from the periods of confinement, the City Council decided to cancel the traditional Carnival parade in Loulé. This decision reflects the need to protect the population at the health level, as well as safeguarding the local economy, preventing the appearance of new outbreaks that could result in more periods of confinement.

For over a hundred years now, Avenida José da Costa Mealha has hosted the grand parade of the Loulé Carnival. Known to some as the “Louletano Sambadrome” and to others as the oldest carnival parade in the country, the Loulé Carnival attracts close to 60,000 people over its three days of parade.

Its mega-production requires a hard work of more than 3 months and includes about 600 extras and 14 floats. Despite the importance of this anchor event in the municipality, its typology, its format, its invitation to socialize and share experiences between the stakeholders make the organization unable to ensure compliance with the COVID-19 prevention rules, listed by the DGS, as well as by the measures imposed by the Government of the Portuguese Republic, in what concerns above all the social distance and the prevention of gatherings inside and outside the enclosure.

This difficult decision comes in addition to so many other measures taken by the Municipality for the safety of the population and is aligned with several municipalities at national and international level that have already announced the cancellation of their carnival celebrations, due to the lack of knowledge about the evolution of Pandemic, in the beginning of 2021.

In Loulé, the date will be marked with decorative elements placed on Avenida José da Costa Mealha and elsewhere in the city, so that everyone remembers this event that will return in 2022.

President of AHETA considers Tourist season 2020 was “the worst ever” for the Algarve

Association of Hotels and Tourist Enterprises of the Algarve (AHETA) considers that the tourist season 2020, (April to October), which really counts for the results of the companies, presents the “worst tourist results ever in the Algarve”.

Between April and October, the Algarve recorded an average occupancy rate of 27.5 percent, a decrease of 65.5 percent, while turnover decreased 68.7 percent, compared to the same period last year. Thus, hotels and tourist developments in the Algarve recorded, between April and October, 10.3 million fewer nights than in 2019, with revenues falling by 635.8 million euros in the same period.

These results mainly contributed to the drop in demand from the main foreign markets, with emphasis on our largest supplier of tourists, the United Kingdom -88.9 percent, resulting in 626 thousand fewer guests and 3.8 million overnight stays. On the other hand, the most important issuing markets also showed large decreases in tourist flows to the Algarve during this tourist season, namely Germany -77.4 percent, Holland 67.3 percent, Ireland -94.7 percent and France – 73.2 percent.

Passenger traffic at Faro Airport, the main port of entry for tourists in the Algarve, decreased 82.5 percent, down 5.3 million passengers, 2.8 million of which came from the United Kingdom. Approximately 20 percent of tourist developments remained closed during the tourist season, corresponding to more than 26 thousand beds. The outlook is for 70 percent of establishments to close during the next low season (November to March).

Therefore, “it is our conviction that the recovery will be slow and very prolonged, extending over several years, to the extent that the reestablishment of confidence levels with holiday consumers is not assured and is not predictable in the times closer, including the fear of traveling that affects the world in general”, considers the direction of AHETA in a statement sent to the press.

“Today we have a more precise and clearer perception of the scale of the crisis and its impact on tourism and the economy in general, although aware that, after the pandemic, tourism will return gradually and gradually”.

EasyJet to open a new base in Faro and creates 100 jobs

The airline EasyJet will open a new base at Faro Airport in the spring of next year, creating 100 jobs. The announcement was made this Thursday, October 8th. In a statement, EasyJet explains that the future base will have “three A319 aircraft”, each with a capacity for 156 passengers.

José Lopes, executive director of EasyJet Portugal, revealed, at a press conference held at the Ministry of Economy, that recruitment starts today, but priority will be given to current airline workers who can thus request a transfer. Only then, if necessary, will an “external recruitment process” be opened.

According to José Lopes, the new base in Faro confirms, “unequivocally, EasyJet’s great commitment” to Portugal. Especially because this new investment will allow the airline to remain “attentive and take advantage of new opportunities that may arise in the market”. According to José Lopes, an agreement was concluded with “the representatives of our employees”, which will avoid “any dismissals and allow this growth”. At the moment, EasyJet, which employs about 325 people in Portugal, has 17 routes from Faro, representing 20% of passengers disembarked in the region.

Algarve – Covid-19 Situation as at Monday 5th October.

The Algarve has 1,832 cases, 25 more in the last 24 hours and 19 deaths ending 5th October. Regional weekly count (cumulative): source (DGS):

  • Albufeira has 292, (3 deaths)
  • Loulé – 260, (8 deaths)
  • Faro – 227
  • Portimão – 199, (3 deaths)
  • Lagos – 198
  • Vila Real de Stº António – 101, (2 deaths)
  • Tavira – 94
  • Silves – 83
  • Olhão – 61
  • Lagoa – 61, (2 deaths)
  • Castro Marim – 30
  • Monchique – 16
  • São Brás de Alportel – 15, (1 death)
  • Vila do Bispo – 13
  • Alcoutim – 11
  • Aljezur – 9 (1 death)
  • The information presented refers to the total of medical notifications in the SINAVE system, not including laboratory notifications. As such, it may not correspond to all cases per municipality.

Covid.19: Woman detained in Albufeira for violation of mandatory confinement

GNR yesterday detained a 43-year-old woman in Olhos de Água, Albufeira, for violating the mandatory confinement to which she was subject, in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic.

It was through a patrolling action to verify the obligation of mandatory confinement, that “the military intercepted the suspect on the public road, and was taken immediately to their residence”, says a statement from the GNR.

The woman was accused and the facts were referred to the Albufeira Judicial Court.

Algarve hotels recorded a 39.9% drop in demand in September

The Association of Hotels and Tourist Enterprises of the Algarve revealed data referring to the variations in accommodation units in the region for September.

Thus, the average occupancy rate / room was 52.5%, 39.9% below the value registered in 2019.

According to the association, the British market was the one that most contributed to the decrease (-68.2%), followed by the Irish (91.3%) and the German (-48.3%).

The national market was the only one to show an increase (+ 36%), having represented 49.5% of the total overnight stays.

Sales volume decreased by 37% compared to the same month of the previous year. In accumulated values, the bed occupancy registered an average decrease of -55.8% since January and the sales volume decreased by -51.3%.

Covid.19: Municipality of Albufeira creates telephone line to clarify educational community

The Municipality of Albufeira has created a support line for the educational community, “Lace-Covid 19”, with the support of ABC – Algarve Biomedical Centre.

As the Municipality explains in a statement, this is a measure that aims to “inform and minimize” the possibility of transmission of the new coronavirus, in addition to facilitating safe, clarified return to classes. The line is available at 707 027 070, open every day of the week from 7 am to midnight.

The telephone service counts on ABC doctors, who are available to assist in case of suspicious or positive cases, as well as in situations of doubts or behaviours to be adopted in case of alert.

The municipality notes that the creation of the line is not intended to replace the SNS24 line, “but rather to provide an integrated response” within the scope of the adaptation strategy of the municipality’s educational community in order to minimize the possibility of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus which causes the Covid-19 disease).

Algarve Situation report Saturday 3th of october

Outbreak amongst Roma Community

There are 60 positive cases in Roma communities, “dispersed throughout the region”, revealed Ana Cristina Guerreiro, regional health delegate on Thursday. At a press conference, held at the Civil Protection headquarters in the Algarve , in Loulé, the delegate said that this is, “perhaps, the situation that most concerns” the regional health authorities today.

Until yesterday, September 30, there were such 60 confirmed cases, “more concentrated in Portimão and Albufeira, but with the knowledge that the outbreaks may soon reach other municipalities”. “For us, it is difficult to separate the two situations because they are communities that live together a lot and we are even aware of other cases in other municipalities”, explained Ana Cristina Guerreiro.

Questioned by the South Information on the number of tests carried out, the delegate said that “surely more than 200 have already been carried out”, with hundreds of people in prophylactic isolation, including adults, young people and children. The origin of these outbreaks, revealed Ana Cristina Guerreiro, is related to “more than one” gathering.

Covid.19: Outbreak at Faro Hospital is related to Beja

The registered confirmed cases of health professionals at Hospital de Faro, are linked to the outbreak of the Beja unit, the President of the Regional Health Administration of the Algarve – (ARS) confirmed today to journalists.

In a press conference on the epidemiological situation in the region, Paulo Morgado said that the outbreak at the Faro hospital is related to an infected professional who works at both hospitals. Altogether there are 7 positive health professionals with 33 in confinement, however, there was no closure of services.

At the regional level, there are 14 infected professionals, belonging to the hospitals of Faro and Portimão and to a private health unit.

The ARS Algarve official explained that at this stage, the health authorities are still able to detect the origin of the outbreaks, “that way we better control their spread”. He added that next week, the Regional Public Health Laboratory of the Algarve, Dr. Laura Ayres, will increase its testing capacity, with the possibility of carrying out more than 1000 tests per day, in line with the national strategy, “only yesterday in the country , more than 25 thousand tests were carried out”, he clarified.

He also informed that the Hospital de Faro has an installed capacity of 60 beds, “if necessary, we activate the Portimão unit”. The Algarve has a total of 15 students and six school staff, which includes teachers, infected with Covid-19, revealed this Thursday, October 1, in a press conference.

Algarve has 15 students and 6 employees infected with Covid-19

According to data provided by Ana Cristina Guerreiro, there are cases “in all levels of education, from day care to secondary”. Regarding day care centres, there is one infected child in the Alameda Kindergarten (Faro), three in the Borboleta Kindergarten (Vila Real de Santo António) and three employees in the Portuguese Red Cross Kindergarten, in Moncarapacho. In Schools EB2, 3 there are infected, in D. Afonso III, in Faro (two students), in D. Martinho Castelo Branco, in Portimão (1 employee), in D. José I, in VRSA (3 students) and in EB2, 3 by Castro Marim (2 students).

Portimão Intensive Care Unit “prepared to deal with 2nd wave of Covid-19”

We are prepared to deal with this second wave of Covid-19 and are equipped for that.” The guarantee is given by the director of the Intensive Care Unit of the Portimão unit of the Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Algarve, whose Intensive Care Unit is now 20 years old.

Alexandre Baptista Photo: Reserchgate

“From a practical point of view, we are currently well equipped and clearly prepared» stresses the specialist doctor Alexandre Baptista, who heads a team of 8 doctors, 33 nurses and 12 assistants.

The Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Portimão hospital, which is exactly this Friday, October 2nd, two decades of operation, currently has 11 beds, of which eight are now occupied by as many patients. The South Information visited the UCI yesterday, to know the conditions of this service that, in recent months, has been around the world due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

In fact, aimed especially at these patients, there is another wing of the ICU almost next to it, “isolated and with completely separate circuits”, which is prepared and equipped, but closed, waiting to be needed again. At the moment, of the 16 patients in the Algarve with Covid-19 who are hospitalized, only 4 are in Intensive Care, but at the Faro hospital.

The COVID Lares (Care homes) Line starts operating this Friday, October 2nd.

To mark the moment, the Minister of Labour, Solidarity and Social Security, Ana Mendes Godinho, visited the call centre at 2 pm at Estádio do Algarve.

Through the number 700 20 70 70, care homes across the country are provided with support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In addition to clarifying doubts and providing information, the telephone line will facilitate the contact of homes with local health, civil protection and social security entities, facilitating the signalling of risk situations with the competent authorities.

The COVID Lares Line results from a partnership between Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa and the Algarve Biomedical Center, as part of the integrated program of the Ministry of Labour, Solidarity and Social Security to support care homes. This is a project to allow permanent monitoring of the institutions, monitoring and responding to their needs.

Water reserves

The water reserves in the Algarve are sufficient to ensure public supply

The water reserves in the Algarve are sufficient to ensure public supply and although the levels of the dams are low, there are no restrictions on consumption, a source from Águas do Algarve told Lusa.

The absence of rain has contributed to accentuate the drought, especially in the eastern (eastern) Algarve, however, the existing water reserves allow to give the “guarantee” that there will be no restrictions on supply, said the spokesperson of the company that manages the multi-municipal public water supply system in the Algarve.

“The data we have regarding the water needs to supply the population of the Algarve, which is in the order of 72 million cubic meters, and what the current reserves are, plus underground abstractions, allows us to guarantee that for now, there is no forecast of any type of constraint to supply, either in quantity or in quality”, assured Teresa Fernandes.

That official acknowledged, however, that “the water reserves available this year in the Algarve region are below what would be desirable for this time of year”.

Faro and GNR unite to guarantee quality of life for the elderly

The monitoring and improvement of the quality of life of the elderly in Faro will now be guaranteed by a team that will bring together technicians from the Faro Council and elements from the GNR.

The local authority of Faro and the GNR signed yesterday, October 1, the International Day of the Elderly, the protocol for the formalization of the GPSS Program in Faro – Proximity Group for the Promotion of Social Rights and Security, «with a view to monitoring and promoting the improvement of quality of life of the elderly, in particular those who are most isolated or in the most vulnerable situation”.

This is a «pioneer decentralized intervention program in Portugal», which involves the Municipality’s Elderly Support Office and the GNR Faro Territorial Command (CT) Elderly Support Team, which «intends to carry out an intervention and assistance of excellence, meeting the elderly identified by GNR, through the survey carried out within the scope of the “Senior Censuses” operation », according to the Chamber

The objective is that «all the elderly can be informed about their social rights and the promotion of safety measures, promoting differentiated service, door to door, in which each case is analyzed and monitored, with the ultimate goal of improving quality of life of the identified elderly. After an assessment of the situation of the citizen, there will be an appropriate intervention with specific responses taking into account the needs detected.“

Situation Report Algarve – Wednesday 30th of September

Covid-19: There are 3 outbreaks in nursing homes in the Algarve

The Director-General of Health revealed today that there are currently 51 active outbreaks in nursing homes, the largest number in the region of Lisbon and the Tagus Valley.

“In residential structures for the elderly there are 51 active outbreaks at this moment,” said Graça Freitas, at the press conference to update information on infection with the new coronavirus in Portugal.

According to the director-general of Health, 10 outbreaks are active in the North, two in the Center, 33 in the Lisbon and Vale do Tejo region, three in the Alentejo and three in the Algarve – Loulé (Quarteira), Olhão and Tavira.

Algarvian nurses deliver petition with 4600 signatures to the Assembly of the Republic

The SEP’s Regional Directorate of Faro says in a statement it will deliver on Wednesday 30th September at 10 am to the Assembly of the Republic, a petition with more than 4600 signatures, demanding that the Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Algarve – CHUA and the Regional Health Administration of the Algarve – ARS, “comply with the commitments they have assumed”, in the sense that 500 nurses with 10 and 20 years of work, earn the same as a newly graduated nurse, because they are not counted with the length of service.

Union members make it known that CHUA does not progress nurses with Individual Employment Contract and ARS Algarve does not progress those who had a salary adjustment for the first remuneration position of the new career. But both institutions, according to the SEP, signed these commitments in 2019.

The same communiqué from the Portuguese Nurses Union advances that this non-compliance determined a clarification campaign with the population and political leaders, as well as the collection of signatures for the public petition “Support the Nurses of the Algarve”. Copies of the more than 4600 signatures of thousands of solidary citizens with the nurses, were handed over to the CHUA administration, will be sent to ARS Algarve, Prime Minister, and Minister of Health and will be delivered to the Assembly of the Republic, underlines the same document.

In a meeting with deputies elected by the Algarve from the PS, PSD, BE and the deputy of the European parliament of the PCP, it was assumed that the written commitments are to be fulfilled, but the SEP says that, within the scope of other petitions delivered by the union, precisely around this problem, the PS and PSD have not yet presented any proposals for draft law decrees to resolve them.

In the same publication, he recalls that nurses continue to be at the forefront and at risk. “There is a lack of material for clinical consumption in some Health Centres in the region and recent reports have come from professionals and users to buy some material to carry out treatments”, they refer.

Ryanair makes a new donation of 250 thousand euros for the renaturalization of the Monchique Mountains

The airline Ryanair, made for the second consecutive year a donation of 250 thousand euros for the renaturalization of the Serra de Monchique as part of its initiative to offset carbon emissions, thus adding 500 thousand euros in contributions to the project.

This new budget, which, like last year, was obtained through donations from passengers, will finance the planting of over 75 thousand trees destroyed by the 2018 fires in this Algarve area. In the first year of the project, 62 thousand indigenous trees were planted and around 90 owners were supported. It is expected that in the future the set of trees planted may be responsible for the sequestration of 1000 tons of carbon per year.

Ryanair’s Sustainability Director, Thomas Fowler, entrusted another check for 250,000 euros to the project partners – Algarve Tourism Region, Territory and Environment Planning Study Group (GEOTA), Nature and Forest Conservation Institute and Monchique City Council.

Ryanair is the greenest airline in Europe, operating the youngest fleet with the highest occupancy rates and the most efficient fuel consumption per passenger. Likewise, Ryanair has industry-leading CO2 emissions per passenger-km of just 66 grams, up to 50% lower than the other four major European airlines.

Turismo do Algarve went by bicycle, donkey and buggy to honour health professionals

This September 27, World Tourism Day, was celebrated differently by the Algarve Tourism Region. It is that those responsible for the RTA decided to promote, in Silves, activities that brought together the health officials of the region in an outdoor program that led them to ride on the road on an electric bicycle or to ride on a buggy or donkey, as a way to thank them provision in the prevention and control of the pandemic in the Algarve.

At Quinta de Santo Estêvão, on the outskirts of Silves, the moment reflected the theme defined by the United Nations for the World Tourism Day in 2020 (Tourism and Rural Development), through which the sector’s capacity to create opportunities outside the great cities and the need to preserve cultural and natural heritage worldwide, in the face of the current public health crisis.

Situation report Algarve 26th of September

Covid 19 situation

There are 450 active cases of Covid-19 in the Algarve, according to data from the Regional Health Authority, which have just been released by the District Civil Protection Commission.

This total of active cases results from the increase in the number of new infections confirmed in the region in the last 24 hours (plus 48, according to the Regional Health Authority), which was not offset by the increase in cases of recovered patients (plus 22).

There are a total of 11 people in hospital including four in ICU. Of the 1510 confirmed cases to date 1039 have recovered – 68.8%

Covid.19: Twelve employees of the ACASO home in Olhão under active surveillance

Three positive cases of covid.19 were recorded last weekend at the ACASO nursing home in Olhão. The cases are linked to two employees and an 88-year-old patient. All the other 32 elderly people at the institution were negative.

Photo: LinkedIn

João Calão, Director of Services at ACASO, confirmed that the elderly woman is hospitalized, “she is asymptomatic and stable and there has been no increase in cases”. Under active surveillance there are 12 employees out of a total of 25.

The official explained that the first cases were registered following a testing operation at home, by the Public Health authorities, who hope to carry out new tests this weekend.

The infected workers are also stable, “one is without symptoms and the other with mild symptoms, which looks more like a cold”. João Calão explained that the health entities, understood to test the first employee who was asymptomatic, for having other relatives with covid: “the entities were relentless, on Saturday the first case was confirmed, and on Sunday, we already knew the results of all tests to users and employees and the measures to be taken, namely the internment of the user and the isolation of the employees”, he stressed.

Southern Branch of Doctors’ Union criticizes ARS Algarve for hiring doctors “without specific training”

According to the union, the Regional Health Administration (ARS) of the Algarve published, on the 4th of September, a notice for the recruitment of 9 non-specialist doctors for the performance of functions in the field of Public Health, whose employment contract will have a duration of 4 months and a monthly remuneration of 1859 euros gross (ie, approximately 1200 euros net).

For the union, “this is proof of a deliberate governmental intention to create a class of doctors without access to specialized training and thus precarious medical work, has serious repercussions in terms of the quality of care provided”. The same union gave as an example what happened at Hospital Garcia de Orta, which opened a tender for the hiring of doctors without specialization in specific services such as Intensive Care, Anesthesiology or Orthopaedics, for which they do not have skills, he said.

In the union’s position, this type of hiring corresponds to a complete “subversion of the principles of the medical profession”, that is, the doctor is prohibited from exercising in an area for which he has no competences, and respect for the citizens who use the Service. National Health.

COVID-19: Monchique statues wear masks to raise awareness

Municipality of Monchique puts masks on the village’s statues to sensitize the population and tourists to the protection measures against the new Coronavirus.

At the moment when the spread of the disease by the new coronavirus registers significant numbers in our country, and even without active cases in the municipality of Monchique at this moment, the municipality decided to promote this action through its sculptural ensemble spread a little throughout this mountain village. It is important to reach everyone with the message that it is necessary to act to stop the new coronavirus and that this path goes mainly through pedagogy and by increasing the collective awareness that everyone must protect themselves and adopt the protection measures already spread by the municipality of Monchique and by the Directorate-General for Health (DGS).

For Rui André, Mayor of Monchique, “the population of Monchique has been exemplary, as well as the institutions and companies that have adopted protective measures in their establishments / spaces that have contributed decisively to combat the spread of this disease in our country.

Algarve Situation Report Wednesday 23rd September 2020

Covid-19: Louletano has resumed training but there are still eight infected footballers

Louletano’s football team remains with eight players infected with Covid-19, who are due to undergo further diagnostic tests today, to see if they can resume training with the rest of the team, said the president.

“We already have some players training, there are only eight at home, who should do new tests today,” the president of Louletano Desportos Clube, António do Adro, told the Lusa agency, saying that the other players resumed training earlier in the week.

The same source added that, “as they only started training now”, the club “asked for the postponement of three games” of the Portuguese Championship “and one of the Portuguese Cup” to “be able to train for at least three weeks before starting competing” in official games.

“There is already an agreement between the clubs, all that remains to be decided is the date” on which the games will be played after this postponement, added António do Adro, in a reference to the games of the second and third rounds of the championship with Lagos and Olhanense, respectively, and of the Portuguese Cup with Ferreiras, which should take place between the 4th and 18th of October.

The official stressed that the first match against Moncarapachense has already been rescheduled for November 15th and, with this solution, the Algarve team should only start the competition in the third or fourth week of October.

Vila Real de Santo António and Castro Marim outline common strategy to prevent the spread of Covid-19

Following the epidemiological evolution of Covid-19 in the municipalities of Vila Real de Santo António and Castro Marim, and in order to minimize the chances of contagion, the two municipalities decided to implement, by mutual agreement, a set of more restrictive measures of isolation and protection of the population.

In a note sent to the media, the Municipality of Vila Real de St António states that the two municipalities decided to apply some measures in order to minimize the likelihood of contagion.

There are 7 measures, which go through the suspension of all sporting, cultural and social events held in municipal facilities and in public spaces involving crowds of people, and the ban on the use of all municipal sports equipment for the practice of sports, including training and competition games, with the use of municipal sports equipment only being permitted by groupings of schools, under the terms of their contingency plans, for physical education classes, with the group itself being responsible for determining the performance of classes.

Another measure has to do with the recommendation to use an individual protection mask in all situations of contact with other people, including on the street.

The alert for the prohibition of private parties, under the terms already foreseen by the General Directorate of Health (DGS), and reinforcement of the inspection, as well as the request for the collaboration of the police forces “for a rigorous implementation” of the national and municipal regulations related to the combating the pandemic, are other measures that are in place until the 15th of October, which were announced today by the two Municipalities.

Secretary of State Jorge Botelho is the new regional coordinator to combat Covid-19

The Algarvian Jorge Botelho, Secretary of State for Decentralization and Local Administration, is the new regional coordinator of the fight against Covid-19, succeeding José Apolinário, who left the government last week.

Botelho will already participate, this morning, in the meeting of the District Civil Protection Commission, which will take place via VTC.

Jorge Botelho was mayor of Tavira and president of the Intermunicipal Community of Algarve (AMAL), until he was appointed to the current government functions by Prime Minister António Costa.

Interestingly, José Apolinário, who preceded him in regional coordination, left the Secretariat of State for Fisheries to run for president of the Regional Coordination and Development Commission (CCDR) of the Algarve, in the first indirect elections for this position, which result from the recent legislation which was largely conceived by Secretary of State Jorge Botelho.

Algarve Saturday 19th September

Covid-19 Statistics

A total of 971 people have recovered from Covid-19 in the Algarve, according to data from the Regional Health Authority released recently by the District Civil Protection Commission. This means that, since yesterday, there were 13 more patients recovered in the Algarve region.

Even so, taking into account that, in the last week (from 11 to 18 September) there were 122 new cases of Covid-19 in the Algarve, this means that the percentage of people recovered in relation to the total accumulated cases decreased from 76.37% to 73.12%.

On the other hand, the Regional Health Authority announces that, in the last 24 hours, 27 new infections were confirmed, bringing the total accumulated since the beginning of the pandemic to 1328.

There are currently 336 active cases in the region, that is, an increase of 21.1% over last Friday. Over the past week, there was also one more death, on Monday, that of an 80-year-old Italian, residing in the municipality of Loulé, who had been hospitalized in critical condition for intensive weeks at the Hospital Intensive Care for many weeks. from Faro .

At the moment, according to the data revealed today, there are 7 persons in hospital, one of them in the ICU. There was a significant increase in the number of people who are under active surveillance, that is, who are at home, awaiting test results or the end of quarantines: there are now 789, compared to 580 a week ago.

https://www.sulinformacao.pt/2020/09/971-pessoas-ja-recuperaram-da-covid-19-no-algarve/

Albufeira – Mayor announces measures at start of school year.

The Salão Nobre dos Paços do Concelho hosted yesterday morning a meeting between all the bodies involved in the different dynamics of the start of the school year in Albufeira.

Health Delegate, National Republican Guard, Civil Protection, Presidents of Parish Councils, Directors of School Groups and Municipal Health and Education services responded affirmatively to the Mayor’s invitation to, jointly with ABC – Algarve Biomedical Center, to present the “Adaptation Strategy of the Educational Community” to minimize the possibility of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 – the virus that causes COVID-19 disease.

In a statement, the municipality took stock of what has been preparing for the beginning of the school year, which is “one of the most difficult and controversial moments of any political management” and this year “we have added difficulties”, José Carlos Roll said at the opening of the meeting.

The mayor continued: “it is necessary, more than ever, and given the pandemic context, to minimize all risks. It would be utopian to say that the problems do not exist or to imagine that there will not be occasional cases of Covid-19 in schools, but there is an urgent need for the whole community to know that concerted work is being done, networking with security and security and health authorities, together with the schools and the Municipality, in order to transmit confidence to the parents of the students and to the professionals involved, as the moment is one of uncertainty and perplexity”.

Alcoutim – Testing for teachers, and school employees and students upon request

The Alcoutim City Council is making available today, to all teachers and employees of schools in the municipality, the possibility of carrying out Covid-19 screening tests. Serological tests and molecular tests (RT-PCR) are being carried out in the Schools of Alcoutim and Martim Longo by ABC-Algarve Biomedical Center.

“For a good start to the school year, we decided to test teachers and staff and tests for students will be available if requested and authorized by parents. The interest in testing teachers and staff is based on the concern to do everything in our power to minimize the risk of contagion and guarantee the best conditions at the start of the school year”, says the Mayor, Osvaldo Gonçalves, in a note from the municipality.

Algarve Wednesday 16th September

Italian resident in Loulé is the new fatal victim of Covid-19 in the Algarve

An 80-year-old Italian, resident in the municipality of Loulé, is the latest fatal victim of Covid-19 in the Algarve, confirmed a source from the Regional Health Authority.

The man was “in a critical situation for some time, hospitalized in intensive care,” said the same source. He died yesterday at the hospital in Faro.

This is, according to data from the Regional Health Authority, the 21st death in the Algarve region, due to Covid-19, since the beginning of the pandemic.

This new death in the Algarve was revealed today by the daily epidemiological bulletin of the Directorate-General for Health. This entity accounts for 2 fewer deaths than the Regional Authority just because of the victims’ residence.

This Tuesday, according to DGS data, there are 15 new cases since Monday bringing the cumulative total of cases to 1259.

Algarve Covid-19 Transmission rate lowest in the country

The Algarve has one of the lowest transmission rates (Rt) of covid-19 in all regions on the continent, despite the increase in new cases in recent days, said today the president of the Regional Health Administration (ARS).

At the fortnightly press conference of the District Civil Protection, in Loulé, Paulo Morgado said that the Rt in the Algarve region is 1.07, which means that each infected person gets, on average, 1.07.

“The Rt of the Algarve is one of the lowest in all regions of the country”, he stressed, noting that the situation “is relatively controlled” in the region, despite the daily increase in new cases.

The regional health delegate of Faro, Ana Cristina Guerreiro, also considered that the situation in the Algarve “is comfortable, given the circumstances”, namely, the fact that there was a lot of mobility during the summer holidays.

According to the official, mobility, activities and family reunions – especially with emigrants or people from other regions – are the factors that have most contributed to the increase in the number of cases.

Currently, the biggest active outbreak in the Algarve is related to the senior football team of Louletano Desportos Clube, detected at the end of August and which caused a total of 47 cases, among members of the club and family.

Regarding a balance of the number of cases detected during the summer in the Algarve, Ana Cristina Guerreiro said that a “more in-depth technical analysis” is foreseen, but, however, in an “initial assessment”, the situation “went as smoothly as possible”.

Albufeira maintains commercial establishments closing hours during contingency situations

The opening hours of commercial establishments in Albufeira will not change, with the country entering into a contingency situation, as decided by the mayor of Albufeira.

José Carlos Rolo issued an order this Monday stating that in the municipality of Albufeira the schedules that were already in force will be maintained, despite the change from the alert situation to the contingency situation, a level with tighter preventive measures.

The Resolution of the Council of Ministers of last Thursday attributed to the presidents of the Chamber the responsibility to define the closing time of the commercial establishments, in the time window between 20h00 and 23h00.

“We are not going to change anything and I just call on everyone to have the flexibility and the good will to, in this extraordinary and difficult context, adapt and, as far as possible, do and do their best. Albufeira, I am convinced, will not stop and will go down in history regarding this terrible moment. But we are all going to be victorious”, considered the mayor of Albufeira.

“It is important to think about the community and give a vote of confidence to anyone who has thought of these measures, in order to prevent the spread of the pandemic,” he added.

Regarding the opening of establishments, and in line with the diploma approved by the Government, the establishments in Albufeira have to open after 10 am, “except the hairdressing salons, barbers, beauty institutes, restaurants and the like, cafeterias, tea houses and the like, driving schools and technical vehicle inspection centres, as well as gyms and gyms”.

As for the closing time, it remains at 11 pm, “except for those who have their own specifications considered in that Resolution”.

The Albufeira Chamber also stressed “that establishments that have never closed can continue to maintain the hours prior to this legal measure, that is, they are not covered by paragraph 1 of Article 10 of the aforementioned Resolution of the Council of Ministers”.

Monchique educational community tested Covid-19 serological tests

Teachers, employees, but also drivers, security guards and workers from other services related to education and sport in the municipality of Monchique underwent serological tests on Covid-19, before the beginning of another school year.

This initiative was carried out in close collaboration with the ABC – Algarve Biomedical Center and the Monchique Schools Group, and was the first of other initiatives of this nature that the Câmara de Monchique intends to carry out aimed at other groups as well.

“The realization of these serological tests to our workers, to all teaching and non-teaching staff who, due to the nature of their functions, will be in the first line of action and contact with students, will allow not only to obtain very interesting data about the real immune status of this population, as it will also be essential, in terms of human resources, so that we can refine initiatives and procedures to be adopted in the current scenario of worsening of the epidemic situation in our country, despite the fact that the municipality does not register any positive case at this moment”, said Rui André, Mayor of Monchique.

Algarve Saturday 12th of September

Covid-19 Situation update reported 11th September

The District Civil Protection Commission of Faro gave notice of the current epidemiological situation in the Algarve, based on data provided by the Regional Health Delegate, which points to 265 active cases in the region.

So far, 1206 infected people have been registered, 16 more in the last 24 hours with 921 recovered (cumulative), equivalent to 76.37%.

6 people are hospitalized, 2 in the Intensive Care Units. The same source reports 20 deaths in the region. Under active surveillance there are 580 people and 107 (cumulative) were discharged.

In relation to the bulletin of last Friday, September 4th, 21 less active cases and 58 new cases from Covid are confirmed.19. Another 78 people are recovered.

There is 1 more person hospitalized (6), and 1 less in intensive care (2). The number of deaths rose to 20 (+1), under active surveillance there are 45 more people.

One more patient was discharged from hospital.

The same source draws attention to the fact that since August 5, 166 follow-up visits have been made, through health, social security and civil protection technicians, in all municipalities in the Algarve region, with the aim of supporting Institutions in the implementation of appropriate measures, in a preventive and pedagogical nature, in order to reduce the risk of infection by COVID-19.

The following observations were made: Albufeira (11), Alcoutim (6), Aljezur (1), Castro Marim (3), Faro (18), Lagos (14), Lagoa (7), Loulé (27), Monchique (2), Olhão (7), Portimão (26), São Brás de Alportel (8), Silves (5), Tavira (19), Vila do Bispo (6) and Vila Real de Santo António (6).

ANA says number of passengers did not justify summer queuing system at Faro airport

The chairman of the Board of Directors of ANA Aeroportos, José Luís Arnaut, told Lusa yesterday that the summer queuing circuit at Faro airport has not opened because the number of passengers has fallen below the required amount.

Reacting to statements by the Minister of Internal Affairs, who criticized the lack of opening of the summer area at Faro airport, a situation that could increase the queues, José Luís Arnaut explained that, according to the concession contract, to increase circulation space is necessary to have 2,100 passengers per hour, but the maximum recorded in August was 1,029.

“The summer circuit is scheduled to start when there are 2,100 passengers per hour. Unfortunately, on the peak days in August, the maximum we had was 1,029 and, if in February, on the winter circuit, we had 140,000 passengers. and [the airport] functioned, naturally that in August, with 120 thousand, it can also work, if the Foreigners and Borders Service (SEF) has employees in the ‘boxes’ and these are not empty “, underlined the person in charge of ANA.

José Luís Arnaut stressed that it was “with some astonishment and even some institutional indignation” that he heard the Minister of Internal Administration, Eduardo Cabrita, having blamed ANA – Aeroportos de Portugal for the lines at Faro airport today, accusing him of “repeatedly” violated public service obligations “and” harmed the country “.

British nationals returning from the Algarve

Dozens of British tourists in the Algarve are anticipating their return to the United Kingdom today, to avoid fulfilling their quarantine on their return home, after the British Government announced the closure of the air corridor with mainland Portugal.

Several British citizens contacted by Lusa at Faro airport were unhappy with the British Government’s decision, but due to work commitments they were forced to expedite, some of them, their return to England by several days.

“I do not agree with my country’s decision to place Portugal [with the exception of the Azores and Madeira] in the air risk corridors, not evaluating the regions, as is the case in the Algarve, a region where I feel safe”, Carly Spencer told Lusa .

The surgeon, resident in the north of England, said that the measure “forced her to bring forward the return flight home by six days, which cost about 500 euros, to avoid quarantine on arrival in the United Kingdom”. “The vacation ends next week and I cannot, for professional reasons, subject myself to a two-week quarantine,” he said. Carly Spencer added that the situation in Portugal “may raise concerns in large cities like Lisbon and Porto, but the Algarve should be an exception for the British Government”.

Cultural facilities in the municipality of Vila Real de Santo António (VRSA) earn the “Clean & Safe” seal of Turismo de Portugal.

The cultural facilities in the municipality of Vila Real de Santo António (Municipal Library, Cultural Centre António Aleixo and Municipal Historic Archive) obtained the “Clean & Safe” accreditation, attributed by Turismo de Portugal, thus guaranteeing their safety in the face of the COVID- 19.

To receive this seal, the spaces implemented a contingency plan that, according to the recommendations of the Directorate-General for Health, ensures social distance and the necessary hygiene to avoid risks of contamination with SARS-CoV-2 (new coronavirus).

In order to be able to affix the “Clean & Safe” seal, municipal cultural facilities also had to comply with the set of provisions contained in the “Declaration of Commitment”, provided by the Regional Tourism Authority of the Algarve, guaranteeing safe procedures for its operation.

The accreditation is valid until April 30, 2021 and can be posted either in physical facilities, or in the channels and platforms for dissemination and sale.

Algarve report Wednesday 9th September

Covid.19: Algarve without fairs until the end of the year

The decision of the municipalities in the Algarve was taken at the AMAL Intermunicipal Council Meeting. The mayors consider that the conditions are not met to allow annual fairs to be held.

In a statement, AMAL said that in the context of the current pandemic, the Municipalities of the Algarve decided, at the Council meeting that took place on the 5th, “not to hold the Fairs that take place, once a year, in different counties in the region “. The decision will be maintained at least until the end of this year, until further evaluation, read in the same note.

Despite the fairs being held outdoors, AMAL explains that they “would have to obey a set of guidelines from the General Directorate of Health (DGS), which mayors affirm that there are no conditions to be met, since they imply a great deal of concentration of people “.

Thus, the same source reports that the holding of, for example, the Feira de Santa Iria, in Faro, the Feira de São Miguel, in Olhão, the Feira da Praia, in Vila Real de Santo António, the Feira de São Francisco, in Tavira, from Feira de São Martinho, in Portimão, or from Feira Franca, in Lagos.

In addition to this assessment, AMAL reinforces that, according to what has already been announced by the Government, the entire country will, as of September 15, enter a State of Contingency.

Open call to recruit 42 doctors at the Centro Universitario Universitário do Algarve

The Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Algarve (CHUA) reported today that it has 42 vacancies for hiring doctors, in various specialties, within the scope of the national competition published on September 4 in Diário da República with the aim of strengthening the National Health Service. Health (SNS) with over 950 medical professionals.

For CHUA, this contest launched by the Government, through the Ministry of Health, “will allow the creation of conditions to provide the Algarve hospital units with more specialist doctors, thus solving, if the vacancies are fully filled, some of the main constraints felt over the years “.

The dispatch with the distribution of the contingent of the 950 vacancies of the 1st season competition of the newly specialists in the hospital (911) and public health (39) areas was published last Friday in Diário da República.

The contest has a period of 5 days, counting from the date of publication in the Diário da República. For more information, see Notice No. 13200-E / 2020, of September 4, 2020.

Algarve Report Saturday September 5th

Covid 19

In the Algarve there are 1148 total confirmed cases to date including 286 currently active. On these there were 11 confirmed cases in the last 24 hrs.

Of the total to date 843 have recovered or 73.4%. The number of people in hospital is five and in ICU is three.

British and Portuguese help hotels achieve 60.5% occupancy in August

Algarve hotels had an average occupancy / room of 60.5% in August, a low figure when compared to previous years, but high in relation to the other months of 2020.

According to the Association of Hotels and Tourist Enterprises of the Algarve (AHETA), this month’s results had the positive influence of the British market, which increased demand by 3.5pp compared to July, «following the opening of the air corridor in 20 August between the United Kingdom and the Algarve ».

The increase in demand from the national market, which rose by 6.4%, in relation to the same month of 2019, also helped to achieve this occupancy rate. The Portuguese represented 67.7% of the total overnight stays.

Even so, despite the national “aid”, the occupancy rate of 60.5% was 35% below the value registered last year.

Despite the recovery in relation to July, the British market was the one that fell the most compared to last year (-18.4pp), followed by the Irish (-4.2%), French (-2.8pp) and the German (- 2.6%).

Sales volume also decreased 36.4%, compared to August last year.

In accumulated values, the bed occupancy registered an average decrease of -58.1% since January and the sales volume decreased by -56.8%.

José Apolinário is elected as PS for the CCDR of the Algarve.

José Apolinário and António Ceia da Silva are the candidates chosen by the PS for the presidency of the Coordination and Regional Development Commissions (CCDR) of the Algarve and Alentejo, respectively. And if, in the Algarve, there are no obstacles to the election of the current Secretary of State for Fisheries, in Alentejo the name of the acting president of the Regional Tourism Authority of the Algarve and Ribatejo is disputed, even within the PS.

According to the newspaper Público today, José Apolinário will be the socialist candidate in the first indirect elections for the presidency of the Algarve CCDR, which will take place in October. Bearing in mind that the electoral college is composed of mayors from the region, the vast majority of the PS, the election should be only pro-forma.

José Apolinário, who has already been a deputy and mayor of Faro, has been the regional coordinator of the fight against Covid-19 in the Algarve since April 8, first in the state of emergency, then in the state of Calamidade and now in the alert. A function that, in addition to his previous and current experience, as Secretary of State for Fisheries, has given him an in-depth knowledge of the Algarve situation.

Algarve

Situation report Wednesday September 2nd 2020

GNR operation against wild camping

A total of 200 infractions, of which 164 resulting from wild camping, as well as motorhome and illegal parking in non-permitted locations, and 36 for non-compliance with the traffic sign regulation, were detected by GNR, during an operation that took place from 26 to 31 August, in the municipalities of Aljezur and Vila do Bispo, especially in the Natural Park of Southwest Alentejo and Costa Vicentina.

The action, undertaken by the Territorial Detachment of Portimão, within the scope of the “Summer Safe 2020” operation, included the reinforcement of the Lagos Traffic Substation, the Portimão Coastal Control Substation, and the support of the Regional Directorate for Nature Conservation and Algarve Forests (ICNF) and the Lagos Maritime Police.

The objective was to monitor and combat “illegal caravanning and wild camping”, added the GNR, in a press release sent to newsrooms.

“Camping and wild caravanning is an identified problem that constitutes a factor in the destruction of habitats, some of which are protected, in addition to representing an illegal occupation, which results in a degradation of the places used, by uncontrolled deposition of waste, which are spread over the unduly occupied place ”, concludes the GNR.

Theft of carobs Loulé.

A 30-year-old man was identified this Monday, August 31, for theft of agricultural products in Loulé.

GNR said in a statement that it seized 870 kilograms of carobs, during a road inspection action, with the Guard military approached a vehicle that carried the transport of several bags of locust beans.

In the inspection operation, the driver stated that he was authorized to pick up the carobs that he was transporting, from several lands. However the GNR verified that the carobs had been stolen, “having been possible to identify the legitimate owner of part of the carob transported by the suspect”.

The individual was identified and constituted the defendant, the carob, valued at 683 euros, were apprehended and the facts forwarded to the Loulé Judicial Court.

GNR has been carrying out awareness and inspection actions since June 1, within the scope of the “Campo Seguro 2020” operation, with the objective of preventing theft crimes, near agricultural properties. Since at this time of the year, the focus in the Algarve region is on carob, due to the commercial value it represents and the ease in both picking and selling, Guarda increased policing in order to deter and repress the practice of theft of carob.

Câmara de Lagoa to create a Municipal Police

The Câmara de Lagoa started the process to create a Municipal Police and expects to have it completed in 2021, after approval by the Municipal Assembly, by the end of the year, the municipality announced today.

The municipality approved “unanimously”, in the last Chamber session, on August 25, a proposal that foresees to start the elaboration of a regulation on the functioning of the Municipal Police, which will later be subject to the vote in the Municipal Assembly, and considered that this it is “the first step” of a process that “should be completed during the next year of 2021”.

“Drawing up a regulation for the operation of the ‘Municipal Police of the municipality of Lagoa’ is the first step on a path that should lead to the creation of this specialized police service. The decision to start the process was taken unanimously at the last public meeting of the Câmara de Lagoa ”, the municipality welcomed in a statement.

The same source justified the decision to move towards the creation of a Municipal Police with the “need to adapt resources to the challenges and responsibilities of the municipality of Lagoa in the areas of inspection”.

The “protection of the environment, commercial establishments, occupation of public space, traffic and parking, advertising, monitoring of sporting and cultural events, without forgetting the pedagogical aspect, in a logic of proximity to the citizen”, are areas of supervision that will pass to the tutelage of the Municipal Police, according to the proposal of the municipal executive chaired by Luís Encarnação.

Covid-19 Situation Report Saturday 29th August 2020

The Algarve has, since Thursday until yesterday, 10 new cases of Covid-19, according to the regional health delegate, in a press conference. The number of recovered people has also increased (three more) and the epidemiological situation in the region “remains stabilized“.

According to Algarve Health authority statistics, there were a total of 245 active Covid-19 cases in the Algarve with eight in hospital and none in ICU. To date there have been 1045 cases of whom 790 have recovered e.g. a recovery rate of 74.9%. Of those contracting the disease 19 have died according to regional figures.

There are now 264 active cases. These data mean that the situation in the Algarve is “stabilized, despite the number of visitors present in the region, which should be around one and a half million”, considered Ana Cristina Guerreiro. Proof of this is that “we do not have a large active outbreak”. “We have some outbreaks, between 13 and 15, basically of family or work transmission. We also have imported cases or of Portuguese who were on vacation, basically in Spain, or of foreigners who get sick here in the region”, explained Ana Cristina Guerreiro.

Of the active cases, of which only 40 are imported cases – referring to Portuguese who arrived from abroad or tourists.

“[These are] Portuguese who were on vacation in Spain or foreigners of various nationalities who fall ill in our region”, she exemplified, adding that imported cases represent 17% of active cases in the region.

According to Ana Cristina Guerreiro, many of the tourists who arrive in the Algarve come from areas that are considered affected areas. Questioned by journalists about their countries of origin, the official said they were of “dispersed nationalities”.

The president of the District Civil Protection Commission, António Miguel Pina, took the opportunity to devalue the number of imported cases, taking into account that the population in the Algarve triples during the summer months.

Covid-19: More than 30 athletes and members of the Louletano football team infected

A total of 33 athletes and members of the senior football team at Louletano Desportos Clube tested positive for covid-19, a source from the Algarve Regional Health Administration (ARS) told Lusa today.

According to the same source, the first case was diagnosed on Wednesday and during Thursday “the team was studied”, and it was decided that “everyone should be tested” today.

All professionals were “placed in isolation”, as well as “all direct contacts, both positive and negative”, he added,

Louletano Desportos Clube’s senior football team is playing in the Senior Portuguese Championship.

Algarve Summer Situation

At a time when summer is coming to an end, José Apolinário, Secretary of State coordinating the implementation of the Declaration of the Situation of Alert in the Algarve, made a point of hghlighting the “great commitment of beach entrepreneurs and concessionaires”.

“Two months ago, we often discussed the conditions of access to the beaches, with huge doubts. We can say, at the end of August, that there was a great involvement, commitment and spirit of articulation between everyone and that shows a safe and open region to the world”, he considered. For what is yet to come – September and October – Apolinário expects “a long summer”.

“We are committed, over the next two months, from September to October, to make it a long summer with great events, such as golf Masters, Formula 1 and Moto GP”, he said. Regarding the response of the National Health Service, Josélia Gonçalves, member of the ARS Algarve Board of Directors, said that the current scenario “gives confidence”.

“We continue to strengthen the response capacity. Today we are going to sign 17 more nursing contracts, for example, to reinforce primary health care and this reinforcement has been a constant in recent months. Right now, we have five areas dedicated to Covid and we have the capacity to create five more », he explained.

Algarve arrivals

The opening of the travel corridor with the United Kingdom is already having a positive effect on the Algarve’s economy, with the increase in new reserves and the reactivation of those that had been cancelled, especially for September and October. At Faro airport, the increase in passengers is already noticeable, with British tourists telling Lusa that they were waiting for the lifting of the quarantine requirement imposed by the British government to be able to travel to Portugal.

“We had nothing prepared. As soon as they said we could go on vacation, we booked the plane trip and then looked for a hotel”, said James Meakin, just arrived from London.

Other passengers on the flight from the British capital reveal that it was only after lifting the quarantine requirement on their return to the country that they decided to travel, with a tourist considering that “it would be disrespectful for people from the other country to travel against travel advice”. Also just arrived on a “completely full” flight, Soraya Halabi highlighted the “orderly and respectful” way in which “all passengers wore a mask”, on a trip where “families with children” predominated.

Amanda Reverten, on the other hand, revealed that her “first time in Portugal” happens after having cancelled her vacation in “Spain, then in France and Croatia” due to the imposition of the British government, on a trip that was “scheduled a few hours later” from the announcement of the removal of the country from the ‘black list’ ”.

Situation Report Azores – 29th September 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
The Regional Health Authority has reported that, from 4100 tests carried out in the two reference laboratories in the Region since the 25th of September, twelve positive cases of COVID-19 on the islands of São Miguel, Terceira and Faial, have been diagnosed.
All the cases have been detected at the airports during the required screening procedure or on the follow-up test carried out on all arrivals to the region on the 6th day of the stay.
All the cases arrived in the region by air from continental Portugal.
The cases are all in a stable clinical condition and the procedures defined for the confirmed case, testing and surveillance of close contacts, as well as all those inherent to the deepening of the epidemiological investigation, have already been carried out by the Local Health Delegations.
Three recoveries were recorded on the island of São Miguel, bringing to 181 the number of recovered cases of COVID-19 in the Region.
So far, 302 cases of infection with the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19 disease, have been detected in the Region, with 73 active positive cases currently, of which 49 on the island of São Miguel, 11 on Terceira island, five on Pico island, four on Graciosa island, three on Faial island and one on Santa Maria island.
Pandemic prevention and containment measures should be maintained and strengthened, whenever possible, by citizens and public, private and social sector organizations.
The Regional Health Authority reiterates the need to comply with all recommendations already made public in this regard, especially that, in case of symptoms, do not seek a Hospital or Health Unit, but call the Azores Health Line – 808 24 60 24.
For more information, visit the website created by the Government of the Azores on pandemic control in the Region, at https://destinoseguro.azores.gov.pt/ , or the Facebook page of the Regional Health Directorate, at https: / /www.facebook.com/DirecaoSaudeAcores/ .
Situation Report Azores – 25th September 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
The Government of the Azores, through the Vice-Presidency has decided to extend the deadline for submitting applications, until the end of this year, for Azorean companies to continue to access financial support for the purchase of protective equipment and the adaptation of establishments. This will allow companies to comply with Health Department recommendations
According to a Government Council Resolution published today in the Official Journal, December 31st will become the deadline for submitting applications for the Support Program for the Adaptation of Companies in the context of COVID-19, and its presentation must be made through an electronic form available on the website of the Regional Directorate for Support to Investment and Competitiveness (DRAIC) on the Internet.
Under this exceptional program, Azorean companies can access additional support that includes the ‘non-refundable’ contribution of 85% towards the purchase of personal protection and hygiene equipment up to 5,000 euros. This must satisfy compliance of the conditions indicated by the Regional Health Authority, aimed at micro and small companies and cooperatives.
This extraordinary measure allows one application per company, making it possible, in the case of an entrepreneur who operates several establishments, that the maximum amount of eligible investment is 15 thousand euros. Expenses can include funds for the installation of protective barriers, among other moderating and physical distance equipment, the reorganization and adaptation of workplaces, as well as the purchase of devices, personal protective equipment, including masks, gloves, visors, among others, are eligible.
The Government of the Azores also decided to extend until December 30th the deadline for submitting applications for projects to adapt facilities of amounts between 5,000 and 40,000 euros, with a maximum execution period of six months, which may under exceptional circumstances, up to 120 thousand euros for companies that own several establishments, within the scope of the Subsystem of Incentives for Local Development, of the Incentive System Competir +.
The Regional Government will grant a non-refundable incentive of 70% of the eligible expenses related to layout alteration works, to the acquisition of machinery and equipment that are necessary to comply with new working methods, for the acquisition and installation of hygiene equipment, among others things, aiming at adapting facilities to established standards.
These projects should have an impact on the modernization and optimization of the physical structures of premises, the introduction of innovative equipment or on the creation or maintenance of jobs, but without neglecting compliance with the guidelines defined by the regional authorities for the reopening of establishments and resumption of activity. The Government of the Azores, in just three months, has already received around 300 applications from small and medium-sized companies for support for the purchase of protective equipment and adaptation of establishments in the context of COVID-19.
New Cases
Since the 22nd of September and after 3,587 tests for COVID-19 in the two reference laboratories there have been 13 new cases and one recovery. There are currently 5 transmission chains active in the region.
A total 290 cases of infection by the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which causes COVID-19 disease, have been detected in the Region, with 66 active positive cases currently, of which 45 on the island of São Miguel, 10 on the island of Terceira, six on the island of Pico, four on the island Graciosa and one on the island of Santa Maria.

Situation Report Azores – 22nd September 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
Press release from the President of the Regional Government of the Azores
“The Government Council, meeting in Ponta Delgada, this Monday, analysed the situation of the Covid-19 pandemic in the Azores, as well as the set of measures that in this regard have already been implemented in the Region, from the perspective of those directed at the screening and containment of positive cases, whether from the perspective of support aimed at companies and workers, within the scope of its economic and social effects.
Over these six months, the Government of the Azores has implemented 98 measures to support the maintenance of employment, the disposable income of families and to encourage the economy and the maintenance of the productive capacity of companies, to minimize the social and economic effects of the pandemic of Covid-19.
The combined effect of these measures has allowed the Azores to be the only Region in the country that has managed to maintain the level of employment in the last six months, without registering an increase in unemployment.
In practice, the measures taken have ensured that Azorean companies have significantly higher support than other companies in the country, and non-repayable financial incentives, which substantially contribute to personnel expenses, provided that they maintain all jobs.
To help the resumption of economic activity, new supports were created, innovative in the national context, which reinforced the non-refundable support for the maintenance of employment and created new support for the training of workers, in the period of less activity, increasing the conditions for companies to continue to maintain all their jobs.
In terms of the protection of public health, the system of screening and surveillance in force in the Azores has proved to be absolutely essential for the detection of positive cases, whether tests carried out prior to departure, destined for the Azores, from zones considered to be of active community transmission or with active transmission chains, either from the tests carried out on arrival, or, and very significantly, in tests carried out on the 6th day.
Covid-19 Situation
As of today, September 22, the Region presents the following epidemiological situation:
Since March 16th, a total of 277 cases of infection with the new coronavirus have been detected, with 16 deaths.
Currently there are 55 active positive cases, of which 43 on the island of São Miguel, eight on the island of Terceira, three on the island of Pico and one on the island Graciosa.
With the cases diagnosed and after an epidemiological investigation carried out so far, five chains of local transmission are identified on the island of São Miguel.
Since March, there have been 175 recoveries and there is no hospitalization in the Region by Covid-19 since May 24th, that is, more than 120 days.
In addition, within the scope of the system for screening passengers from abroad, 73 positive cases were detected in the screening tests carried out in the network of laboratories agreed outside the Region, as well as 71 positive cases detected in the tests carried out at airports on arrival in the Azores. .
It should also be noted that the tests carried out on the 6th day after the first test, a procedure that, nationwide, is only carried out in the Azores, has detected 40 positive cases of infection with the new coronavirus.
This data shows us that, until now, the system of testing and detecting positive cases has fulfilled its function, contributing, to the creation of safe conditions for the Azoreans in the gradual process of returning to normality.
Regional Health Service
As part of the preparation for the response to the Covid-19 pandemic, work has been carried out to strengthen the capacity of the Regional Health Service, which currently has:
– 82 ventilators, which represents an increase of 54% in the number of these devices in relation to March, when the current pandemic situation started.
– 26 rooms of negative pressure distributed by the hospitals of Ponta Delgada, Angra do Heroísmo and Horta, twice the number that existed before the pandemic.
– a processing capacity of around 1,800 tests per day in the two public laboratories operating in the Region, there have been days when this capacity has gone beyond that, when, in March, the installed capacity in the Region was around 250 daily tests , an increase of about 620 percent.
In addition to this current capacity, there are about 207 sample collection points spread across the continent and Madeira.
In total, since March, more than 170 thousand PCR tests have been carried out, about 134 thousand of which in the two public laboratories in the Region and about 36 thousand tests in the network of laboratories agreed outside the Region.
The average stock of personal protection equipment in most health units in the Region is 300 days, and in some cases, additional acquisitions of some types of this material have been ordered.
Despite the fact that the Region is better prepared, as a result of the work carried out over the past months and involving several entities, the situation of the pandemic at the international and national level, which is compounded by the arrival of autumn / winter, will impose additional precautions, as we take the necessary measures to continue the balance between safety and confidence in the resumption of social and economic life in the Region.
Government Council – reinforcement of measures
In this sense, the Government Council, in the scope of reinforcing the measures of screening, detection and containment of eventual positive cases, decided:
1 – Proceed with the acquisition of 100 thousand rapid tests, which will allow to reinforce the capacity to screen for possible positive cases of Covid-19 in schools and nursing homes in the Region.
These rapid tests, approved by INFARMED, are a complement to the PCR tests, will be another screening tool, allowing, in less than half an hour and in a decentralized way, the testing of suspected cases of infection, the confirmation of cases of active infection and the tracking of contacts, with the adoption of the respective procedures.
Its use will be for situations where it is necessary to assess, quickly, any contagions, along-side the tests for PCR.
2 Starting tomorrow, September 23, the annual flu vaccination campaign, starting with the Residential Structures for the Elderly and Integrated Continuing Care Units, covering users and employees, followed by health professionals and the rest of the population benefiting from free vaccination.
3 – Create a reception centre in the Palace of Santa Catarina, in Angra do Heroísmo, with a capacity of up to 62 beds, for patients admitted to a hospital unit or sheltered in residential structures for the elderly and / or other situations that may be justified. In order to increase the number of rooms and beds available, similar to the space already created for the same purpose in São Miguel.
4 – Reinforce the screening for SARS-CoV-2 for employees of Residential Structures for the Elderly, Residential Homes for People with Disabilities, Integrated Continuous Care Units, Health Homes and Home Support Service, on the island of São Miguel, passing from a monthly to biweekly.
5 – Establish the frequency of testing for the SARS-CoV-2 virus to health professionals who provide services in the structures of the Regional Health Service of the island of São Miguel, every 15 days, instead of monthly, as currently takes place;
6 – Create two teams of professionals, namely in the area of nursing and support for the elderly, who will be in a state of readiness in order to supply, immediately, a possible shortage of human resources resulting from an outbreak scenario that may occur in residential structures.
One of the teams will be based on the island of São Miguel and the other on the island of Terceira.
7 – To recommend to Private Institutions of Social Solidarity and ‘homes’ with residential reception and home support service, on the island of São Miguel, the adoption of a methodology for organizing working hours in “mirror”, in order to guarantee the existence of an available team, in case of contagion by Covid-19 of the working team.
In this regard, a new financial instrument aimed at these institutions will be created, to compensate for the possible increase in personnel costs resulting from the adoption of this measure.
8 – Reinforce support for IPSS and ‘Homes’ that manage social responses, through the constitution of mixed Health and Social Solidarity teams to verify the specific operating conditions of these structures with a view to preventing and controlling infection by Covid-19.
9 – Provide guidance to public schools in the Autonomous Region of the Azores for the adoption of the rule of only having the physical presence of teaching and non-teaching staff, who eventually returned from traveling outside the Region, after obtaining two negative tests of screen for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, including the test performed on the 6th day;
10 – Create a financial incentive to conduct screening tests for SARS-CoV-2 prior to shipment to the Region from areas considered by the World Health Organization to be areas of active community transmission or with active local transmission chains, usable exclusively in purchases of goods or services in the Region, also serving the purpose of stimulating local economic activity;
11 – Recommend the use of a mask in open public spaces with a large concentration of people, that is, in places with greater difficulty in guaranteeing the recommended physical distance.
This recommendation will soon be subject to the respective guidance of the Regional Health Authority.
This recommendation is especially relevant for cases in which the result of the screening test carried out on the 6th day is awaited, and those who are in these circumstances must also pay special attention to compliance with other public health protection measures.
In addition to these, and within the scope of measures to support various activities affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, the Governing Council also decided to:

Situation Report Azores – 18th September 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
The Regional Secretary for Energy, Environment and Tourism revealed today that the WTO – World Tourism Organization has highlighted the work of the Region under the ‘Clean & Safe Azores’ seal.
The ‘World Tourism Organization’ has said that “The Azores, as the world’s first archipelago certified as a sustainable destination by ‘EarthCheck’ / GSTC, consider this initiative essential for companies and tour operators to implement safe work measures and for that, through concerted action, the promotion and reinforcement of destination security”.
Marta Guerreiro expressed “great satisfaction” for this distinction, which she considered to be “another recognition of the successful work that the Government of the Azores has carried out with regard to the creation and implementation of health security measures in the tourism sector”.
The ‘Clean & Safe Açores’ initiative aims to recognize tourism entities that comply with the recommendations of the Regional Health Authority, after working in partnership with regional entities representing the sector.
IPDT – Tourism and Consulting, is the entity responsible for the design, organization and execution of training sessions.
The Government of the Azores scheduled multiple free training sessions, divided by thematic areas, according to the modules of the Manual of Good Practices, which can be consulted at https://clean-safe.azores.gov.pt/ .
The objective is to prepare for the return of tourism in the Azores by improving the provision of tourist services, from the health point of view, reinforcing the trust of customers and visitors. The training also aims to raise awareness among tourist organizations about cleaning, hygiene and basic measures for the prevention and control of COVID-19 infection and to provide information to participants to help them adapt these procedures for their businesses.
Covid-19 update
The Regional Health Authority has reported that, from 3197 tests carried out in the two reference laboratories in the Region since the 15th of September, only two positive cases of COVID-19 on the island of São Miguel, have been diagnosed.
Both cases were detected at the airport during the required screening procedure or on the follow-up test carried out on all arrivals to the region on the 6th day of the stay. They arrived from Europe and Portugal. There have been six recoveries in the region.
So far, 259 cases of infection by the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which causes COVID-19 disease, have been detected in the Region, with 42 active positive cases currently, of which 33 on the island of São Miguel, six on Terceira Island, two on Pico Island and one on Graciosa Island.

Situation Report Azores 15th September – 16th September 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
Travellers wishing to disembark in the Azores have, from now on, the web tool ‘My Safe Azores’, which makes the health control process on entering the archipelago easier and faster.
It is available here, at https://mysafeazores.com /. It allows passengers to carry out, in a single interaction and in advance, all the steps that the traveller must follow upon arrival in the Region.
Through this tool, passengers can schedule their SARS-CoV-2 test by the RT-PCR method within 72 hours before departure, in laboratories agreed with the Region in mainland Portugal and in the Autonomous Region of Madeira, fill in and send in advance the Risk Assessment and Early Detection Questionnaire and also attach the negative result to your individual process.
When passengers complete the Risk Assessment and Early Detection Questionnaire, they receive a code generated by the application, which can be presented at the airport, making the circulation process easier and faster.
Passengers arriving in the Region with a screening test and a negative result attached to the platform, previously validated by the Health Delegation, can present the code and leave the airport.
For passengers taking the screening test on arrival, the process is also faster, as their data is automatically integrated.
Ponta Delgada Airport will now have new arrivals systems for disembarking passengers.
This is an action of the Government of the Azores, through the regional secretariats of Health, Transport and Tourism, in partnership with ANA – Airports.
There are now three clearly marked zones both airside and landside:
• Inter-islands – yellow zone.
• Passenger disembarking from the outside without a test – blue zone, with three infrastructures equipped with six air-conditioned offices, which guarantee comfort, privacy and security to its users, whether health teams or passengers, where tests will be carried out for SARS-CoV-2, as well as additional infrastructure for logistical support;
• Passenger disembarking from abroad who have test – green area, with six open infrastructures for reception and speedy treatment of passenger processing.
With this separated flow management, the intention is to avoid congestion and crossing between inter-island passengers and those disembarked from abroad, as well as those who have tested against those who have not yet done so.
All the infrastructures created are numbered to facilitate the movement and guidance of passengers and have specific areas for priority situations.
This is one of the measures that allows for greater efficiency in the service provided, receiving passengers with a welcome message.
In this context, the support of the employees of the Regional Directorate for Tourism is highlighted in guiding passengers throughout the process, in addition to the usual reception and welcome to our visitors.
Communique from the Regional Government.
The Government of the Azores, in an extraordinary meeting of the Government Council held on September 14, by videoconference, decided:

  1. Determine, in terms of readiness and response, within the scope of the Legal Regime of the Civil Protection System of the Autonomous Region of the Azores:

a) The extension of the declaration of the situation of public calamity on the islands of Santa Maria, São Miguel, Terceira, Pico and Faial until midnight on 1st of October.
b) The extension of the declaration of the alert situation in the islands of Graciosa, São Jorge, Flores and Corvo until midnight on 1 October.
2. To determine that, after the reopening of the national maritime space to cruise ships and yachts from international ports, the normalization of the docking of these ships in the ports and marinas of the archipelago should be promoted, and provided that the respective passengers are tested on arrival, unless the Regional Health Authority dismisses it, taking into account the non-stop travel time and the absence of symptoms.
The measures provided for in this Resolution can be reversed or cancelled at any time, taking into account the evolution of the situation of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Region.
The Regional Health Authority has reported that, from 3840 tests carried out in the two reference laboratories in the Region since the 12th of September, five positive cases of COVID-19 on the island of São Miguel, Terceira and Pico, have been diagnosed.
All the cases have been detected at the airports during the required screening procedure or on the follow-up test carried out on all arrivals to the region on the 6th day of the stay. They arrived from North America, Europe and Portugal.
There have been two recoveries in the region.
So far, 257 cases of infection by the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19 disease, have been detected in the Region, with 46 active positive cases currently, of which 35 on the island of São Miguel, eight on Terceira Island, two on Pico Island and one on Graciosa Island.

Situation Report Azores 11th September – 12th September 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
It has been reported today that the region has been promised almost two times the amount of community funds, compared to the last cycle of assistance for the Azores. The money is awarded as a part of the European Cohesion Policy and the European Recovery Plan. The amount being given for the next cycle is 2,394.9 to be used between 2021 and 2027.
The Regional Health Authority has reported that, from 4201 tests carried out in the two reference laboratories in the Region since the 9th of September, eight positive cases of COVID-19 on the island of São Miguel and Graciosa, have been diagnosed.
All the cases have been detected at the airports during the required screening procedure or on the follow-up test carried out on all arrivals to the region on the 6th day of the stay. They arrived from North America, Europe and Portugal.
There has been one recovery in the region.
So far, 252 cases of infection with the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19 disease, have been detected in the Region, with 44 currently active positive cases, of which 36 on the island of São Miguel, six on Terceira Island, one on Pico Island and one on Graciosa Island.

Situation Report Azores 8th September – 9th September 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
The Regional Secretary of Health said today at the Legislative Assembly, in Horta, that the screening tests carried out on the Continent and in the Autonomous Region of Madeira have prevented 53 positive passengers travelling to the Azores.
Teresa Machado Luciano, who was speaking at a debate on the Regional Health Service, said that testing has been the cornerstone of the region’s strategy for prevention and containment of COVID-19, with more than 115 thousand tests having been carried out in the laboratories of the region and 30 thousand tests authorised at private laboratories.
Our ratio stands at 600 tests per thousand residents, almost twice the Autonomous Region of Madeira and close to three times that of mainland Portugal.
She also said that, despite intense demand in global markets, the acquisition and maintenance of reserves of personal protective equipment was guaranteed, to safeguard professionals and users for at least eight months.
“We are better prepared, not only technically, but also in medical equipment, individual protection and facilities”. There are 80 ventilators and 26 rooms of negative pressure in the Region, 13 of which are at Hospital in Terceira, 10 at the Hospital do Divino Espírito Santo, Ponta Delgada, and three at the Hospital da Horta.
The Regional Secretariat is working, together with the Directorate-General for Health, to increase coverage for the vaccinations against influenza, as the flu season is nearly here.
The Regional Health Authority has reported that, from 4772 tests carried out in the two reference laboratories in the Region since the 5th of September, 16 positive cases of COVID-19 on the island of São Miguel and Terceira, have been diagnosed.
All the cases have been detected at the airports during the required screening procedure or on the follow-up test carried out on all arrivals to the region on the 6th day of the stay. They arrived from North America, Europe and Portugal.
There have been three cases of recovery in the region.
So far, 244 cases of infection by the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19, have been detected in the Region, with 39 active positive cases currently, of which 32 on the island of São Miguel, six on Terceira Island and one on Pico Island.
https://destinoseguro.azores.gov.pt/

Situation Report Azores 4th September – 5th September 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
The Vice-President of the Government has announced that the Azorean Executive has approved 706 applications for the Employment Maintenance Program, this is aimed at ensuring that Azorean companies that have benefitted from national credit lines have additional support to repay these loans, substantially reducing charges and reinforcing liquidity.
“Under this measure made available by the Regional Government, which covers all sectors of activity in the regional economy and almost all Azorean companies, 706 applications have already been approved, which contributes to ensuring the maintenance of 8,567 jobs,” said Sérgio Ávila.
The ‘Employment Maintenance Programme’, injects much needed money into the Azorean economy.
The Regional Health Authority has reported that, from 4226 tests carried out in the two reference laboratories in the Region since the 2ndof September, four positive cases of COVID-19 on the island of São Miguel, Terceira and Graciosa, have been diagnosed.
All the cases have been detected at the airports during the required screening procedure or on the follow-up test carried out on all arrivals to the region on the 6th day of the stay. They arrived from North America, Europe and Portugal.
The positive case diagnosed on the island of Graciosa, is a man who is, 31 years old, he had already been diagnosed with COVID-19 during his stay on the continent, and was said to be recovered by his local health authorities, he currently has remnants of the virus and, therefore, not contagious.
228 cases of infection by the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19 disease, have been detected in the Region, and there are currently 29 active positive cases, 25 on the island of São Miguel, three on Terceira island and one on Pico island.

Azores
Situation Report Azores 1st September – 2nd September 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
The Government of the Azores will extend the situation of ‘Public Calamity’ on the islands of Santa Maria, São Miguel, Terceira, Pico and Faial, as well as extend the ‘alert’ situation on the islands Graciosa, São Jorge, Flores and Corvo, until September 15th.
The decision was taken at an extraordinary meeting of the Government Council held on August 31st, 2020, by videoconference and is due to the fact that in the Azores, as of August 31st, there were a total of 29 positive cases active on the islands of São Miguel, Terceira and Pico.
A ‘Safety at Home’ booklet written in conjunction with the Regional Government and Proteção Civil E Bombeiros Açores (srpcba) has been delivered to households in the region, it can be downloaded here: https://www.prociv.azores.gov.pt/fotos/documentos/1594742736.pdf
The Regional Health Authority has reported that, from 4748 tests carried out in the two reference laboratories in the Region since the 29th of August, seven positive cases of COVID-19 on the island of São Miguel have been diagnosed.
All the cases have been detected at the airports during the required screening procedure or on the follow-up test carried out on all arrivals to the region on the 6th day of the stay. They arrived from North America, Europe and Portugal. Two positive cases have flown home despite the risk to others on the flight.
So far, 217 cases of infection by the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which causes COVID-19 disease, have been detected in the Region, and there are currently 27 active positive cases, of which 24 are on the island of São Miguel, two on Terceira Island and one on Pico Island.

Madeira Report for Wednesday 30th of September

There were 10 new Covid-19 cases in Madeira since the previous Madeira Situation Report. On Saturday, there were 3 new Covid-19 cases (from 1 passenger who had arrived from the UK, 1 passenger who had arrived from France and 1 case of
local transmission) and 4 recoveries. On Sunday, there was 1 new Covid-19 case, from a passenger who had arrived from the Lisbon and Tagus Valley region. On Monday, there were 6 new Covid-19 cases (from 4 passengers who had arrived from
Poland and 2 passengers who had arrived from France) and 1 recovery. And there were no new Covid-19 cases on Tuesday.

A patient at Hospital Privado da Madeira had been
preparing for hospitalisation when he tested positive for Covid-19. It is standard procedure for patients to be tested for Covid-19 before hospitalisation. On Friday, the patient was transferred, by a special Covid-19 ambulance, to the
Covid-19 unit at Hospital Dr. Nélio Mendonça.

There are currently 60 active cases, of which 50 were imported and identified through screening at Funchal Airport, while the other 10 were a result of a local transmission. So far, there have been 218 cases and 158 recoveries.
Madeira remains the only Portuguese district and autonomous region without any deaths from Covid-19.

There are currently 28 patients in isolation at a dedicated hotel, 31 patients in isolation at their own accommodation and 1 patient is in the Covid-19 unit at Hospital Dr. Nélio Mendonça.

There are currently 8 suspected cases under epidemiological investigation and analysis. As of Tuesday, there had been 1,678 suspected cases, of which 1,460 were not confirmed.

There are 6,968 people under active monitoring and 7,708 people
in self-monitoring. Monitoring is being carried out by the health authorities of the Region’s Municipalities through the ‘MadeiraSafetoDiscover’ app.

As for Covid-19 testing on passengers who had arrived at Funchal and Porto Santo airports, 69,018 samples had been collected until Tuesday (at 17h30). Overall, as of Monday, 113,92 samples had been processed in the Autonomous Region of
Madeira.

The SRS 24 helpline (Regional Health Service – 800 24 24 20) received 153 calls from Friday to Tuesday. Overall, the total number of calls made to this helpline is 12,998.

The Covid-19 mental health helpline (219 212 399 – available every day from 9h00 to 21h00) that was set up to provide emotional and mental support to Madeira residents has received 2,216 calls, with 182 people being monitored.


https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/105312/Covid-19_Madeira_regista_tres_novos_casos_Mais_quatro_pessoas_recuperadas


https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/105313/Doente_internado_no_Covid-19__foi_transferido_do_Hospital_Privado_da_Madeira


https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/105386/Covid-19_Novo_caso_positivo_na_Madeira_aumenta_infecoes_ativas_para_55

https://funchalnoticias.net/2020/09/28/6-novos-casos-de-covid-19-na-madeira/

https://funchalnoticias.net/2020/09/29/ram-sem-novos-casos-activos-mas-com-8-casos-suspeitos-de-covid-19/

Christmas and New Year festivities being carefully planned

Eduardo Jesus, the Madeira Tourism Secretary, said the Madeira Regional Government is carefully planning the Christmas and New Year festivities. A tender for the provision of fireworks has been opened.. And the regional health
authorities have a crucial role to play in the planning process. The aim is for the festivities to take place while ensuring full compliance with all the safety measures required by the Covid-19 pandemic.


https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/105353/Eduardo_Jesus_garante_que_Governo_esta_a_preparar_minuciosamente_as_festas_de_Natal_e_fim_de_ano

Madeira to lobby for an EU-wide policy on passenger screening at the place of departure

The Madeira Regional Government will lobby the European Union to set an EU-wide policy so that Covid-19 screening on passengers takes place at the place of departure. Eduardo Jesus, the Madeira Tourism Secretary, stated this while also
highlighting the passenger screening policy adopted in Madeira. He
argued that the introduction of such a policy would be “extraordinarily important” for Madeira and for its recovery. He added that the Madeira Regional Government will continue to do everything it can to minimise the consequences of the
absence of such a policy.

Once again, he said that Madeira has an advantage in comparison to other destinations, particularly rival destinations, and is best prepared to keep people’s trust. He also highlighted the big battle Madeira had in showing several
countries that the regional epidemiological situation is “completely different” from the mainland, with the absence of any deaths from Covid-19. He reminded the effort Madeira made in proving this to the UK, which led to the biggest
British operator to double its frequencies to the region.


https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/105370/Covid-19_Madeira_insiste_que_despistagem_nas_viagens_deve_ser_feita_na_origem

Water supply disruption

There will be a water supply disruption on the 1st and 6th of October, from 09h00 until 15h00, in the parish of Câmara de Lobos. The following areas will be affected: Espírito Santo and Torre. The disruption will be due to scheduled
work to reduce water leaks on the water supply chain in the Municipality of Câmara de Lobos.

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/105580/Havera_interrupcao_do_abastecimento_de_agua_em_Camara_de_Lobos

Power cut

Empresa de Electricidade da Madeira (Madeira power supplier) announced there will be power cuts in the following days, due to planned work on the electricity supply network. These works must not be postponed. The following areas will be
affected:

CÂMARA DE LOBOS

1st October – 14h00 to 16h00

– Sítio das Fajãs do Cabo Girão (including Cable car)

– Estrada de Santa Clara (between 265 and 349)

– Estrada de Santa Clara (between 288 and 338)

– Caminho Velho do Rancho

– Vereda da Areia ao Pico do Rancho

– Edifício Quintinha do Rancho

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 (Serviço de Apoio ao Cliente): 800 221 187.


https://funchalnoticias.net/2020/09/30/publicidade-o-fornecimento-de-energia-sera-interrompido-nos-dias-horas-e-locais-abaixo-indicados-anuncio-73-2020/

Madeira Covid-19 update by Daniel Fernandes

There were 3 new Covid-19 cases in Madeira since the previous Madeira Situation Report. On Wednesday, there were no new Covid-19 cases. On Thursday, there were no new Covid-19 cases for a second consecutive day and there were 3
recoveries. And on Friday, there were 3 new cases (from passengers who had arrived from Lisbon and Tagus Valley, Poland and Spain). All new cases were identified through passenger screening at the Region’s airports.

There are currently 55 active cases, of which 44 were imported and identified through screening at Funchal Airport, while the other 11 were a result of a local transmission chain. So far, there have been 208 cases and 153 recoveries.
Madeira remains the only Portuguese district and autonomous region without any deaths from Covid-19.

There are 28 patients in isolation at a dedicated hotel and 27 patients in isolation at their own accommodation. There is currently 2 suspected cases under epidemiological investigation and analysis. As of Thursday, there had been 1,668
suspected cases, of which 1,460 were not confirmed.

There are 7,463 people under active monitoring and 8,547 people in self-monitoring. Monitoring is being carried out by the health authorities of the Region’s Municipalities through the ‘MadeiraSafetoDiscover’ app.

As for Covid-19 testing on passengers who had arrived at Funchal and Porto Santo airports, 64,985 samples had been collected until Friday (at 16h30). Overall, as of Thursday, 109,333 samples had been processed in the Autonomous Region
of Madeira.

The SRS 24 helpline (Regional Health Service – 800 24 24 20) received 119 calls from Tuesday to Friday. Overall, the total number of calls made to this helpline is 12,845. The Covid-19 mental health helpline (219 212 399 – available
every day from 9h00 to 21h00) that was set up to provide emotional and mental support to Madeira residents has received 2,204 calls, with 182 people being monitored.

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/105001/Madeira_mantem__55_casos_ativos_de_covid-19_

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/105096/Madeira_sem_novos_casos_e_mais_tres_doentes_recuperados_

https://funchalnoticias.net/2020/09/25/3-novos-casos-de-covid-19-numero-total-de-activos-e-agora-de-55/

Warning on fraudulent and fake Covid-19 tests

The Parish of Calheta (Junta de Freguesia da Calheta) used its Facebook page to warn that there are vendors knocking on doors and offering to test residents for Covid-19 for a certain fee. The Parish warned that this a “fraudulent act”
and advised the population to contact the Police (Polícia de Segurança Pública) if they are faced with such a situation. It also asked the population to alert and vigilant.


https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/104970/Covid-19_Junta_de_Freguesia_da_Calheta_denuncia_testes_fraudulentos_de_porta_em_porta

FIA praised Madeira Rally

Jacky Jang, a FIA observer, could not find any negative aspects of the rally event organised by the rally event organised by Club Sports Madeira. The race was considered a success in terms of sport, competition and public health and
reflected the joint work that took place in preparing the event during the Covid-19 pandemic.

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/desporto/ver/105103/FIA_da_nota_positiva_ao_rali_vinho_Madeira_em_tempo_de_pandemia

Free entry at the Whale Museum on Sunday

World Tourism Day will be celebrated on the 27th September and the
Madeira Whale Museum will celebrate it by offering free entry to all visitors. According to the museum, visiting it, learning more about cetaceans while exploring collections that attract both visitors of all ages “is an excellent
family program”. The museum will be open from 10h00 until 18h00. It is advised that the last entry to the museum takes place at 17h00. There will be a limit on the number of visitors allowed at the same time so it is necessary to comply
with all the employees’ recommendations.


https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/104952/Museu_da_Baleia_da_Madeira_oferece_entradas_gratuitas_no_dia_27_de_setembro_

Water supply disruption

There will be a water supply disruption on the 28th of September, from 14h00 to 20h00, due to scheduled work on the water supply network. The disruption will affect the following areas in the Parish of Santo António (Funchal): Caminho
da Azinhaga (until the roundabout at Álamos); Caminho do Salão; Caminho das Bróteas and Rua Antero de Quental.


https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/105150/Segunda-feira_havera_intervencao_na_rede_de_distribuicao_de_agua_do_Caminho_da_Azinhaga

Madeira Situation Report 23rd September by Daniel Fernandes

Covid-19 update

There were 7 new Covid-19 cases in Madeira since the previous Madeira Situation Report. On Saturday, there was 1 new Covid-19 case (from 1 passenger who had arrived from the Lisbon and Tagus Valley region) and 3 recoveries. On Sunday
there was 1 new Covid-19 case (from 1 passenger, aged 20-29, who had arrived from the UK) and 3 recoveries. On Monday, there 3 new Covid-19 cases (from 2 passengers who had arrived from Colombia and 1 passenger who had arrived from the
UK). And on Tuesday, there were 2 new cases (from 2 passengers who had arrived from the UK) and 2 recoveries. All new cases were identified through passenger screening at the Region’s airports.

There are currently 55 active cases, of which 44 were imported and identified through screening at Funchal Airport, while the other 11 were a result of a local transmission chain. So far, there have been 205 cases and 8 recoveries.
Madeira remains the only Portuguese district and autonomous region without any deaths from Covid-19.

There are 26 patients in isolation at a dedicated hotel and 29 patients in
isolation at their own accommodation. The patient who had been in the Covid-19 unit at Dr. Nélio Mendonça Hospital has been discharged from hospital and is now in isolation at a dedicated hotel.

There is currently 1 suspected case under epidemiological investigation and analysis. As of Tuesday, there had been 1,665 suspected cases, of which 1,460 were not confirmed.

There are 7,700 people under active monitoring and 9,133 people in self-monitoring. Monitoring is being carried out by the health authorities of the Region’s Municipalities through the ‘MadeiraSafetoDiscover’ app.

As for Covid-19 testing on passengers who had arrived at Funchal and Porto Santo airports, 63,353 samples had been collected until Tuesday (at 17h00). Overall, as of Monday, 106,689 samples had been processed in the Autonomous Region of
Madeira.

The SRS 24 helpline (Regional Health Service – 800 24 24 20) received 160 calls from Friday to Tuesday. Overall, the total number of calls made to this helpline is 12,726.

The Covid-19 mental health helpline (219 212 399 – available every day from 9h00 to 21h00) that was set up to provide emotional and mental support to Madeira residents has received 2,183 calls, with 182 people being monitored.


https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/104552/Covid-19_ISAUDE_apenas_confirma_um_caso_e_contraria_os_cinco_da_DGS

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/104639/Covid-19_IASAUDE_reporta_um_novo_caso_e_cinco_em_estudo

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/104737/Madeira_regista_hoje_3_novos_casos_de_covid-19


https://funchalnoticias.net/2020/09/22/regiao-regista-mais-dois-casos-positivos-de-covid-19-activos-sao-neste-momento-55/

Paulette tropical storm

Paulette tropical storm is now about 600 Km north-west of Madeira.
Rain fall on Wednesday and on Thursday will not be heavy or a cause for alarm. The weather is likely to be very cloudy today. There will be showers that could be locally intense and often accompanied by thunder, particularly in the
afternoon.

There will also be weak to moderate wind (up to 30 km/h) in the south and stronger wind (up to 40 km/h) in mountain areas. On Thursday, the weather is likely to be very cloudy. There will be showers that could be locally intense and
often accompanied by thunder, particularly until the end of the morning. There will be also be weak to moderate winds (up to 30 km/h) in the south and stronger wind (up to 40 km/h) in mountain areas, which will move to the east from the
middle of the afternoon.


https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/104844/Tempestade_tropical_Paulette_esta_a_condicionar_estado_do_tempo_na_Madeira

Water supply disruption

There will be a water supply disruption on Thursday, due to scheduled work to reduce water leaks on the water supply chain. The disruption will take place from 09h00 to 13h00 and affect the following places in the parish of Estreito de
Câmara de Lobos: Barreiros, Casa Caída, Castelejo, Covão, Fajã das Galinhas, Marinheira and Pomar do Meio.

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/104845/Vai_faltar_agua_em_algumas_zonas_do_Estreito_de_Camara_de_Lobos

Power cut

Empresa de Electricidade da Madeira (Madeira power supplier) announced there will be power cuts in the following days, due to planned work on the electricity supply network. These works must not be postponed. The following areas will be
affected:

ARCO DA CALHETA

25th September – 09h30 to 10h30

26th September – 16h00 to 17h00

27th September – 14h00 to 15h00

– Sítio do Pinheiro

CANHAS

25th September R#8211; 09h30 to 10h30

26th September – 16h00 to 17h00

27th September – 14h00 to 15h00

– Cancela, Malhadinha, Cova Grande, Chope, Eiras, Levada do Poiso, Pomar, Ovo Girão, Vacaria and Parque Empresarial dos Canhas

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 (Serviço de Apoio ao Cliente): 800 221 187.


https://funchalnoticias.net/2020/09/23/publicidade-o-fornecimento-de-energia-sera-interrompido-nos-dias-horas-e-locais-abaixo-indicados-anuncio-72-2020/

Madeira Report 19th September from Daniel Fernandes

Covid-19 update

There were 8 new Covid-19 cases in Madeira since the previous Madeira Situation Report. On Wednesday, there were 3 new Covid-19 cases (from 1 passenger who had arrived from the Lisbon and Tagus Valley region and 2 passengers who had
arrived from the UK) and 2 recoveries. On Thursday there were 2 new Covid-19 cases (from 2 passengers who had arrived from the UK) and 1 recovery. And on Friday, there were 3 new cases (from 2 passengers who had arrived from the UK) and
1 recovery. All new cases were identified through passenger screening at the Region’s airports.

There are currently 56 active cases, of which 44 were imported and identified through screening at Funchal Airport, while the other 12 were a result of a local transmission chain. So far, there have been 198 cases and 142 recoveries.
Madeira remains the only Portuguese district and autonomous region without any deaths from Covid-19.

There are 25 patients in isolation at a dedicated hotel, 30 patients in isolation
at their own accommodation and 1 patient is in the Covid-19 unit at Dr. Nélio Mendonça Hospital.

There is currently 1 suspected case under epidemiological investigation and analysis. As of Friday, there had been 1,658 suspected cases, of which 1,460 were not confirmed.

There are 7,492 people under active monitoring and 9,016 people in self-monitoring. Monitoring is being carried out by the health authorities of the Region’s Municipalities through the ‘MadeiraSafetoDiscover’ app.

As for Covid-19 testing on passengers who had arrived at Funchal and Porto Santo airports, 58,816 samples had been collected until Friday (at 16h30). Overall, as of Thursday, 101,718 samples had been processed in the Autonomous Region
of Madeira. In addition to testing in the Autonomous Region of Madeira, 7,483 Covid-19 tests have been carried out in the Portuguese mainland on passengers who had booked flights to Madeira and preferred to be tested before the flight.
These tests were paid for by the Madeira Regional Government and carried out in laboratories it had signed agreements with.

The SRS 24 helpline (Regional Health Service – 800 24 24 20) received 168 calls from Tuesday to Friday. Overall, the total number of calls made to this helpline is 12,566. The Covid-19 mental health helpline (219 212 399 – available
every day from 9h00 to 21h00) that was set up to provide emotional and mental support to Madeira residents has received 2,162 calls, with 182 people being monitored.


https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/104262/Madeira_com_tres_novos_casos_de_covid-19_e_mais_dois_doentes_recuperados

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/104374/Madeira_com_mais_dois_novos_casos__de_covid-19_e_um_recuperado


https://funchalnoticias.net/2020/09/18/madeira-agora-com-56-casos-de-covid-19-mais-um-caso-suspeito-e-um-recuperado/

More than 100,000 Covid-19 tests processed in Madeira

By Thursday, 100,896 samples for Covid-19 PCR
tests had been processed by the SESARAM (Madeira Health Service) laboratory. Samples have been collected in different places, including at Madeira International Airport, where 58,192 samples have been collected. Testing has also been
carried out in school settings, on care home staff and residents, healthcare professionals, fire-service, housekeepers, prison guards, forest guards, among others.

The team at the laboratory is led by Graça Andrade, a doctor who is a specialist in Clinical pathology. She leads a vast multidisciplinary team, with some responsible for processing samples, some responsible for sample collection in the
community and airports and others dealing with management, acquisition of equipment and planning. The SESARAM laboratory started processing Covid-19 tests on the 29th of February.


https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/104448/Mais_de_100_mil_testes_a_covid-19_processados_no_Laboratorio_do_SESARAM___

Navy reinforces naval presence in Madeira

The Portuguese Navy reinforced its naval presence in the Autonomous Region of Madeira on Thursday, with the deployment of NRP Setúbal due to a forecast of high seas on the islands of Madeira and Porto Santo. The Oceanic Patrol Vessel
will be in the region in order to reinforce the capacity of the regional civil protection in dealing with potential calamity situations or natural disasters and to cooperate with other State institutions that deal with maritime issues.
NRP Setúbal is led by Commander Rui Manuel Zambujo Madeira and has a crew of 46 sailors.

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/104292/NRP_Setubal_reforca_dispositivo_naval_na_Regiao

Air Force has carried out more than a dozen agent medical evacuation operations in a single week

A patient who had been hospitalised at the health
centre in Porto Santo was airlifted to Hospital Dr. Nélio Mendonça in Funchal. The patient was flown by an Air Force C-295M, based at an air base in Porto Santo, and was taken to hospital by ambulance after landing at Funchal Airport.

This means that from the 7th and 18th of September, the Portuguese Air Force has carried out more than a dozen urgent medical evacuation operations between the islands. This is a very important mission the Air Force has consistently
carried out throughout the years in support of the civilian population.


https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/104449/Forca_Aerea_Portuguesa_ja_fez_dezena_de_transportes_medicos_urgentes_so_numa_semana_

Fares discount on Madeira-Canary Islands flights

Binter has reduced fares on flights between Madeira and the Canary Islands. The discount will apply to flights booked until the 30th of September, for travel between the 1st of November and the 15th of December. Fares will start at
€70,86 for flights to the Canary Islands on Thursdays and on Sundays. These fares are valid per flight if a return flight is booked but the fare could be different, depending on the route. Checked luggage, seat selection and a
high-quality in-flight service are included in this discount campaign.


https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/104438/Campanha_da_Binter_reduz_precos_nos_voos_entre_a_Madeira_e_Canarias

Ronaldo asks for Madeira to be voted the best insular destination in Europe

Cristiano Ronaldo used social media once
again to promote Madeira. This time, he asked his followers to vote for the “Pearl of the Atlantic” as the Best European Island 2020. He said Madeira is “safe, amazingly beautiful and incredibly stunning” and that “for me Madeira is
already the best island”. He added that he had already voted for Madeira and finished saying: “Let’s go, let’s take this award to my home Island Madeira”.

Information on how to vote is available on the following website:

https://www.worldtravelawards.com/award-europes-leading-island-destination-2020


https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/104398/Ronaldo_apela_ao_voto_na_Madeira_como_melhor_destino_insular_na_Europa__

Madeira Situation report 14th – 16th September by Daniel Fernandes

Covid-19 update

There were 10 new Covid-19 cases in Madeira since the previous Madeira Situation Report. On Saturday, there was 1 new Covid-19 case (from 1 passenger who had arrived from the Lisbon and Tagus Valley region). On Sunday there were 6 new
Covid-19 cases (from 4 passengers who had arrived from the UK, 1 from Germany and 1 from the Czech Republic) and 1 recovery. On Monday, there was 1 new Covid-19 case from 1 passenger who had arrived from France. And on Tuesday, there
were 2 new cases (from 2 passengers who had arrived from the UK). These new cases were identified through screening at the Region’s airports.

There are currently 52 active cases, of which 40
were imported and identified through screening at Funchal Airport, while the other 12 were a result of a local transmission chain. So far, there have been 190 cases and 138 recoveries. Madeira remains the only Portuguese district
and autonomous region without any deaths from Covid-19.

There are 24 patients in isolation at a dedicated hotel, 27 in isolation at their own accommodation and 1 is in the Covid-19 unit at Dr. Nélio Mendonça Hospital.

There are currently 3 suspected cases under epidemiological investigation and analysis. As of Monday, there had been 1,650 suspected cases, of which 1,460 were not confirmed.

There are 7,838 people under active monitoring and 9,392 people in self-monitoring. Monitoring is being carried out by the health authorities of the Region’s Municipalities through the ‘MadeiraSafetoDiscover’ app.

As for Covid-19 testing on passengers who had arrived at Funchal and Porto Santo airports, 56,843 samples had been collected until Tuesday (at 17h30). Overall, as of Monday, 96,934 samples had been processed in the Autonomous Region of
Madeira.

The SRS 24 helpline (Regional Health Service – 800 24 24 20) received 159 calls from Friday to Tuesday. Overall, the total number of calls made to this helpline is 12,398.

The Covid-19 mental health helpline (219 212 399 – available every day from 9h00 to 21h00) that was set up to provide emotional and mental support to Madeira residents has received 2,140 calls, with 181 people being monitored.

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/103856/Mais_um_caso_Covid_na_Regiao

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/103935/Madeira_tem_seis_novos_casos_positivos_de_covid-19


https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/104033/Um_novo_caso_por_covid-19_detetado_nas_ultimas_24_horas_ha_50_casos_ativos_na_Regiao


https://funchalnoticias.net/2020/09/15/ram-tem-mais-dois-casos-activos-de-covid-19-somando-52-e-mais-dois-casos-suspeitos/

Miguel Albuquerque outraged at weekend gathering

Photos showing crowds gathering outside bars at Zona Velha, without wearing face masks, were uploaded to social media during the weekend. Miguel Albuquerque, President of the Madeira Regional Government, said the gathering was shameful.
He said that gatherings of people without wearing face masks had taken place once again and that such situation is dangerous and cannot be repeated. He begged for people to start to assume a pandemic is still ongoing. He reminded that
last week there number of Covid-19 cases in Portugal was as high as it had been in April.


https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/103994/Professores_que_se_desloquem_para_fora_da_Regiao_vao_ser_testados_duas_vezes


https://jornaleconomico.sapo.pt/noticias/miguel-albuquerque-o-que-se-passou-este-fim-de-semana-na-zona-velha-e-uma-vergonha-636528

Teachers who travel outside the Region to be tested twice

Teachers from schools in Madeira who travel outside the Region will be tested twice for Covid-19. The Regional Government took this decision after an increase in the number of Covid-19 cases in mainland Portugal and in several
countries. Miguel Albuquerque, President of the Madeira Regional Government said such teachers will be monitored after a first negative test and returning to school. And for added safety, a second test will be carried out.


https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/103994/Professores_que_se_desloquem_para_fora_da_Regiao_vao_ser_testados_duas_vezes

PSP to pay special attention to safety during the reopening of schools

The PSP (police) will pay special attention to safety during the reopening of schools. Most schools are reopening today. Once again, the PSP will pay special attention to the safety of all public, private and cooperative schools (except
higher education institutions) and their teachers, staff and students. There will be police teams from the Safe School Program (Programa Escola Segura), traffic, Road Safety and Criminal Investigation divisions. These teams will
specifically focus on the following priorities:

– Compliance with Covid-19 legislation and guidelines

– Prevention of crime and actions that could result in fines and safety promotion during home-school-home travel

– Road traffic safety monitoring

In the field of road safety, the PSP will pay special attention to the safety and restraint systems of children’s vehicles (seat belts and car seats), to the main risk factors (speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol and
narcotics, driving without legal authorisation, disrespect of pedestrian crossings and signage near schools). There will also be inspections at commercial establishments, restaurants, bars, cafés and nightclubs to ensure compliance with
Covid-19 legislation and guidelines and with legislation banning the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages to minors in public places.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the PSP will only come into contact with students, teachers and staff in school premises if absolutely required. All PSP agents with comply with the official DGS (Direção Geral da Saúde –
Directorate-General of Health) guidelines for schools, including on the use of face masks, if they are required to meet with the school leadership or asked to intervene within a school’s premises.

The PSP has appealed for all citizens to comply with the Covid-19 legislation and guidelines and has asked families to make children aware of the DGS guidelines.


https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/104072/Regresso_as_aulas_PSP_da_Madeira_vai_dedicar_especial_atencao_a_seguranca_nas_escolas

Honorary Consulate of Germany reopened

Sérgio Sousa has become the new Honorary Consul of the Federal Republic of Germany in the Autonomous Region of Madeira, after a 3 year
period without one. The new consul was born, lived
and studied in Munich. He said the lack of a consul had been an issue when attempting to provide assistance to German tourists and residents in Madeira. He specifically mentioned issues such as deaths, accidents, the need for new
passports and requests for financial help. According to SEF (Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras), 549 German citizens are currently living in Madeira. However, Consul Sérgio Sousa believes the real number is over 1,000. As for German
tourists, it is difficult to know their exact number. He added that at the moment, Madeira is probably the safest Region for tourists to visit. “Martin Ney, the German Ambassador to Portugal, explained sometimes he is unable to provide
emergency assistance, from the Lisbon Embassy, to German citizens in Madeira,.” This is why, he added, honorary-consuls are useful. He also highlighted Sérgio Sousa’s excellent knowledge of the archipelago, which means he will be
Germany’s main representative in Madeira on political, economic, financial, cultural and even military matters.

https://www.dnoticias.pt/2020/9/10/73175-madeira-volta-a-contar-com-um-consul-da-alemanha-tres-anos-depois#

Bus service disruptions likely due to bus drivers trade union meeting

Grupo Horários do Funchal (Madeira bus company) announced there could be some bus services disruptions between 11h30 and 15h30, due to a staff plenary meeting organised by Syndicate Nacional dos Motoristas (a trade union). Horários do
Funchal has pledged to do everything in its power to minimise any disruption to its bus services, has asked passengers for their understanding and has apologised to passengers for any disruption.


https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/104101/Plenario_pode_gerar_constrangimentos_nas_carreiras_da_Horarios_do_Funchal

Power cut

Empresa de Electricidade da Madeira (Madeira power supplier) announced there will be power cuts in the following days, due to planned work on the electricity supply network. The following areas will be affected:

FUNCHAL

17th September – 09h00 to 10h00

– Rua do Til (numbers 58 and 83)

SANTANA

17th September – 09h00 to 12h00

– Caminho da Travessa (partial)

– Rua da Igreja (partial)

– Covas, Parlatório, Teleférico da Rocha do Navio and ETAR

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 (Serviço de Apoio ao Cliente): 800 221 187.


https://funchalnoticias.net/2020/09/12/publicidade-o-fornecimento-de-energia-sera-interrompido-nos-dias-horas-e-locais-abaixo-indicados-anuncio-67-2020/

Madeira Situation report 10th – 12th September by Daniel Fernandes

Covid-19 update

There were 6 new Covid-19 cases in Madeira since the previous Madeira Situation Report. On Wednesday, there were 3 new Covid-19 cases (1 from a passenger who had arrived from the UK and 2 from passengers who had arrived from the Lisbon
and Tagus Valley region) and 6 recoveries. On Thursday there was 1 new Covid-19 case (from a passenger who had arrived from Northern Portugal) and 3 recoveries. And on Friday, there were 2 new Covid-19 cases from 2 passengers who had
arrived from Spain (1 male aged 10-19 and 1 woman aged 20-29) and 1 recovery.

There are currently 43 active cases, of which 30 were imported and identified through screening at Funchal Airport, while the other 13 were a result of a local transmission chain. So far, there have been 180 cases and 137 recoveries.
Madeira remains the only Portuguese district and autonomous region without any deaths from Covid-19.

There are 18 patients in isolation at a dedicated hotel and 25 in isolation at their own accommodation.

There are currently 2 suspected cases under epidemiological investigation and analysis. As of Thursday, there had been 1,640 suspected cases, of which 1,460 were not confirmed.

There are 8,011 people under active monitoring and 9,184 people in self-monitoring. Monitoring is being carried out by the health authorities of the Region’s Municipalities through the ‘MadeiraSafetoDiscover’ app.

As for Covid-19 testing on passengers who had arrived at Funchal and Porto Santo airports, 52,240 samples had been collected until Friday (at 16h30). Overall, as of Monday, 90,699 samples had been processed in the Autonomous Region of
Madeira.

The SRS 24 helpline (Regional Health Service – 800 24 24 20) received 136 calls from Tuesday to Friday. Overall, the total number of calls made to this helpline is 12,239.

The Covid-19 mental health helpline (219 212 399 – available every day from 9h00 to 21h00) that was set up to provide emotional and mental support to Madeira residents has received 2,116 calls, with 181 people being monitored.

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/103761/Dois_novos_casos_de_Covid_sao_jovens_e_foram_importados_de_Espanha

https://funchalnoticias.net/2020/09/11/dois-novos-casos-de-covid-19-um-caso-recuperado-e-dois-suspeitos/

Madeira Regional Government reaction to UK travel corridor updates

Miguel Albuquerque, the President of the Madeira Regional Government, reacted positively to England, Wales and Northern Ireland’s decision to keep Madeira in the travel corridor. Unlike passengers travelling from Madeira to England,
Wales and Northern Ireland, passengers travelling from Madeira to Scotland must be in quarantine for 14 days. Although he expressed regret that Mainland Portugal had been removed from the UK travel corridor, he insisted that it was
entirely fair that Madeira had not been removed from it.

He said Madeira does not have a pandemic and has the Covid-19 situation under control. He explained the Regional Government had made very important contacts with the UK Government and that Chris Sainty, the British Ambassador to
Portugal, had played a very important role in taking into account the specific Covid-19 situation in the Autonomous Region of Madeira.

Indeed, Miguel Albuquerque wrote a letter to Ambassador Chris Sainty, expressing his deep gratitude for Mr. Sainty’s communication and kindness as well as for his commitment in ensuring Madeira’s wishes were safeguarded.

Miguel Albuquerque said if it had not been for Chris Sainty’s deep awareness of the specific reality of Madeira, Madeira would have been very unlikely to have been kept on the travel corridor. He finished by pledging that the Regional
Government will keep its consistent and effective work in ensuring an environment of trust and sanitary safety.

He added that it is “very important” for Madeira to be kept on the UK travel corridor so as to enable tourism to continue its gradual recovery. He said that UK tourists account for an important share of tourists to Madeira and that
there is a gradual recovery of tourism from the UK and Germany.

https://funchalnoticias.net/2020/09/11/albuquerque-agradece-empenho-a-embaixador-do-reino-unido/

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/103657/Albuquerque_E_muito_importante_o_corredor_manter-se_aberto


https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/103716/Covid-19_Madeira_ja_investiu_11ME_no_rastreio_de_viajantes_e_vai_manter_operacao

€11 Million spent on passenger screening

The Madeira Regional Government has already spent about €11 Million on passenger screening operations at the archipelago’s ports and airports. There is no prediction on much it will spend in the future. Miguel Albuquerque, the President
of the Madeira Regional Government, stressed that “there is no other solution until the pandemic is under control or until a vaccine is found”, and this is “the only way to control the pandemic”. He added that “we were pioneers in
controlling entry to and exit from” Madeira, that he thought passenger screening had been “our defence” and “extremely positive for the region”. He finished by saying it will continuing and that there must be money to finance it.

Passenger screening in Madeira started on the 1st of July and upon arrival, passengers must either present evidence of a negative Covid-19 test carried out up to 72 hours before the start of their journey or be tested for Covid-19 test.


https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/103716/Covid-19_Madeira_ja_investiu_11ME_no_rastreio_de_viajantes_e_vai_manter_operacao

Reconstitution of oak tree fall

The reconstitution of the tragic 2017 oak tree fall took place
yesterday. This one of a number of steps that will help Judge Susana Mão de Ferro decide if this case will go to trial. The oak tree fall took place on the 15th of August 2017 and led to the death of 13 people, including a French woman
and a Hungarian woman, and to injuries to 49 people. The oak tree was nearly 200 years old.

https://www.cmjornal.pt/portugal/detalhe/tudo-o-que-se-sabe-sobre-as-vitimas-da-tragedia-na-madeira

https://www.dnoticias.pt/2020/9/7/72809-retomada-fase-de-instrucao-do-caso-da-queda-de-arvore-no-funchal

Christmas lights and fireworks confirmed for Christmas season

Miguel Albuquerque, the President of the Madeira Regional Government, confirmed that there will be Christmas lighting and fireworks during the Christmas and New Year season. He also said other Christmas and New Year festivities will be
considered depending on the evolution of the pandemic.


https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/103607/Covid-19_Iluminacoes_e_fogo_sao_unicas_garantias_para_ja_no_que_se_refere_ao_Natal

Water supply disruption

There will be a water supply disruption on Monday, due to scheduled work on the water supply chain to prevent water leaks. The disruption will take place from 13h30 until 18h00 and will affect Conjunto Habitacional da Achada, in the
parish of Porto da Cruz.


https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/103736/Interrupcao_de_abastecimento_de_agua_na_segunda-feira_no_Porto_da_Cruz_

Power cut

Empresa de Electricidade da Madeira (Madeira power supplier) announced there will be power cuts in the following days, due to planned work on the electricity supply network. The following areas will be affected:

MADALENA DO MAR

15th September – 09h00 to 9h15 & 11h50 to 12h00

– Sítio dos Moledos

ARCO DA CALHETA

15th September – 09h00 to 12h00

– Sítio das Florenças; Sítio das Faias; Sítio das Cales e Chada, Loreto and Chã de Cima

CALHETA

15th September – 09h00 to 12h00

– Sítio do Pico Atouguia

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 (Serviço de Apoio ao Cliente): 800 221 187.


https://funchalnoticias.net/2020/09/12/publicidade-o-fornecimento-de-energia-sera-interrompido-nos-dias-horas-e-locais-abaixo-indicados-anuncio-67-2020/

Madeira Report Wednesday 9th September 2020

Covid-19 update

There were 3 new Covid-19 cases in Madeira since the previous Madeira Situation Report. There were no new Covid-19 cases on Saturday and a patient recovered. There were 2 new cases on Sunday, one from a passenger who had arrived from
the United Kingdom and one as a result of local transmission linked to a recently diagnosed patient. There were no new Covid-19 cases on Monday and a patient recovered. And there was 1 new case on Tuesday, from a passenger who had
arrived from the United Kingdom.

There are currently 47 active cases, of which 31 were imported and identified through screening at Funchal Airport, while the other 16 active cases were a result of a local transmission chain. So far, there have been 174 cases
and 127 recoveries.

There are 22 patients in isolation at a dedicated hotel and 25 in isolation at their own accommodation.

There are currently 4 suspected cases under epidemiological
investigation and analysis. One of the suspected cases is from an individual who was transferred from a hotel to Dr. Nélio Mendonça Hospital. As of Tuesday, there had been 1,634 suspected cases, of which 1,460 were not confirmed.

There are 8,278 people under active monitoring and 9,252 people in self-monitoring. Monitoring is being carried out by the health authorities of the Region’s Municipalities through the ‘MadeiraSafetoDiscover’ app.

As for Covid-19 testing on passengers who had arrived at Funchal and Porto Santo airports, 50,218 samples had been collected until Tuesday (at 16h00). Overall, as of Monday, 86,234 samples had been processed in the Autonomous Region of
Madeira.

The SRS 24 helpline (Regional Health Service – 800 24 24 20) received 357 calls from Friday to Tuesday. Overall, the total number of calls made to this helpline is 12,103.

The Covid-19 mental health helpline (219 212 399 – available every day from 9h00 to 21h00) that was set up to provide emotional and mental support to Madeira residents has received 2,087 calls, with 177 people being monitored.


https://funchalnoticias.net/2020/09/08/47-casos-activos-na-ram-hoje-ha-mais-um-caso-importado-e-4-casos-suspeitos/

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/103137/Madeira_sem_casos_novos_por_covid-19_e_mais_um_recuperado

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/103200/Dois_novos_casos_por_covid-19_na_Madeira

Schools reopening

The school year in Madeira is starting in the period between the 7th of September and the 11th of September, with classes staring in nursery schools and year 1 to year 9. Secondary school classes will start in the period between the
14th and the 17th of September. There will be about 6,200 teachers and 42,000 students.

The use of face masks is compulsory for students from Year 1 onwards and teachers and other staff will be tested for Covid-19.

A number of changes were introduced in the Region’s 130 schools in
order to minimise the risk of contagion and to ensure assertive action is taken whenever suspected and confirmed cases are identified. There will be different class timetables and classes will start and end at different times to prevent
gatherings at the same time. Some schools opted for two or three different starting times. The timetable was planned in coordination with public transport companies, which made some changes to their services’ timetable. Students were
equally divided into morning and afternoon timetables. Schools also set up different circulation areas. Some schools were even able to set up different patio areas for certain school years and some will have specific break times for
students of the same year.

The guideline for class sizes on years 1, 5 and 10 is usually 20 students per class, although the maximum size is 23 students per class. In most schools, students from the same class will be having classes at the same classroom and each
student will be assigned their own desk. This will allow schools to quickly identify and isolate specific areas if a suspected or confirmed Covid-19 case is identified. Remote teaching and learning will take place if there is a
confirmed case of Covid-19 in a school or class.

Jorge Carvalho, the Madeira Education Secretary, praised the “fantastic work” carried out by the Region’s schools in planning the new school year and said the Covid-19 pandemic almost forced a revolution in organising daily school life.
He highlighted measures such as testing for teachers and staff, the use of face masks by the entire school community, hand-disinfection and said that other less-visible measures were taken to ensure face-to-face teaching is maintained.
He warned the individual behaviour of students and their relatives outside the school premises will be crucial to avoid contagion and to ensure the measures adopted by schools are successful.


https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/103253/Covid-19_Ano_letivo_arranca_com_uso_obrigatorio_de_mascara_a_partir_do_1_ciclo_na_Madeira


https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/103252/Cerca_de_42000_alunos_e_6200_professores_regressam_as_aulas_a_partir_de_hoje_na_Madeira

Saturday 5th of september

Covid-19 update

There were 9 new Covid-19 cases in Madeira since the previous Madeira Situation Report. There were 4 new Covid-19 cases on Wednesday, three from passengers who had arrived in Madeira and one as a result of the transmission chain in
Porto Santo. There was 1 new case on Thursday, from a passenger who had arrived from the Netherlands. And there were 4 new cases on Friday, one from a passenger who had arrived from Central Portugal and three a result of local
transmission chain linked to an individual from Central Portugal and who had spent a week in the Autonomous Region of Madeira.

There are currently 46 active cases, of which 31 were imported and identified through screening at Funchal Airport, while the other 15 active cases were a result of a local transmission chain. And a patient has recovered. So far, there
have been 171 cases and 125 recoveries.

There are 22 patients in isolation at a dedicated hotel and 24 in isolation at their own accommodation.

There are currently 3 suspected cases under epidemiological investigation and analysis. As of Friday, there had been 1,631 suspected cases, of which 1,460 were not confirmed.

There are 8,253 people under active monitoring and 9,099 people in self-monitoring. Monitoring is being carried out by the health authorities of the Region’s Municipalities through the ‘MadeiraSafetoDiscover’ app.

As for Covid-19 testing on passengers who had arrived at Funchal and Porto Santo airports, 46,387 samples had been collected until Friday (at 17h00). Overall, as of Thursday, 80,282 samples had been processed in the Autonomous Region of
Madeira.

The SRS 24 helpline (Regional Health Service – 800 24 24 20) received 187 calls from Tuesday to Friday. Overall, the total number of calls made to this helpline is 11,746.

The Covid-19 mental health helpline (219 212 399 – available every day from 9h00 to 21h00) that was set up to provide emotional and mental support to Madeira residents has received 2,065 calls, with 175 people being monitored.

https://funchalnoticias.net/2020/09/04/ram-com-mais-4-casos-de-covid-19-ha-ainda-mais-um-caso-suspeito/

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/102799/Madeira_regista_mais_quatro_casos_por_covid-19


https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/102918/Covid-19_Madeira_registou_mais_um_caso_positivo_nas_ultimas_24_horas

Contingency plan activated after Funchal Municipality worker tested positive for Covid-19

The Municipality of Funchal informed that one of its workers tested positive for Covid-19 after his return from holiday. He did not have any symptoms, had returned from holiday on the 29th of August and had returned to work on Monday.
On Tuesday, he went into isolation in his residence after being informed that a person he had holidayed with had tested positive for Covid-19. He contacted the health authorities and tested positive on Thursday. He is currently
asymptomatic. The Municipality of Funchal activated its internal contingency plan and has been helping to identify all people he had come into contact with. The office where the patient works was thoroughly disinfected.


https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/102991/Funcionario_da_Camara_do_Funchal_com_teste_positivo_a_covid-19_ativa_Plano_de_Contingenci

GNR officers tested negative for Covid-19

All 32 GNR police officers tested negative for Covid-19. They were tested after a colleague tested positive for Covid-19 on the 29th of August. The Madeira Territorial Command of the GNR announced the GNR premises will be thoroughly
disinfected. It also assured that its mission and operations had not been compromised as a result of this situation.


https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/102757/Covid-19_Trinta_e_dois_militares_da_GNR_na_Madeira_com_teste_negativo_apos_contacto_com_caso_ativo

Ventilators donated to Funchal hospital

Grupo Pestana delivered 5 ventilators to Hospital Dr. Nélio Mendonça. The delivery ceremony took place on Friday morning and was attended by Miguel Albuquerque (President of the Madeira Regional Government) and Dionísio Pestana
(President of Grupo Pestana). This was the first delivery of a total of 20 ventilators that Grupo Pestana will donate. Miguel Albuquerque expressed his gratitude for the donation that is worth €420,000. Dionísio Pestana explained he had
been so shocked with the Covid-19 mortality rate, particularly in Italy, that he contacted Miguel Albuquerque in March so as to learn what the Region’s healthcare system required. He was told there was a need for more ventilators.
Miguel Albuquerque also thanked Cristiano Ronaldo for having donated ventilators to the same hospital.


https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/102981/Grupo_Pestana_entregou_hoje_cinco_dos_20_ventiladores_doados_ao_hospital_do_Funchal

German Honorary Consulate to reopen

The Honorary Consulate of Germany in Madeira will reopen. It had not had an office since 2017. The new office will be located at Edifício Concordia, in Amparo. Sérgio Filipe Correia Sousa will be the Honorary Consul of the Federal
Republic of Germany in the the Autonomous Region of Madeira. He will succeed Ricardo Dumont dos Santos, who had been in office for two decades. The swearing-in ceremony will take place on Thursday, at 18h30, at Forte de São Tiago.
Martin Ney, the German Ambassador, will attend the ceremony.

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/102840/Consulado_da_Alemanha_reabre_na_Madeira

Madeira situation report from Daniel Fernandes, September 2nd 2020

Covid-19 update

There were 4 new Covid-19 cases in Madeira since the previous Madeira Situation Report. There were no new cases on Saturday and on Sunday. There were 3 new Covid-19 cases on Monday, one from a passenger who had arrived from the Lisbon
and Tagus Valley Region and two from passengers who had arrived from South Africa. There was 1 new case on Tuesday, from a passenger who had arrived from Italy.

As for the Porto Santo transmission chain, the epidemiological
investigation meant 21 people had to go into isolation, with 3 of them testing positive. The remaining 18 people remain in isolation because they could still test positive in the following days.

There are currently 44 active cases, of which 33 were imported and identified through screening at Funchal Airport, while the other 11 active cases were a result of a local transmission chain. So far, there have been 162 cases and 118
recoveries.

There are 22 patients in isolation at a dedicated hotel and 22 in isolation at their own accommodation.

There are currently 5 suspected cases under an epidemiological investigation and analysis. As of Tuesday, there had been 1,621 suspected cases, of which 1,459 were not confirmed.

There are 7,824 people under active monitoring and 9,290 people in self-monitoring. Monitoring is being carried out by the health authorities of the Region’s Municipalities through the ‘MadeiraSafetoDiscover’ app.

As for Covid-19 testing on passengers who had arrived at Funchal and Porto Santo airports, 44,426 samples had been collected until Tuesday (at 18h00). Overall, as of Monday, 77,163 samples had been processed in the Autonomous Region of
Madeira.

The SRS 24 helpline (Regional Health Service – 800 24 24 20) received 201 calls from Friday to Tuesday. Overall, the total number of calls made to this helpline is 11,746.

The Covid-19 mental health helpline (219 212 399 – available every day from 9h00 to 21h00) that was set up to provide emotional and mental support to Madeira residents has received 2,036 calls, with 174 people being monitored.


https://funchalnoticias.net/2020/09/01/ram-tem-mais-um-caso-activo-de-covid-19-proveniente-de-italia-ha-mais-5-casos-suspeitos/

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/102539/Covid-19_Madeira_regista_segundo_dia_consecutivo_sem_novos_casos

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/102619/Tres_novos_casos_de_covid-19_na_Regiao


https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/102558/Amiga_de_Jorge_Gabriel_coloca_21_pessoas_em_isolamento_no_Porto_Santo_

Madeira to intensify contacts to prevent the end of the UK travel corridor to Madeira

Bookings from the English market increased by 64% in a week, after Portugal was added to the UK travel corridor.

However, after a national increase in Covid-19 cases, there are now fears that Portugal will be removed from the UK travel corridor later in the week, which would mean travellers returning to UK from Portugal would have to go into
quarantine.

These fears led the Madeira Regional Government to send letters to the Portuguese and British Governments, to the UK Ambassador to Portugal and to the Portugal Ambassador to the UK, explaining that the epidemiological situation in
Madeira is different from that in the rest of the country. According to Eduardo Jesus, the Madeira Tourism Secretary, the aim is for regional distinctions to be made so that Madeira is not unfairly punished once again. Indeed, he
reminded that under the European Commission’s guidelines, countries must provide regional data about the Covid-19 pandemic.


https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/102622/Mercado_ingles_cresce_64_na_Madeira_uma_semana_apos_inclusao_no_corredor_aereo

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/102581/Madeira_reforca_comunicacao_para_manter_turistas_do_Reino_Unido

30 Covid-19 tests carried out after GNR police officer tested positive

A GNR police officer tested positive for Covid-19. As a result, 30 police officers from the Madeira Territorial Command of the GNR, who had been in close contact with the infected police officer, were tested for Covid-19 and are now
awaiting for the test results.


https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/102690/Covid-19_Militar_da_GNR_da_Madeira_infetado_motiva_realizacao_de_30_testes_a_contactos_proximos

Mandatory Covid-19 testing for teachers and school staff

From today, all teachers and school staff from Madeira’s primary
schools (1º Ciclo) will be tested for Covid-19. And from the 4th of September, all teachers and school staff from Year 5 to Year 9 schools (2º Ciclo and 3º Ciclo) will tested for Covid-19.

All teachers and school staff who had travelled to the Region or who had returned and carried out a negative Covid-19 test must be tested once again, between 5 and 7 days after the first test. Teachers and school staff in this situation
must inform their school leadership so that a new test can be scheduled.

All testing will be carried out at Escola dos 2.º e 3.º Ciclos Dr. Horácio Bento de Gouveia, just as it happened when kindergartens and nursery schools reopened in May.

All students from schools in the Region will receive 2 reusable face masks, for use in accordance with the health authorities guidelines, and information regarding the new guidelines and contingency plans for their schools. The face
masks are produced in compliance with the health authorities guidelines.


https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/102631/Covid_-_19_Governo_manda_testar_docentes_e_funcionarios_das_escolas_da_Regiao_ja_a_partir_do_dia_2

Delay to the return of cruise ships

Miguel Albuquerque, the President of the Madeira Regional Government,
said cruise ships will not be returning to Madeira on the 15th of September, as originally scheduled. He explained this is due to cancellations that followed an increase in Covid-19 cases throughout the world and to cruise companies
that are still not confident with the idea of reopening cruise tours. He added that there is still no idea when cruise ships will be returning because cruise companies are unable to make decisions due to the uncontrolled nature of the
pandemic in the whole of Europe and in the whole world.

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/102725/Regresso_dos_cruzeiros_a_Regiao_sem_data_definida_

Madeira must not shut its borders again

Miguel Albuquerque, the President of the Madeira Regional Government, said Madeira must not shut its borders again, even though its reopening is a calculated risk. He expressed his satisfaction with the success of the testing and
monitoring systems. However, he also said there had been worrying situations such as the start of a transmission chain in Porto Santo. As a result, he stressed once again the importance for people to comply with the guidelines. He
appealed for people to wear face masks, not to be tempted into keeping too short a distance from other people, to follow the hygiene rules and not to get into gatherings. He reinforced the appeal by describing a bad and risky situation
that took place in the last weekend, in which there were too many people drinking poncha (a traditional Madeira alcoholic drink) while not maintaining social distancing.

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/102694/Albuquerque_Madeira_nao_pode_voltar_a_fechar_apesar_dos_riscos

Free entry on Porto Moniz natural swimming pools

In September, the Municipality of Porto Moniz is providing free entry to
the municipality’s natural swimming pools under the “Porto Moniz Revitaliza + Voucher Card” scheme. The scheme is aimed at visitors who eat in the municipality’s restaurants or who stay in accommodation in the municipality. Customers
will receive 1 voucher for each €15 spending in a municipality restaurant. For example, a family who spent €45 in a restaurant will receive 3 vouchers for free entry in the natural swimming pools. Customers who stay in accommodation in
the municipality, including local accommodation, will receive 1 voucher per person, no matter how much it cost.

Vouchers can be collected daily, from 10h00 to 18h00, in the customer office (balcão de atendimento) at Espaço Multiusos do Porto Moniz. Receipts proving consumption/stay must be presented so that they can be converted into vouchers.

https://www.facebook.com/portomoniz.pt/photos/a.470543329733051/3268212736632749/?type=3&theater

Water supply disruption

There will be a water supply disruption on Thursday, from 09h00 to 13h00, in the parish of Tabua. The disruption will affect the following areas: Candelária, Lugar da Serra, Lugares, Praia, Ribeira, Terça and Zimbreiros.

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/102735/Interrupcao_de_abastecimento_de_agua_em_algumas_zonas_na_Tabua

Algarve Situation Report Wednesday 26th August 2020

There are five new cases of Covid-19 in the Algarve, the Directorate-General for Health (DGS) has just revealed in its epidemiological bulletin this Tuesday, August 25th.

In accumulated terms since the beginning of the pandemic, there are now 1039 total cases in the Algarve region.

In Alentejo, where there were no new cases yesterday, there are now 11 more infected with the new coronavirus, bringing the cumulative total to 898.

An illegal party on beach at Monte Gordo broken up

An illegal party with about 40 people on a beach support in Monte Gordo, municipality of Vila Real de Santo António, forced, on Friday, the Maritime Police to disperse the participants.

The authorities received a complaint that led the Maritime Police to send two agents to the scene.

According to the National Maritime Authority (AMN), the authorities identified the person responsible for the party, “having made the respective report of news” and ended the event.

Covid.19: Testing capacity in the Algarve will exceed 400% – Government

Portugal will have a broad and reinforced diagnostic network to detect the possible reappearance of covid-19 and other viruses, in order to respond in a “swift and integrated” way to new outbreaks, the government said yesterday.

According to the Secretary of State for Health, António Lacerda Sales, who announced the plan at a press conference in Lisbon, the investment is 8.4 million euros.

“Portugal is today one of the countries that tests most per hundred thousand inhabitants in Europe”, said the minister during the usual press conference to update the information related to covid-19.

The objective of expanding laboratory capacity is to double the testing capacity to about 22,000 tests per day, he said, referring that currently 10,000 tests are carried out per day at the National Health Service (SNS).

“In Alentejo and the Algarve, for example, the forecast is for an increase in testing capacity of more than 400%”, he stressed.

Monchique’s example to guarantee animal welfare is «very plural»

The minister threw the dogs pastries, gave the alpacas carrots to eat, and visited the cat houses installed in old washing machines. In between, he also attended the dog vaccination campaign in Alferce, met the volunteers who take care of the abandoned animals, as well as the new works by sculptor and ceramists Sylvain Bongard, in Largo dos Chorões, and also discovered the ongoing projects (or planned) promoted by the Câmara de Monchique to guarantee the welfare of pets in this municipality.

In the end, João Pedro Matos Fernandes, Minister of Environment and Climate Action, made a “very positive assessment” of his visit, saying “From the part that touches me, I learned a lot”.

It was just after 10 am, when João Pedro Matos Fernandes, accompanied by Rui André, Mayor of Monchique, went to see the vaccination of dogs, taking place in the warehouse of the Junta de Freguesia de Alferce.

Ana Silva, the municipal veterinarian, explained that this was the “first action taken this year outside Monchique”. “Here, the Junta de Freguesia guaranteed us all the conditions, such as a bathroom, alcohol-gel, and space for people to wait”.

Outside, in the shade of the trees, many dogs with their owners waited for their turn, not always with much patience. “Some of these are guard dogs, they are not used to seeing a lot of people”, explained a man who tried to keep a huge dog calm and quiet.

Up to that time, 40 animals had already been treated, who received the rabies vaccine, chip (if they didn’t already have it) and deworming.

“Thank you for your passion, for your work on behalf of animals and the community”, said Minister Matos Fernandes, to the municipal veterinarian and to the young veterinary nurse Zélia Carrilho, who attended and to everyone.

Situation Report Azores 28th August – 29th August 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
The Government of the Azores announced on Thursday 27th Aug. new measures to support companies in tourism sector which have been severely affected by the pandemic, this will include help to support the ‘on-going’ operational costs of companies. One of the announced supports is the creation of a programme to support the operating costs of companies of up to 75% non-refundable support. This will be awarded for eligible expenses, for example, water and energy, rents and rentals, communications, insurance, surveillance and security.
“The maximum amount per company will be 100 thousand euros and, in the case of a group of companies, the maximum amount is fixed at half a million euros”, announced Vasco Cordeiro, adding that 10 million euros are planned to finance this program. The time frame for this initiative is July 1st, 2020 and March 31st, 2021.
The Regional Health Authority has reported that, from 3994 tests carried out in the two reference laboratories in the Region since the 25th of August, eight positive cases of COVID-19 on the island of São Miguel and Terceira have been diagnosed. There have also been three recoveries. All the cases have been detected at the airports during the required screening procedure or on the follow-up test carried out on all arrivals to the region on the 6th day of the stay.
So far, 217 cases of infection by the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which causes COVID-19 disease, have been detected in the Region, and there are currently 27 active positive cases, of which 24 are on the island of São Miguel, two on Terceira Island and one on Pico Island.

Situation Report Azores 25th August – 26th August 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
The Regional Command of the PSP has said that over the last few days 3 men have been arrested for Domestic Violence. On August 23rd, a 43-year-old man was arrested for the alleged crime of domestic violence in Angra do Heroísmo, on Terceira island. On the same day, a 43-year-old man was arrested for the same offence at the police station in the municipality of Ribeira Grande. At Lagoa police station, São Miguel, a 61-year-old man was also arrested for the crime of domestic violence.
On August 21st, at the criminal investigation station, a 41-year-old man, accused of domestic violence, was kept in preventive detention after being interviewed.
According to the Annual Internal Security Report (RASI), in 2019, the Azores recorded the highest incidence rate of domestic violence per thousand inhabitants in the country (4.1), followed by the Autonomous Region of Madeira (3.3).
The lowest rate of domestic violence was registered in Beja (2.2), while the national average was 2.8, according to RASI data.
In 2019, according to the report of the Portuguese Victim Support Association (APAV), about 42% of homicides in Portugal were registered in the context of domestic violence.
The number of cases of domestic violence during confinement imposed by the covid-19 pandemic has increased by up to 60%, warned the European department of the World Health Organization in May.

The Azorean airline Azores Airlines, belonging to the SATA group, will resume direct connections between Terceira Island and the city of Porto, from September 16th, the company revealed today.
The Regional Health Authority has reported that, from 5,441 tests carried out in the two reference laboratories in the Region since the 21st of August, seven positive cases of COVID-19 on the island of São Miguel have been diagnosed. There has also been one recovery.
All the cases have been detected at the airport during the required screening procedure or on the follow-up test carried out on all arrivals to the region on the 6th day of the stay.
So far, 209 cases of infection by the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which causes COVID-19 disease, have been detected in the Region, and there are currently 27 active positive cases, of which 24 are on the island of São Miguel, two on Terceira Island and one on Pico Island.

Situation Report Azores 21st August – 22nd August 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
The British Government has announced that Portugal and the Autonomous regions of The Azores and Madeira will be added to the list of travel corridors, following the weekly review of data carried out by the Common Biosafety Centre. The measure takes effect from 04:00 on Saturday, so passengers traveling from Portugal to the UK will not need to stay in quarantine for two weeks at home, but those arriving before this date will have to comply in the same the 14 days of self-isolation.
Everyone traveling from abroad to the UK will continue to be required to complete a form with personal information and contact details for tracking purposes. Here is a useful document for all travellers going to the Azores.
https://destinoseguro.azores.gov.pt/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Recommendations-for-a-safe-trip-to-the-Azores_compressed.pdf
There is more information here https://covid19.azores.gov.pt/?page_id=6304
Over the las few days the Regional Health Authority has reported that, from 3,442 tests carried out in the two reference laboratories in the Region recently, six positive cases of COVID-19 were diagnosed, five on the island of São Miguel and one on the island of Pico.
Five of the cases were diagnosed as a part of the screening tests carried out on passengers from abroad on arrival and after the sixth day of stay in the Region, they are two men, 32 and 47 years old, and three women, aged between 21 and 43 years old. The other diagnosed person, a man who is 39 years old, has been in close contact with a high risk, positive case, part of the chain of transmission registered on the island of São Miguel.
There has been another recovery, a 46-year-old man, bringing to 151 the number of recovered cases from COVID-19 disease. 202 cases of infection by the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which causes COVID-19 disease, have been detected in the Region, with 23 active positive cases currently, of which 20 on the island of São Miguel, two on Terceira Island and one on Pico Island.

Situation Report Azores 16th August – 19th August 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
The Regional Health Authority has reported that, as a result of 1,203 tests carried out in the two reference laboratories in the Region in the last 24 hours, a positive case of COVID-19 on Terceira Island has been diagnosed and there have been four recoveries.
The diagnosed case is a 51-year-old man, a non-resident, who arrived in the Autonomous Region of the Azores on August 17th by air from the continent, he obtained a positive result when he was tested on arrival. He is in a stable clinical condition and the procedures defined for confirmed cases, testing and surveillance of close contacts have already been taken care of by the Municipal Health Delegation.
The four recoveries are three men aged between 30 and 56 years old, and one woman, aged 25 years old, all located on the island of São Miguel, the number of recovered cases are now 150.
Thus, so far, 196 cases of infection with the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19 disease, have been detected in the Region, and there are currently 19 active positive cases, of which 17 on the island of São Miguel and two on Terceira island.

Situation Report Azores 13th August – 15th August 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
The Portuguese Navy and the Ponta Delgada Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC Delgada), has provided assistance to a UK flag, sailing vessel “Della Myra”. The yacht is being crewed by an 80 year-old British man. It was sailing about 178 nautical miles (about 330 kilometres) west of the island of Faial, with food shortages, engine problems and damaged sail. The oceanic patrol vessel Sines was immediately sent out to provide support to the sailboat, this included logistical assistance and support for engine repair.
After the Navy ship arrived to where the yacht was, a technical team boarded the sailboat to supply foodstuffs and repair the propulsion damage.
The Regional Health Authority has reported that the 1,316 tests carried out in the two reference laboratories in the Region, in the last 24 hours, did not reveal new positive cases of Covid-19, but there has been a recovery. The recovered case is a 53-year-old woman, bringing the total recoveries in the Region to 143.
So far, 193 cases of infection by the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which causes Covid-19 disease, have been detected in the Region, and there are currently 25 active positive cases, all on the island of São Miguel.
Situation Report Azores 11th August – 12th August 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
There are 27 active cases of Covid-19 on the island of São Miguel. The most recent cases have occurred due to community transmission in the night spots of the island. The health department is concerned and because of this situation, the Government of the Azores, in an extraordinary meeting of the Government Council held today, by videoconference has determined that for the island of São Miguel, between 00:00 hours on 13 August and 24:00 on September 1, the following:

  1. Closure of drinks and similar establishments, with dance spaces;
  2. Closure, from 10:00 pm, of bars and other beverage establishments, with or without a show, with or without terrace service;
  3. From 22:00 onwards, fuel filling stations can maintain their operation, exclusively for the purpose of selling fuel and supplying vehicles to the public.

In addition to these, and within the framework of a number of other measures already in force, the Government Council decided to extend the public calamity situation until midnight on September 1, the islands of Santa Maria, São Miguel, Terceira, Pico and Faial, as well as the alert situation on the islands Graciosa, São Jorge, Flores and Corvo.
The Regional Health Authority has reported that, as a result of the 2,497 tests carried out in the two reference laboratories in the Region in the last 48 hours, four positive cases of Covid-19 on the island of São Miguel were diagnosed, as well as four recovered cases.
The diagnosed cases are three men aged 32, 33, and 39-years-old. All of them have had close contact with two positive cases diagnosed in the last two days. This is a local transmission chain under investigation in the municipality of Ponta Delgada.
They are all in a stable clinical condition and the procedures defined for confirmed cases, testing and surveillance of close contacts have already been taken care of by the Municipal Health Delegation.
A woman has also been diagnosed positive. She disembarked in the Region from a connection with the mainland. On her required sixth day test, she was positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
The four recovered cases are all men aged between 38 and 54
Thus, so far, 192 cases of infection with the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which causes Covid-19 disease, have been detected in the Region, and there are currently 27 active positive cases, all of them on the island of São Miguel.

Situation Report Azores 9th August – 10th August 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
The President of the Regional Government of the Azores “Vasco Cordeiro” presented his ‘preliminary’ proposal for an ‘Agenda for the Social and Economic Recovery of the Region’ at the weekend. It is a strategic, ‘consultative’ document that includes 250 ‘suggested’ measures for ‘discussion’, primarily aimed at supporting the tourism sector.
The document is wide-ranging and contributions are being welcome from everyone: https://agendarelancamento.azores.gov.pt/
Meanwhile, the Regional Health Authority reported on Saturday 8th Aug that, as a result of 1,404 tests carried out in the two reference laboratories in the Region in the previous 24 hours, six positive cases of COVID-19 on the island of São Miguel were diagnosed.
The diagnosed cases are four men, aged between 13 and 45 years old, and two women, aged 22 and 37 years old, five of whom landed in the Region by air from the mainland on 6th and 7th August, having obtained a positive result for the SARS-CoV-2 virus on arrival.
One of them who arrived on July 6th and obtained negative results in the screening tests then, started showing signs and symptoms of infection. The person contacted the Azores Health Line and was validated as a suspected case and subjected to the collection of more biological samples and respective laboratory analysis, with subsequent positive result. This person had already been infected in his/her country of origin. Documentation was submitted and information that supported its recovery from the infection caused by SARS-CoV-2, so the patient will now be under active surveillance under the coordination of the Municipal Health Delegation.
Covid-19 Situation
On Sunday after 1211 tests were taken three more positive cases have been diagnosed. They relate to a man, who is 45 years old, and two women, 27 and 34 years old, who disembarked in the Region from air connections with the mainland, having performed screening tests prior to boarding and proof of negative results for the SARS-CoV-2 virus was presented upon arrival in the Region.
Following their stay in the Region, new screening tests were carried out after the sixth day, with all three showing a positive result.
All of them are in a stable clinical condition and the procedures defined for confirmed cases, testing and surveillance of close contacts have already been taken care of by the Local Health Delegations
So far, 188 cases of infection by the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which causes COVID-19 disease, have been detected in the Region, and there are currently 27 active positive cases, all of them on the island of São Miguel. The last time the island had this many active cases was around 15th May this year.

Situation Report Azores 7th August – 8th August 2020 – From our colleague in the
The Camera of Ponta Delgada has presented a program called “Animar PDL”, which will cost 200 thousand euros. This is a series of events in hotels, restaurants and on the streets, created to mitigate the effects of the covid-19.
The events started on Thursday and 229 artists are going to perform in 65 different events. Over the next few weeks 18 wandering performers will walk through the streets in the historic centre of Ponta Delgada.
Also planned are 16 live concerts, a sample of live art, three DJs will perform, 15 solo performers will entertain, an open-air cinema, two children’s shows and a concert of viola da terra.
The Regional Health Authority has reported that the 1,548 tests carried out in the two reference laboratories in the Region, in the last 24 hours, did not reveal new positive cases of COVID-19.
The Region maintains a total of 179 cases of infection with the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19 disease, and there are currently 19 active positive cases, all of them on the island of São Miguel.
Children under 12 will not pay for air travel to the Azores (conditions apply)
The Government of the Azores announced this Friday the creation of a national and international campaign so that children up to 12 years old do not pay for air travel to the region, as a way to relaunch tourism due to the covid-19.
The proposal is part of a set of 250 measures on the agenda for the social and economic relaunch of the region in the post-pandemic of the covid-19, which was presented today by the President and Vice President of the Government of the Azores, Vasco Cordeiro and Sérgio Ávila , respectively. The document, available online, reads that ” financial support will be given for campaigning, national, European and international, aimed at families, in which, with two paying adults, children up to 12 years old do not pay for the trip by plane”.
About this measure it is also said that it will be “operationalized” through a contract between the Regional Government, the “airline, the participating tour operators” and “those responsible for offering promotional packages”. The document states that the initiative will start in the second half of 2020, without specifying more details.
In the presentation of the agenda, the Vice-President of the Government highlighted that the document is organized in two pillars: one that aims to “relaunch the economy of the Azores” and the other to “build more resilient Azores”. In the tourism sector, the Regional Government intends to carry out a campaign, at national and European level, in which “the possibility of visiting three islands without paying the inter-island air fare” is offered, with the minimum stay requirement of “two nights on each of the islands “.

Situation Report Azores 4th August – 5th August 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
The Regional Government has awarded more than 1,000 ‘Clean & Safe Azores’ seals on all the islands of the archipelago, said the Regional Secretary for Energy, Environment and Tourism Marta Guerreiro.
According to the minister, 18 training courses were held in the areas of Hospitality, Local Accommodation, Rural Tourism, Tourist Entertainment and Maritime Tourism, Rent-a-car, Travel Agencies, Tours and Tourism Information Professionals, Restaurants and Tourism Offices, 1,470 enterprises enrolled, and a total of 1,852 people completed the on-line courses.

The Government of the Azores will reorganise the ‘covid-19 test area’ at João Paulo II airport in Ponta Delgada, this is to “streamline” the testing procedures for passengers who disembark on the island of São Miguel. There have been delays at the current facility, leading to complaints.
The Regional Health Authority has reported that the 1,295 tests carried out in the two reference laboratories in the Region in the last 24 hours did not reveal new positive cases of COVID-19.
Yesterday, as a result of the 890 tests carried out, a positive case of COVID-19 on the island of São Miguel was diagnosed.
The diagnosed case is a 47-year-old man, not resident in the Azores, who landed in the Region by air from the continental on August 2nd, having obtained a positive result for the virus on arrival SARS-CoV-2.
He is in a stable clinical condition and the procedures defined for confirmed cases, testing and surveillance of close contacts have already been taken care of by the Municipal Health Delegation.
The Region maintains a total of 176 cases of infection with the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19 disease, and there are currently 17 active positive cases, all on the island of São Miguel.
In case of symptoms, do not go to a Hospital or Health Centre, but call the Azores Health Line – 808 24 60 24.
For more information, visit the website created by the Government of the Azores on pandemic control in the Region, at https://destinoseguro.azores.gov.pt/ , or the Facebook page of the Regional Health Directorate, at https: / /www.facebook.com/DirecaoSaudeAcores/ .
The Government of the Azores has also provided the Azores Non-Medical Clarification Line COVID-19, at 800 29 29 29, which can be used between 8:30 am and 6:30 pm, on working days, and the RIAC Line 800 500 501, which works from Monday to Saturday, from 9 am to 10:30 pm, and on Sundays, from 10 am to 10:30 pm.
It is also available the email address esclarecimentocovid19@azores.gov.pt for clarification on measures taken in the region to cope with the new coronavirus pandemic.

Situation Report Azores 2nd August – 3rd August 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores

The Regional Health Authority has reported that, after 1,101 tests carried out by the two reference laboratories in the Region in the last 24 hours, a positive case of COVID-19 on the island of São Miguel has been diagnosed.
The case refers is a 25-year-old woman who is not resident in the Azores and arrived in the Region from by air from the Continent on August 1st, she tested positive for the SARS-CoV- virus when she arrived.
She is in a stable clinical condition and the procedures defined for confirmed cases, testing and surveillance of close contacts have already been taken care of by the Municipal Health Delegation.
There has also been a recovery, a 65-year-old man who landed in the Region, on Terceira Island, on July 14th.
In summary, 175 cases of infection with the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19 disease, have been detected in the Region, and there are currently 16 active positive cases, all of them on the island of São Miguel.

Situation Report Azores 31st July – 1st August 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
The Regional Health Authority has reported that, after 1,100 tests carried out in the two reference laboratories in the last 24 hours, two positive cases of Covid-19 on the island of São Miguel have been diagnosed.
One of the diagnosed cases is a 58-year-old man, not resident in the Azores, who landed by air from the continent on July 24th, with a negative test document. When he took his 6th day test, this one turned out to be positive.
The other case is a 44-year-old woman, resident on the island of São Miguel, who disembarked in the Region from the continent on July 30th, and on arrival obtained a positive result in the screening test for the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
So, with another positive case on Wednesday and in the Region as a whole, 174 cases of infection with the new coronavirus have been diagnosed, with currently 18 active positive cases, of which 17 on the island of São Miguel and one on the island of Terceira.
In other news, a security guard from a private company in Ponta Delgada was the victim of a frenzied attack yesterday at dawn.
The victim was attacked with a ‘close range’ weapon, suffering injuries to the head, neck and shoulder and requiring hospital treatment. According to the latest information, he has been discharged and is recovering from his injuries. The attacker was caught in the act and arrested at the scene, the 30 year-old man is being held by the PSP in Ponta Delgada.

Madeira Situation Report 29th August by Daniel Fernandes

Covid-19 update

There were 16 new cases in Madeira since the previous Madeira Situation Report. There were 6 new Covid-19 cases on Wednesday, of which 2 were imported from South Africa and from the Lisbon and Tagus Valley Region while 3 were a result
of a local transmission chain in the Municipality of Porto Santo and 1 was from a local transmission chain in the Municipality of Funchal.

There were 6 new Covid-19 cases on Thursday, of which 4 were imported from Italy and Poland and 2 were a result of a local transmission chain in the Municipality of Funchal. And there were 4 new Covid-19 cases on Friday, which were a
result of local transmission chain in the Municipality of Funchal.

As for the Porto Santo transmission chain, the epidemiological investigation meant 23 contacts have been traced, with 3 being confirmed cases and 20 tests coming back negative. The epidemiological investigation into the Funchal
transmission chain meant 9 contacts have been traced, with 6 being confirmed cases and 3 tests coming back negative. All contacts traced in both transmission chains remain in isolation and the epidemiological investigation is ongoing.
Pedro Ramos, informed that a hotel in Porto Santo is ready to host Covid-19 patients who require a place for isolation.

There are currently 40 active cases, of which 29 were imported and identified through screening at Funchal Airport, while the other 11 active cases were a result of a local transmission chain. So far, there have been 158 cases and 118
recoveries. There are 21 patients in isolation at a dedicated hotel and 19 in isolation at their own accommodation.

A passenger were identified as a suspected case on Friday. An epidemiological investigation and analysis is underway. As of Friday, there had been 1,617 suspected cases, of which 1,459 were not confirmed. There are 9,732 people under
active monitoring and 10,496 people in self-monitoring. Monitoring is being carried out by the health authorities of the Region’s Municipalities through the ‘MadeiraSafetoDiscover’ app.

As for Covid-19 testing on passengers who had arrived at Funchal and Porto Santo airports, 40,070 samples had been collected until Friday (at 17h00). Overall, as of Thursday, 72,381 samples had been processed in the Autonomous Region of
Madeira.

The SRS 24 helpline (Regional Health Service – 800 24 24 20) received 190 calls from Tuesday to Friday. Overall, the total number of calls made to this helpline is 11,545. The Covid-19 mental health helpline (219 212 399 – available
every day from 9h00 to 21h00) that was set up to provide emotional and mental support to Madeira residents has received 2,012 calls, with 174 people being monitored.

It was also announced that the laboratory at Dr. Nélio Mendonça Hospital is now able to carry out about 1,800 Covid-19 tests per day. The testing capacity at the start of pandemic was 50 tests per day and the testing capacity in the
Autonomous Region of Madeira is now approaching 2000 tests per day.


https://funchalnoticias.net/2020/08/28/ram-com-40-casos-activos-de-covid-19-e-nova-transmissao-local-no-funchal

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/102245/Covid-19_Seis_novos_casos_detetados_na_Regiao

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/102335/Covid-19_Mais_seis_casos_positivos_na_RAM


https://funchalnoticias.net/2020/08/28/criancas-da-ram-com-mais-de-6-anos-tambem-vao-ter-de-usar-mascara-na-escola/

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/102223/Porto_Santo_unidade_hoteleira_sera_acionada_em_caso_de_necessidade


Face masks compulsory for children in school
premises

Children older than 6 years old must wear face masks in school premises. This policy is part of the school reopening plan that will be implemented when schools reopen. Schools are scheduled to reopen in September.


https://funchalnoticias.net/2020/08/28/criancas-da-ram-com-mais-de-6-anos-tambem-vao-ter-de-usar-mascara-na-escola/

More testing sites to be available in the Mainland

Pedro Ramos revealed the Madeira Regional Government will soon sign a contract with another laboratory so that Madeira-bound passengers in the Mainland can be tested for Covid-19 before flying to Madeira. He said there will be 14 more
sample collection points in the Mainland.

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/102220/Covid-19_Havera_mais_14_postos_de_colheita_fora_da_Regiao

President of the Regional Government appeals for tourists to wear masks on the streets

Miguel Albuquerque, the President of the Madeira Regional Government, has asked hotel staff to advise tourists to wear masks in public places and on the streets. He stressed the importance of “making a small sacrifice in order to
prevent cases similar to those that happened in Porto Santo”.

He said the situation in Porto Santo seems to be under control. However, he said people should not get carried away and mentioned the worsening pandemic situation in Italy, Spain and even in the Portuguese Mainland. He added that people
in Madeira must be careful and wise, keep social distancing, wear face masks and try to carry on with life while taking all precautions.


https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/102284/Albuquerque_faz_apelo_a_hotelaria_Pecam_aos_turistas_o_uso_da_mascara_na_rua_

Jet2holidays increased its offer in Madeira

Jet2holidays added 100,000 further seats for destinations in Greece, Turkey and Portugal (Faro and Madeira) so as to meet demand. The flights are operated from Stansted Airport. On the other hand, it has cancelled its offer for the
Balearic Islands until the 30th of November and extended the suspension of its programmes to Mainland Spain, the Canary Islands and Croatia until the 12th of September.

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/102336/Jet2holidays_reforca_programas_de_ferias_para_a_Madeira

Madeira Report 22nd August by Daniel Fernandes

Covid-19 update

There was 1 new Covid-19 case on Saturday and another on Monday. Both cases are from non-resident passengers who had been screened at Funchal Airport. On Tuesday, it was announced that 11 patients had recovered.

There are currently 24 active cases, of which 23 were imported and identified through screening at Funchal Airport, while the other active case was a result of a local transmission chain. So far, there have been 142 cases and 118
recoveries.

There are 18 patients in isolation at a dedicated hotel and 6 in isolation at their place of residence. The 3 patients who had been hospitalised at the Covid-19 unit at Hospital Dr. Nélio Mendonça, including 1 in the intensive care
unit, have recovered and have returned home.

On Tuesday, 2 passengers were identified as suspected cases. An
epidemiological investigation and analysis is underway. As of Monday, there had been 1,601 suspected cases, of which 1,459 were not confirmed.

There are 7,506 people under active monitoring and 10,496 people in self-monitoring. Monitoring is being carried out by the health authorities of the Region’s Municipalities through the ‘MadeiraSafetoDiscover’ app.

As for Covid-19 testing on passengers who had arrived at Funchal and Porto Santo airports, 38,075 samples had been collected until Tuesday (at 17h00). Overall, as of Monday, 69,014 samples had been processed in the Autonomous Region of
Madeira.

The SRS 24 helpline (Regional Health Service – 800 24 24 20) received 262 calls from Friday to Tuesday. Overall, the total number of calls made to this helpline is 11,355.

The Covid-19 mental health helpline (219 212 399 – available every day from 9h00 to 21h00) that was set up to provide emotional and mental support to Madeira residents has received 1,983 calls, with 169 people being monitored.

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/101923/Covid-19_Novo_caso_detetado_no_aeroporto_da_Madeira

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/102064/Madeira_conta_hoje_com_mais_um_caso_de_covid-19


https://funchalnoticias.net/2020/08/25/11-novos-casos-recuperados-de-covid-19-entre-eles-os-doentes-hospitalizados-dois-novos-casos-suspeitos/

Ten people in quarantine in Porto Santo

Ten people are in quarantine in Porto Santo after having been in
close contact with a tourist who had been on holiday at the island and tested positive for Covid-19 after returning to Lisbon. Rogério Correia, the Porto Santo health delegate, said the tourist had tested negative for Covid-19 on
arrival at Funchal Airport and then traveled to Porto Santo two days after her arrival. She had traveled to Porto Santo on the Lobo Marinho ferry. She arrived in Porto Santo on the 7th of August and left on the 24th of August. She
started feeling ill a few days after her arrival at the golden island. However, according to the health authority, she didn’t care about the symptoms, which got worse after returning to the mainland. She only sought medical help after
her return to Cascais and tested positive for Covid-19. The health delegate said the tourist hadn’t had a very active social life while in Porto Santo and that all close contacts and been identified, tested and found to be asymptomatic.
The health delegate assured that so far, there are not any positive cases of Covid-19 in Porto Santo. Due to the 14-day incubation period, he raised the possibility that the tourist had been infected on the mainland, before traveling to
Madeira.

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/102172/Dez_pessoas_foram_testadas_e_estao_em_quarentena_no_Porto_Santo

Playgrounds reopened in Santa Cruz

The Municipality of Santa Cruz informed that all municipal playgrounds have reopened. There are disinfectant dispensers in each playground and it will be regularly disinfected. There are:

a) Information on the respiratory etiquette and rules must be displayed.

b) Mandatory use of face masks by children aged 10 or older and their companion.

c) Maintain social distancing – a minimum of 2 metres.

d) Avoid gatherings around equipments

e) Respiratory etiquette must be complied with.

f) It is forbidden to eat, drink and to share materials and equipments and to bring toys to the playground.

https://funchalnoticias.net/2020/08/23/parques-infantis-reabriram-em-santa-cruz-mas-com-numerosos-cuidados/

Madeira at yellow and orange level for high temperature warning

The Madeira archipelago is under yellow and orange warning for
high temperature until Sunday (30th August), with maximum temperatures expected to reach 32ºC. The south shore and mountain regions are expected to be the most affected areas. Air humidity is expected to be low, with temporary levels
below 30%, wind will reach between 10-35 Km/h, with wind gusts reaching 50-70 Km/h at the far east and far west and in mountain areas.

The barbecue spots in forest areas will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday due to the risk of forest fires. The Areeiro/Eira do Serrado forest road will also be closed during the same period of time. Surveillance will be increased by
the Forest Police.

People are asked to behave responsibly, not to light fires in forests and to avoid behaviours that could be dangerous to forests.


https://24.sapo.pt/atualidade/artigos/incendios-instituto-de-florestas-interdita-churrascos-na-madeira-devido-a-risco-elevado

Madeira Report 22nd August by Daniel Fernandes

Covid-19 update

There was 1 new Covid-19 case on Wednesday, 2 new cases on Thursday and on Friday. There was also 1 recovery on Wednesday. There are currently 33 active cases, of which 32 were imported and identified through screening at Funchal
Airport, while the other active case was a result of a local transmission chain. So far, there have been 140 cases and 107 recoveries.

There are 23 patients in isolation at a dedicated hotel and 7 in isolation at their place of residence. There are also 2 patients in the Covid-19 unit at Hospital Dr. Nélio Mendonça while 1 patient remains in the Covid-19 intensive care
unit at the same hospital. Yesterday, 3 passengers who had arrived at Funchal Airport were identified as suspected cases. An epidemiological investigation and analysis is underway. As of Friday, there had been 1,599 suspected cases, of
which 1,459 were not confirmed.

There are 7,564 people under active monitoring and 10,809 people in self-monitoring. Monitoring is being carried out by the health authorities of the Region’s Municipalities through the ‘MadeiraSafetoDiscover’ app.

As for Covid-19 testing on passengers who had arrived at Funchal and Porto Santo airports, 34,042 samples had been collected until Friday (at 17h00). Overall, as of Sunday, 65,132 samples had been processed in the Autonomous Region of
Madeira. As for testing on Madeira-bound passengers, before flying from the mainland, 12,986 tests have been carried out so far.

The SRS 24 helpline (Regional Health Service – 800 24 24 20) received 109 calls from Tuesday to Friday. Overall, the total number of calls made to this helpline is 11,093. The Covid-19 mental health helpline (219 212 399 – available
every day from 9h00 to 21h00) that was set up to provide emotional and mental support to Madeira residents has received 1,964 calls, with 168 people being monitored.

https://funchalnoticias.net/2020/08/22/mais-dois-casos-de-covid-19-mais-tres-casos-suspeitos-em-estudo/

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/101735/Madeira_com_mais_um_caso_ativo_e_um_suspeito_de_covid-19_

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/101807/Mais_dois_novos_casos_de_covid-19_e_outros_dois_em_estudo_

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/101865/Covid-19_Mais_dois_casos_na_Regiao_e_tres_suspeitos

Covid-19 test booking slots unavailable for flights in August and September at Porto laboratory

ADC Porto Ocidental, a laboratory in Porto that has an agreement with the
Madeira Regional Government for testing Madeira-bound passengers, has reached its maximum capacity for testing before flights in August and in the first fortnight of September. This is the information a Madeiran passenger received
automatically when she tried to book a test well in advance of her flight from Porto to Madeira.

This laboratory has a maximum capacity of 50 tests per day, which are carried out 72 hours before a flight so that test results can be provided before a flight. Tests are booked according to the order of arrival of a request (along with
evidence of a flight booking) and it is not possible to bested on weekends and holidays.

This passenger’s personal experience shows how popular this testing scheme has been with passengers flying into Madeira from the Portuguese mainland. Since Wednesday, two additional laboratories were added to the scheme, one in Porto
and another in Loulé. So far, this scheme is available in 22 locations in the mainland and negotiations are underway with additional laboratories.


https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/101728/Covid-19_Laboratorio_do_Porto_com_capacidade_esgotada_para_voos_deste_mes_e_setembro

Machico Municipality delivered PPE to cultural and sporting institutions

On Thursday, the Municipality of Machico delivered PPE to cultural and sporting institutions located the municipality. The delivery ceremony took place at Museu da Baleia da Madeira (Whale Museum), in Caniçal, after the municipality
contacted the institutions in order to learn what their needs were.

Overall, 27 kits of PPE were delivered. The cultural institutions received gloves, hand-sanitising gel and face masks while the sporting institutions received surface disinfectants, face masks, gloves and thermometers. In addition to
these deliveries, the Municipality of Machico has already provided similar PPE kits to the municipality’s businesses, such as hairdressers, barbers, beauticians and taxi drivers.


https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/101818/Machico_entrega_kits_de_protecao_as_instituicoes_culturais_e_desportivas_do_concelho

Water supply disruption

There will be a water supply disruption on Monday, from 9h30 to 15h00, due
to planned work on the water supply chain. The disruption will affect the Parish of Imaculado Coração de Maria (Rua Jaime Bruno Pereira, Rua das Lajes, Vereda das Lajes and Rua Álvaro Justino de Matos).


https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/101797/Intervencao_na_rede_vai_afetar_abastecimento_de_agua_no_Imaculado_Coracao_de_Maria

Power cut

Empresa de Electricidade da Madeira (Madeira power supplier) announced there will be power cuts in the following days, due to planned work on the electricity supply network. The following areas will be affected:

FUNCHAL

24th August – 09h00 to 12h00

  • Caminho de S. Roque (number 15)
  • Estrada Dr. João Abel de Freitas (numbers 13 to 174)
  • Rampa do Muro da Coelha (numbers 3 to 5)

24th August – 09h00 to 11h30

  • Caminhos da Partilha (number 45)
  • Caminho da Fonte (numbers 25 and 42)
  • Travessa Ribeira das Vacas (number 9)

24th, 25th and 26th August – 09h00 to 12h00

Rua dos Estados Unidos da América (numbers 104, 112 and 114)

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 (Serviço de Apoio ao Cliente): 800 221 187.


https://funchalnoticias.net/2020/08/21/publicidade-o-fornecimento-de-energia-sera-interrompido-nos-dias-horas-e-locais-abaixo-indicados-anuncio-61-2020/

Madeira report by Daniel Fernandes Wednesday 19th August 2020

Covid-19 update

There was 1 new Covid-19 case on Saturday, 2 new cases on Monday and 2 new cases on Tuesday. There were also 3 recoveries on Saturday, 1 recovery on Monday 1 recovery on Tuesday.

There are currently 29 active cases, of which 28 were imported and identified through screening at Funchal Airport, while the other active case was a result of a local transmission chain. So far, there have been 135 cases and 106
recoveries.

There are 23 patients in isolation at a dedicated hotel and 3 in isolation at their place of residence. There are also 2 patients in the Covid-19 unit at Hospital Dr. Nélio Mendonça while 1 patient remains in the Covid-19 intensive care
unit at the same hospital.

Yesterday, a passenger who had arrived at Funchal Airport was identified as a suspected case. An epidemiological investigation and analysis is underway. As of Tuesday, there had been 1,594 suspected cases, of which 1,459 were not
confirmed.

There are 7,487 people under active monitoring and 11,245 people in self-monitoring. Monitoring is being carried out by the health authorities of the Region’s Municipalities through the ‘MadeiraSafetoDiscover’ app.

As for Covid-19 testing on passengers who had arrived at Funchal and Porto Santo airports, 32,036 samples had
been collected until Tuesday (at 16h30). Overall, as of Sunday, 62,364 samples had
been processed in the Autonomous Region of Madeira.

The SRS 24 helpline (Regional Health Service – 800 24 24 20) received 117 calls from Friday to Tuesday. Overall, the total number of calls made to this helpline is 11,093.

The Covid-19 mental health helpline (219 212 399 – available every day from 9h00 to 21h00) that was set up to provide emotional and mental support to Madeira residents has received 1,938 calls, with 168 people being monitored.


https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/101394/Madeira_com_mais_um_novo_caso_de_covid-19_mas_outros_tres_recuperaram

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/101432/Covid-19_Madeira_sem_novos_casos_e_com_mais_um_recuperado

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/101528/Madeira_com_mais_dois_novos_casos_de_covid-19


https://funchalnoticias.net/2020/08/18/mais-dois-casos-positivos-de-covid-19-um-novo-caso-recuperado-casos-activos-sao-29/

3 people injured in gas explosion in Câmara de Lobos

Three members of the same family (father, mother and son) were injured as a result of a gas explosion at an apartment in Câmara de Lobos. The explosion took place on Tuesday at around 08h30. The father is in intensive care due to
second-degree burns. Although the cause of the explosion are unknown, this is another reminder that all care should be taken when dealing with gas appliances at home.

https://funchalnoticias.net/2020/08/18/explosao-de-gas-feriu-tres-pessoas-em-apartamento-em-camara-de-lobos/

Increased police patrol in Porto Santo

Police in Porto Santo have increased their presence on the streets of Porto Santo since Friday, after several episodes of vandalism, robberies and violence in the last few weeks. Officers from GNR, PSP and the Maritime Police have been
seen on the streets and on the beach.


https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/101413/Porto_Santo_GNR_e_elementos_de_investigacao_criminal_reforcam__contingente_policial_

15 free wireless internet hotspots in Câmara de Lobos

The Municipality of Câmara de Lobos has set up 15 free wireless internet hotspots in the town centre of the municipality’s 5 parishes. According to Pedro Coelho, the Mayor of Câmara de Lobos, this means Câmara de Lobos has become the
first municipality in Madeira to have a municipal wi-fi network that covers all of its parishes and areas beyond urban areas.

This is a result of a successful application for the project “WIFI4EU – Free
wifi for Europeans”, a project financed by the European Commission that allows citizens and visitors in the European Union to have free and secure wireless internet access in the main places of interest. The Municipality received
€15,000 for use in setting up the wireless infrastructure in areas that had previously not had free wireless internet hotspots. The use of these hotspots is free and without any time limits.

The following areas have had free wireless internet since 2017: Largo do Poço, Jardins do Ilhéu, Varadouro, the bus station next to Miradouro do Espirito Santo (Churchill), Mercado Municipal and Praça da Autonomia. Two more hotspots
were set up to complement these, one at Largo São Sebastião (next to Igreja Matriz) and one at Praia do Vigário.

The following places have free wireless internet hotspots for the first time, thanks to the WiFi4EU project:

– Estreito de Câmara de Lobos – Largo do Centro Cívico do Estreito, Largo do Patim/adro da Igreja e Praça do Mercado Municipal;

– Jardim da Serra – Rua das Corticeiras;

– Curral das Freiras – Praça Central;

– Quinta Grande – Parque Infantil.


https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/101480/Camara_de_Lobos_tem_a_partir_de_hoje_15_pontos_de_acesso_a_rede_Wi-Fi

Water supply disruptions

There will be some water supply disruptions in the following days. The following areas will be affected:

Today (09h00-13h00) – Câmara de Lobos (Torre & Espírito Santo)

Thursday (15h00-18h00) – São Jorge Parish (Achada de António Teixeira, Achada do Pico, Achada Grande, Açougue Velho, Barranco, Calhau, Covas, Cruz, Fajã Alta, Furna Pedro Jorge, Jogo da Bola, Lombo do Cunha, Lombo do Pico, Pé do Pico,
Poço e Vale, Pomar, São Pedro & Tranquada)


https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/101462/Camara_de_Lobos_Sitios_da_Torre_e_Espirito_Santo_vao_ter_falta_de_agua_no_dia_19

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/101602/Vai_faltar_agua_em_Sao_Jorge_esta_quinta-feira

Madeira Situation report 15th August from Daniel Fernandes

Covid-19 update

There was one new Covid-19 case on Wednesday and 2 new cases on Thursday and 1 new case on Friday. A patient recovered on Monday.

There are currently 30 active cases, of which 27 were imported and identified through screening at Funchal Airport, while the other 3 active cases were a result of a local transmission chain. So far, there have been 130 cases and 100
recoveries. A passenger was identified as a suspected case during screening at Funchal Airport. An epidemiological investigation is underway. As of Friday, there had been 1,589 suspected cases, of which 1,459 were not confirmed.

There are 25 patients in isolation at a dedicated hotel, 2 in isolation at their place of residence, 2 are in the Covid-19 unit at Hospital Dr. Nélio Mendonça while 1 is in intensive care at the same hospital.

There are 7,946 people under active monitoring and 11,230 people in self-monitoring. Monitoring is being carried out by the health authorities of the Region’s Municipalities through the ‘MadeiraSafetoDiscover’ app.

As for Covid-19 testing on passengers who had arrived at Funchal and Porto Santo airports, 28,406 samples had been collected until Friday (at 17h00). Overall, 58,311 samples have been processed in the Autonomous Region of Madeira.

The SRS 24 helpline (Regional Health Service – 800 24 24
20) received 125 calls from Tuesday to Friday. Overall, the total number of calls made to this helpline is 10,976.

The Covid-19 mental health helpline (219 212 399 – available every day from 9h00 to 21h00) that was set up to provide emotional and mental support to Madeira residents has received 1,911 calls, with 167 people being monitored.

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/101193/Covid-19_Ha_um_novo_caso_na_Regiao_e_quatro_suspeitos

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/101268/Madeira_com_mais_dois_casos_ativos_de_covid-19_e_tres_em_estudo


https://funchalnoticias.net/2020/08/14/madeira-chega-aos-30-casos-activos-de-covid-19-ha-tambem-um-novo-caso-suspeito/

Spa reopened at VidaMar Resort Hotel Madeira

VidaMar Resort Hotel Madeira’s Thalasso Sea SPA has reopened with a special campaign for guests staying at the hotel or simply using the spa services. The spa’s opening hours are from Wednesday to Sunday, between 10h00 and 19h00. The
spa has been given the Clean & Safe seal.

It has adopted the following
safety guidelines, due to the pandemic: bookings must be made beforehand, the use of masks is mandatory unless it is during treatment/massaging sessions, there is the possibility of receiving treatment sessions in outdoor areas,
individual facilities are thoroughly disinfected after each use and there is a mandatory time span between each booking.

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/101317/VidaMar_Resort_Hotel_Madeira_reabre_spa

New support packages for workers, businesses and the unemployed

The Madeira Regional Government approved a new €28 million extraordinary support package to provide support and protection for workers, businesses and the unemployed. The support packages are the “Incentivo Regional à Normalização da
Atividade Empresarial” (Regional Stimulus to the Normalisation of Business Activity), “Complemento Social Regional” (Regional Social Complement and “Programa Qualificar + para Empregar” (Qualify + to Employ Scheme). According to the
Regional Government, “30,000 workers, 1,000 companies and 200 unemployed will benefit from this new measures.”


https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/101287/Novos_apoios_para_30_mil_trabalhadores_mil_empresas_e_200_desempregados

Youths making the most of free entry to museums managed by the Regional Government

International Youth Day is being celebrated through free entry, for youths aged between 12 and 29, at all museums managed by the Madeira Regional Government. This scheme started on Wednesday (12th August) and will end today. Guided
tours are being provided for groups of youths or youths visiting with relatives. So far, large numbers of youths have been taking part in this scheme. A list of all museums managed by the Regional Government can be found on the
following website:

https://cultura.madeira.gov.pt/en


https://funchalnoticias.net/2020/08/13/jovens-tem-aderido-a-entradas-gratuitas-em-museus-sob-tutela-do-governo-regional/


Doca do Cavacas to be closed on Monday

The resort of Poças do Gomes – Doca do Cavacas will be closed on Monday due to maintenance work. The connecting tunnel between Poças do Gomes and Praia Formosa will also be closed.

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/101341/Doca_do_Cavacas_encerra_na_proxima_segunda-feira

Water supply disruption on Monday

There will be a water supply disruption on Monday (17th August), from 14h00 and 19h00, due to scheduled maintenance work to prevent water leaks on the water supply network. The disruption will affect the following areas (all in Machico
Municipality): Poço do Gil, Paraíso and Ribeira Seca.

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/101289/Vai_faltar_agua_em_Machico_esta_segunda-feira

Madeira Situation Report – 12th August 2020 by Daniel Fernandes

Covid-19 update

There were no new Covid-19 cases on Monday and 2 new cases on Tuesday and no new cases on Sunday. A patient recovered on Monday.

There are currently 26 active cases, of which 23 were imported and identified through screening at Funchal Airport, while the other 3 active cases were a result of a local transmission chain. So far, there have been 126 cases and 100
recoveries. As of Tuesday, there had been 1,585 suspected cases, of which 1,459 were not confirmed.

There are 23 patients in isolation at a dedicated hotel, 2 in isolation at their place of residence and 1 is in the Covid-19 unit at Hospital Dr. Nélio Mendonça.

There are 8,150 people under active monitoring and 11,262 people in self-monitoring. Monitoring is being carried out by the health authorities of the Region’s Municipalities through the ‘MadeiraSafetoDiscover’ app.

As for Covid-19 testing on passengers who had arrived at Funchal and Porto Santo airports, 26,485 samples had been collected until Tuesday (at 18h00). Overall, 55,561 samples have been processed in the Autonomous Region of Madeira.

The SRS 24 helpline (Regional Health Service – 800 24 24 20) received 40 calls from Sunday to Monday and 49 calls from Monday to Tuesday. Overall, the total number of calls made to this helpline is 10,851.

The Covid-19 mental health helpline (219 212 399 – available every day from 9h00 to 21h00) that was set up to provide emotional and mental support to Madeira residents has received 1,881 calls, with 165 people being monitored.

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/101012/Covid-19_Madeira_sem_novos_casos_pelo_segundo_dia_consecutivo

https://funchalnoticias.net/2020/08/11/dois-novos-casos-positivos-de-covid-19-na-ram-2-novos-casos-suspeitos/

Porto Santo bars closed early as a protest

The main bars in Porto Santo closed at 22h30 on Tuesday evening, as a protest against the maximum capacity limit of 50%. Zarco, Taskaki, Boutique da Poncha and Mr Outlet were some of the bars which closed early.

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/101109/Bares_da_noite_do_Porto_Santo_fecharam_em_sinal_de_protesto

Botanical Garden Cable Car reopening

The Botanical Garden Cable Car is reopening on the 14th of August. To celebrate its reopening, there will be a special discount of 20% on a trip.

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/101065/Teleferico_do_Jardim_Botanico_reabre_a_14_de_agosto

Meals from Pingo Doce can be delivered at home through Bring Eat

It is now possible to have home delivery of meals from Pingo Doce, through a partnership with Bring Eat, a home delivery service. Pingo Doce ensures its meals are delivered in Funchal, Câmara de Lobos and Caniço. Meals can be purchased
online, through the app or by phone. The meals will be sourced from the restaurant at Pingo Doce La Vie and bookings can be made on Bring Eat’s website (www.bringeat.pt), its app or by phone (+351
304 500 510). Payment can be made by cash, debit card or MB Way.


https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/100969/Pingo_Doce_associa-se_a_Bring_Eat_e_passa_a_entregar_encomendas_de_take_away_em_casa_

Exhibition celebrating the arrival of Gibraltarians during the Second World War

An exhibition celebrating the 80th anniversary of the arrival of about
2,000 Gibraltarians, mostly women and children, in Madeira has opened at the Funchal town hall. They arrived in Madeira between July 23rd and August 13th 1940, were well-received and found refuge that enabled them to live in peace
during wartime. Many Gibraltarians and their relatives visit Funchal every year to remind them of their stay and to show their relatives the place were they found plenty of happiness. Indeed, 38 Gibraltarians had been expected to
celebrate this year’s anniversary but were unable to, due to the pandemic. Since they are over 80 years old, doctors advised them against travelling to Madeira, which would have required travelling through 4 airports. The exhibition can
be viewed in the atrium (átrio) of the Funchal Municipality town hall until the 18th of August and includes work from students from Funchal schools, from the Funchal Senior University and from a group of customers from Ginásio
da Barreirinha (gym).


https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/101077/Funchal_celebra_os_80_anos_da_chegada_dos_gibraltinos_a_Madeira_com_exposicao_no_atrio_da_CMF_

Water supply disruptions

There will be water supply disruptions today and tomorrow, in the following places:

Today

Parish of Santa Maria Maior (Rua de Santa Maria – between Rua Brigadeiro Oudinot and Rua da Boa Viagem) – 15h00-17h00

Tomorrow

Parish of Câmara de Lobos (Saraiva) – 09h00-12h00

Municipality of Porto Santo (Serra de Fora & Porto dos Frades) – 14h00-18h00

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/101054/Corte_de_agua_entre_a_Rua_Brigadeiro_Oudinot_e_a_Rua_da_Boa_Viagem

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/101090/Interrupcao_de_agua_quinta-feira_em_Camara_de_Lobos

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/101101/ARM_informa_que_vai_faltar_agua_no_Porto_Santo

Madeira by Daniel Fernandes Monday 10th August 2020

Covid-19 update

There were 3 new Covid-19 cases on Saturday and no new cases on Sunday. A patient recovered on Sunday.

There are currently 25 active cases, of which 22 were imported and identified through screening at Funchal Airport, while the other 3 active cases were a result of a local transmission chain. So far, there have been 124 cases and 99
recoveries. As of Saturday, there had been 1,583 suspected cases, of which 1,459 were not confirmed.

There are 20 patients in isolation at a
dedicated hotel, 2 in isolation at their place of residence and 3 are in the Covid-19 unit at Hospital Dr. Nélio Mendonça.

There are 8,015 people under active monitoring and 10,479 people in self-monitoring. Monitoring is being carried out by the health authorities of the Region’s Municipalities through the ‘MadeiraSafetoDiscover’ app.

As for Covid-19 testing on passengers who had arrived at Funchal and Porto Santo airports, 24,082 samples had been collected until Sunday (at 16h00). Overall, 53,240 samples have been processed in the Autonomous Region of Madeira.

The SRS 24 helpline (Regional Health Service – 800 24 24 20) received 46 calls from Friday to Saturday and 38 calls from Saturday to Sunday. Overall, the total number of calls made to this helpline is 10,762.

The Covid-19 mental health helpline (219 212 399 – available every day from 9h00 to 21h00) that was set up to provide emotional and mental support to Madeira residents has received 1,866 calls, with 164 people being monitored.


https://funchalnoticias.net/2020/08/08/ram-com-mais-3-casos-de-covid-19-ha-mais-2-casos-suspeitos-total-e-agora-de-26-casos-activos/

https://funchalnoticias.net/2020/08/09/ram-sem-novos-casos-de-covid-19-ha-um-doente-recuperado/

Increase in monitoring of safety and distancing guidelines in Porto Santo

Dr. Rogério Correia, the health delegate at Porto Santo, warned there will be a greater monitoring of compliance with the safety and distancing guidelines during the evenings. Although these guidelines are being complied with, there is
a trend for compliance to more relaxed during the evenings, in part due to alcohol consumption. He warned “there will only be an active island if Porto Santo is a safe island”.


https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/100864/Rogerio_Correia_diz_que_controle_no_Porto_Santo_sera_mais_apertado_a_partir_da_proxima_semana

Number of deaths increased in Madeira during the pandemic

There were 919 deaths among the Region’s residents between March 17th and July 19th. The number of deaths increased this year despite the lack of deaths from Covid-19. The number of deaths in the same period of time last year and in
2019 was 851 and 916 respectively. There were 243 deaths in April 2020 (232 deaths in April 2018 and 219 deaths in April 2019); 231 deaths in May 2020 (214 deaths in May 2018 and 213 deaths in May 2019). The were fewer deaths in June
2020 (182) than in June 2018 (215) and in June 2019 (197). As of July 19th, the data from July suggest there will be a similar trend to April-May.


https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/100902/Estatistica_Numero_de_mortos_aumentou_na_Madeira_durante_a_pandemia

Authorities praise the public for their behaviour at Rally Vinho da Madeira

Members of the public watching Rally Vinho da Madeira were
praised by the authorities for their behaviour during the event. They complied with the event’s safety and distancing guidelines. Miguel Albuquerque, President of the Madeira Regional Government, said the event had been “a great success
regarding safety and prevention”, with spectators having “complied with the regional and national guidelines issued by the health authorities”. There was “a spirit of civic duty and solidarity”. He finished by pointing out that this
event had been an example, “at a time when we need some well-organised festivals and events”.

Despite this, there was still plenty of criticism on social media and in the media about the fact this event had taken place while other events, such as Festa da Flor (Madeira Flower Festival), which attract plenty of tourists to the
Region, had been cancelled. They were also critical of the lack of social distancing among spectators in several places.

https://funchalnoticias.net/2020/08/09/autoridades-civis-nao-poupam-nos-elogios-ao-rally-vinho-da-madeira/

Madeira by Daniel Fernandes Saturday 8th of August

Covid-19 update

There were 2 new Covid-19 cases on Wednesday, 2 new cases on Thursday and no new cases on Friday. All these new cases were imported.

So far, there have been 121 cases. There are currently 23 active cases, of which 20 were imported and identified through screening at Funchal Airport, while the other 3 active cases were a result of a local transmission chain. There
have been 98 recoveries. Screening at Funchal Airport has detected 3 suspected cases that are currently under epidemiological investigation and testing. As of Thursday, there had been 1,580 suspected cases, of which 1,459 were not
confirmed.

There are 18 patients in isolation at a dedicated hotel, 2 in isolation at their place of residence and 3 are in the Covid-19 unit at Hospital Dr. Nélio Mendonça. There are 7,772 people under active monitoring and 9,976 people in
self-monitoring. Monitoring is being carried out by the health authorities of the Region’s Municipalities through the ‘MadeiraSafetoDiscover’ app.

As for Covid-19 testing on passengers who had arrived at Funchal and Porto Santo airports, 22,419 samples had been collected until Friday (at 16h00). Overall, 51,314 samples have been processed in the Autonomous Region of Madeira.

The SRS 24 helpline (Regional Health Service – 800 24 24 20) received 254 calls from Tuesday to Friday. Overall, the total number of calls made to this helpline is 10,678. The Covid-19 mental health helpline (219 212 399 – available
every day from 9h00 to 21h00) that was set up to provide emotional and mental support to Madeira residents has received 1,857 calls, with 164 people being monitored.

https://funchalnoticias.net/2020/08/05/dois-novos-casos-de-covid-19-ram-tem-ja-21-casos-activos/


https://funchalnoticias.net/2020/08/06/madeira-com-23-casos-de-covid-19-hoje-surgiram-dois-casos-activos-ha-mais-dois-suspeitos/


https://funchalnoticias.net/2020/08/07/mais-tres-casos-suspeitos-de-covid-19-tres-internados-no-hospital-23-casos-activos/

Increased police patrol at Rali Vinho Madeira to be funded by the Regional Government

The Madeira Regional Government will fund the increase in the
number of PSP police officers on duty during Rali Vinho da Madeira 2020. This decision was taken to ensure compliance with the regional, national and international sanitary and safety rules on the Covid-19 pandemic. The event organisers
have designed a Covid-19 contingency plan and a safety plan for drivers and spectators.


https://funchalnoticias.net/2020/08/06/governo-regional-vai-pagar-a-psp-para-reforcar-fiscalizacao-durante-o-rali-vinho-madeira/

Portuguese President on holiday in Porto Santo

Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, the Portuguese President, has been on holiday in Porto Santo. He arrived on Thursday and is due to leave today. It is his 10th visit to Madeira since becoming President, although the current visit is not an
official visit. He has been spending time walking and swimming at Porto Santo beach. He has also been approached by beachgoers and has not refused to take selfies with them!

He noticed that while in the past beachgoers were more likely to go to the beach earlier in the day, this year they have been more likely to go to the beach later in the day. He was also spotted eating ice-cream from Lambecas, Porto
Santo’s most famous ice cream parlour, and visiting a bar that serves poncha (traditional Madeira alcoholic drink).

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/100659/Marcelo_ja_chegou_ao_Porto_Santo


https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/100732/Marcelo_nadou_durante_30_minutos_nas_aguas_limpidas_do_Porto_Santo_

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/100693/Marcelo_desfruta_de_uma_das_maravilhas_do_Porto_Santo

“If not for Covid-19, this would have been the best ever tourist year” in Porto Santo

Idalino Vasconcelos, the Mayor of Porto Santo, expressed his sadness with
the fact 2020 would have been the best tourist year in Porto if the Covid-19 pandemic had not happened. He said Porto Santo is a safe and crime-free destination, doesn’t have big social problems and has one of the best beaches in
Europe.

He highlighted the praise Porto Santo received from “European Best Destinations” and “Forbes” as a safe tourist destination. Once again, he asked for all health guidelines to be complied with. He also mentioned UNESCO recently approved
Porto Santo’s bid to be included in the UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves.


https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/100722/Se_nao_fosse_o_covid-19_teriamos_hoje_o_melhor_ano_turistico_de_sempre_Idalino_Vasconcelos

Power cut

Empresa de Electricidade da Madeira (Madeira power supplier) announced there will be power cuts in the following days, due to planned work on the electricity supply network. The following areas will be affected:

ARCO DA CALHETA

11th August – 09h30 to 10h30

– Sítio do Pinheiro

CANHAS

11th August – 09h30 to 10h30

– Eiras, Chope, Pomar, Cancela – Vacaria, Malhadinha (including Britadeira and Cova Grande), Levada do Poiso (including Britadeira AFA), Ovo Girão

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 (Serviço de Apoio ao Cliente): 800 221 187.


https://funchalnoticias.net/2020/08/07/publicidade-o-fornecimento-de-energia-sera-interrompido-nos-dias-horas-e-locais-abaixo-indicados-anuncio-59-2020/

Madeira report Wednesday 5th August 2020 by Daniel Fernandes

Covid-19 update

There were 5 new Covid-19 cases on Monday and 1 new case on Tuesday. The 5 cases from Monday were from 5 passengers who had been under epidemiological investigations and analysis, after screening at Funchal Airport. The other 2
suspected cases turned out to be negative. The case from Tuesday was from another passenger who had already been under epidemiological investigation and analysis.

On Monday, 2 passengers were placed under
epidemiological investigation and analysis, with 1 coming back positive and another coming back negative. On Tuesday, 2 more suspected cases were identified and were waiting for the test results. As of Tuesday, there had been 1,576
suspected cases, of which 1,459 were not confirmed.

So far, there have been 117 cases. There are currently 19 active cases, of which 16 were imported and identified through screening at Funchal Airport, while the other 3 active cases were a result of a local transmission chain. There
have been 98 recoveries.

There are 14 patients in isolation at a dedicated hotel, 4 in isolation at their place of residence and 1 is in the Covid-19 unit at Hospital Dr. Nélio Mendonça.

There are 7,314 people under active monitoring and 9,390 people in self-monitoring. Monitoring is being carried out by the health authorities of the Region’s Municipalities through the ‘MadeiraSafetoDiscover’ app.

As for Covid-19 testing on passengers who had arrived at Funchal and Porto Santo airports, 20,315 samples had been collected until Tuesday (at 17h30). Overall, 48,447 samples have been processed in the Autonomous Region of Madeira.

The SRS 24 helpline (Regional Health Service – 800 24 24 20) received 126 calls from Sunday to Tuesday. Overall, the total number of calls made to this helpline is 10,424.

The Covid-19 mental health helpline (219 212 399 – available every day from 9h00 to 21h00) that was set up to provide emotional and mental support to Madeira residents has received 1,832 calls, with 161 people being monitored.


https://funchalnoticias.net/2020/08/03/casos-de-covid-19-aumentam-na-madeira-hoje-ha-mais-5-total-agora-e-de-18/


https://funchalnoticias.net/2020/08/04/mais-um-caso-confirmado-de-covid-19-na-ram-ha-hoje-mais-dois-casos-suspeitos/

Another Lisbon laboratory where travellers to Madeira can be tested

Passengers traveling from mainland Portugal to Madeira can now be tested for Covid-19, free of charge, in 6 laboratories, after the Madeira Regional Government signed a deal with LUMILABO. This laboratory has the capacity to carry out
250 tests per day and has 13 sample collection points. Testing can be booked by phone (21 7210480) or by email (geral@lumilabo.pt or mail@lumilabo.pt). Sample
collections take place from Monday to Saturday (07h00-19h00).

The Madeira Regional Government had already signed an agreement with 5
labs in the Portuguese mainland: 1 in Lisbon (Centro de Estudos de Doenças Crónicas (CEDOC)), 1 in Coimbra (Laboratórios da Universidade de Coimbra), 1 in Porto (ADC Porto Ocidental), 1 in Vila Real (ADC Vila Real) and 1 in Barcelos
(ADC Barcelos).

Madeira estabelece protocolo com laboratório em Lisboa para testes gratuitos para covid-19

Madeira residents can be tested for free before traveling to Azores

Madeira residents can be tested for Covid-19, free of charge, at SYNLAB, before traveling to the Azores archipelago. The laboratory is located at Rua do Bom Jesus (number 18). Testing must be booked by contacting SYNLAB by phone
(291143454) or by email (agendamentos.funchal@synlab.pt). The ticket receipt or the electronic ticket of the flight to the Azores must be presented and samples can be collected from
Monday to Friday (11h00-12h00 & 14h00-18h00).


https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/100483/Covid-19_Testes_de_despiste_antes_de_viagem_para_os_Acores_sao_realizados_no_SYNLAB_do_Bom_Jesus

Bathing ban at Praia das Palmeiras for several days

Bathing is banned at Praia das Palmeiras (Palmeiras Beach),
located in Santa Cruz due to a rupture of the waste water lifting station in the municipal market. The rupture was detected on Friday. On Tuesday, it was found that the rupture had led to a discharge of sewage into the sea, which
resulted in a bathing ban in the area between the swimming pool at Praia das Palmeiras and Praia de São Fernando (São Fernando beach – next to Hotel Vila Galé). The complexity of the necessary repair work means bathing in Santa Cruz is
forbidden for several days. The red flag was raised at Praia das Palmeiras. Although the seawater swimming pool at Praia das Palmeiras can still be used, bathing could be banned if the problem has not been resolved by the time the sea
water is renewed.


https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/100467/Santa_Cruz_Praia_das_Palmeiras_interdita_a_banhos_durante_alguns_dias

Biggest ever heroin haul seizure in Madeira

Polícia Judiciária (PJ) made the biggest ever heroin haul seizure in Madeira after arresting a woman carrying about 10 Kg of heroin, the equivalent of about 120,000 individual doses. The arrest was made during an operation in the last
weekend, after a four-month investigation. The 55 year-old woman was in possession of about 10 Kg of heroin at the time of her arrest, shortly after landing at Funchal Airport. The woman was remanded in custody. The PJ is continuing its
investigation.

https://24.sapo.pt/atualidade/artigos/policia-judiciaria-faz-maior-apreensao-de-heroina-registada-na-madeira

Water supply disruptions

There will be several water supply disruptions today:

(09h00-12h00) – Caminho da Ladeira (Santo António)

(09h00-12h00) – Parish of Estreito de Câmara de Lobos – Castelejo, Rochas Altas, Casa Caída and Fajã das Galinhas

(14h00-17h00) – Parish of São Jorge – Farrobo, Achada Grande, Achada Felpa, Achado do Vigário, Covas, Corrida, Achadinha, Lombo do Cunha, Pé do Pico, Pico, São Pedro and Tanque

And there will be a water supply disruption tomorrow, from 14h00 to 18h00, in Porto Santo, affecting the following areas: Lombas and Matas.

https://funchalnoticias.net/2020/08/04/cmf-anuncia-corte-na-distribuicao-de-agua-amanha-em-santo-antonio/


https://funchalnoticias.net/2020/08/04/arm-avisa-para-interrupcao-no-abastecimento-de-agua-potavel-no-estreito-de-camara-de-lobos/


https://funchalnoticias.net/2020/08/04/fornecimento-de-agua-interrompido-em-sao-jorge-no-dia-5-de-agosto-das-14-as-17h/

https://funchalnoticias.net/2020/08/04/arm-avisa-para-mais-um-corte-de-agua-desta-feita-no-porto-santo/

Madeira Situation Report by Daniel Fernandes, Monday August 3rd 2020

Covid-19 update

There were 2 new Covid-19 cases on Saturday and 3 new cases on Sunday. The 3 cases from yesterday are from 3 tourists who had arrived from Switzerland. They had already been in isolation and under monitoring after a member of the group
had tested positive on arrival last week. And 7 travellers are under epidemiological investigations and analysis after screening at Funchal Airport.

In more positive news, a patient who had arrived in Madeira and who had been in isolation in a designated hotel has recovered. So far, there have been 111 cases, 98 recoveries and 13 active cases. Ten of the active cases were imported
and identified through screening at Funchal Airport, while the other 3 active cases were a result of a local transmission chain. And 8 patients are in isolation in a designated hotel while 5 are in isolation in a temporary home.

There are 6,467 people under active monitoring and 8,413 people in
self-monitoring. Monitoring is being carried out by the health authorities of the Region’s Municipalities through the ‘MadeiraSafetoDiscover’ app. As of Saturday, there had been 1,570 suspected cases, of which 1,459 were not confirmed.

As for Covid-19 testing on passengers who had arrived at Funchal and Porto Santo airports, 17,794 samples had been collected until yesterday (at 18h00). Overall, 45,654 samples have been processed in the Autonomous Region of Madeira.

The SRS 24 helpline (Regional Health Service – 800 24 24 20) received 113 calls from Friday to Sunday. Overall, the total number of calls made to this helpline is 10,424.

The Covid-19 mental health helpline (219 212 399 – available every day from 9h00 to 21h00) that was set up to provide emotional and mental support to Madeira residents has received 1,811 calls, with 160 people being monitored.

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/100260/Covid-19_Dois_novos_casos_identificados_na_Madeira


https://funchalnoticias.net/2020/08/02/mais-3-casos-de-covid-19-na-ram-outros-sete-casos-suspeitos-sob-investigacao/

President of the Madeira Regional Government does not believe mandatory use of masks will deter visitors to Madeira

Miguel Albuquerque, the President of the Madeira Regional Government, acknowledged the use of a face mask is “boring” but he does not believe its mandatory use in public places will deter visitors from coming to Madeira. Although he was
aware this policy would be controversial, he believes it is preferable to have this policy in place than to face transmission chains and uncontrollable situations.

He reinforced this by highlighting two crucial developments coming up.
The first is connected to the pandemic situation in countries such as Spain, France and Germany, which is “reaching alarming levels”. Madeira will be very exposed to tourists from these countries. The second is the reopening of schools
and nurseries in the first fortnight of September. He said there will be 43,000 students and 6,000 teachers which will mean more gatherings and a greater risk of transmission. Furthermore, the Region is expecting the arrival of 70,000
tourists in August and 80,000 in September.


https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/100155/_Nao_acredito_que_ninguem_deixe_de_vir_a_Madeira_por_causa_do_uso_da_mascara

Return of Jet2 to is a “happy day to Madeira”

Eduardo Jesus, the Madeira Tourism Secretary, was very pleased with the return of Jet2 flights to Madeira after several months without any. Jet2 is the biggest British tourism operator to Madeira and today it will carry hundreds of
people though several flights to the archipelago. He said this is happening despite the quarantine requirements for
tourists when returning to the UK. He added that Jet2 had managed to motivate a
large number of tourists who believe Madeira is a safe destination and who are still willing to come to Madeira on holiday, even if it means being in quarantine after their return. He believes Jet2 and the British market have shown
great trust in Madeira due to the policies adopted by the Regional Government to ensure it is a safe destination and to the “exemplary control of the pandemic” in the Region. He finished by saying “the recovery is underway” and “it is
necessary to believe and to use these positive news” to motivate the entire tourism industry.


https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/100310/Regresso_da_companhia_aerea_Jet2_e_um_dia_feliz_para_a_Madeira_diz_Eduardo_Jesus

Roadworks at Via Rápida (VR1)

The exit road of VR1 at junction 18 (nó 18 – Gaula– marked in red on the map), heading from Funchal towards Ribeira Brava, will be closed to traffic due to scheduled work on the road pavement, from August 4th (10h00) to August 5th
(02h00).

As a diversion, Vialitoral suggests drivers exit at the previous junction (junction 19 – Boaventura) or at the following junction (junction 17 – Porto Novo). Vialitoral asked drivers to comply with all existing road signs. All similar
information is available and constantly updated on the following website:

www.vialitoral.com


https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/100162/Vialitoral_encerra_saida_da_via_rapida_em_Gaula_no_sentido_Funchal_-_Ribeira_Brava

Water supply disruptions

There will be water supply disruptions tomorrow due to scheduled work on the water supply chain to prevent water leaks. The disruptions will affect the following areas:

Municipality of Câmara de Lobos – Vila, Pé do Pico and Espírito Santo (09h00 to 12h00)

Municipality of Santana – Corrida, Curral Velho, Fonte da Pedra, Lombo de Antão Alves, Pico, Pinheiro, Serra de Água, Silveira and Serrado (14h00 to 18h00)

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/100178/Abastecimento_de_agua_afetado_em_Camara_de_Lobos_a_4_de_agosto


https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/100180/Remodelacao_na_rede_deixa_Santana_sem_agua_em_varios_sitios_na_proxima_terca-feira

Power cut

Empresa de Electricidade da Madeira (Madeira power supplier) announced there will be power cuts in the following days, due to planned work on the electricity supply network. The following areas will be affected:

FUNCHAL

4th August – 09h00 to 11h30

– Calçada da Cabouqueira (numbers 17, 21, 62, 64, 76 and 80

5th August – 09h00 to 11h30 & 14h00 to 16h00

– Rua do Lazareto (number 239)

– Beco do Ribeiro Seco (São Gonçalo)

5th and 6th August – 09h00 to 11h30 & 14h00 to 16h00

– Rua dos Álamos (numbers 3 and 5)

6th August – 09h00 to 12h00

– Rua Nova da Igreja (S. Gonçalo) & Rua Prof. Modesto Trindade

– Beco do Carteiro

– Travessa Pedra Mole

– Calçada do Pico (numbers 12 and 14)

CAMPANÁRIO

4th August – 09h00 to 11h30

– Caminho da Pedra de Nossa Senhora & Caminho da Gloria

– Ribeiro dos Melões (including Via Litoral)

– Vigia (partial)

4th August – 09h30 to 09h45 & 16h00 to 16h15

– Chamorra de Baixo, Cima e Porta Nova

ARCO DA CALHETA

5th August – 09h30 to 11h30

– Faias

CALHETA

5th August – 09h30

– Pico Atouguia

SÃO VICENTE

5th August – 09h00 to 09h30 & 17h00 to 17h30

– Ginjas, Miradouro (Ginjas) and Parque Empresarial de São Vicente

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 (Serviço de Apoio ao Cliente): 800 221 187.


https://funchalnoticias.net/2020/08/01/publicidade-o-fornecimento-de-energia-sera-interrompido-nos-dias-horas-e-locais-abaixo-indicados-anuncio-57-2020/

Algarve Situation Report Wednesday 19th August 2020

Covid 19 Situation

The Directorate-General for Health (DGS) today pointed out the existence of 1007 cases of covid-19 in the Algarve, 11 more than yesterday, and totalling 17 deaths since the beginning of the pandemic

Marcelo: Portugal on the UK’s safe list makes a “brutal difference” for the Algarve

It is “great news” that makes “a brutal difference” in the economy – and the general panorama – of the Algarve. Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa in Portimão commented about the inclusion of Portugal in the list of safe destinations in the United Kingdom.

He stated “It is great news. Great news for the mayors here in the Algarve for many others from other parts of the country but first of all for the 300,000 Portuguese who live and work in the United Kingdom. It is also good news for the almost 50 thousand Britons who live and like to live in Portugal and also for all those who wanted to move from one country to another”.

João Fernandes: Algarve must “make the most» air corridor to the United Kingdom”

The inclusion of Portugal in the United Kingdom’s list of safe countries to travel was deserved “for some time” and will open a window of opportunity that the Algarve region “should make the most of”, according to João Fernandes, president of Turismo do Algarve. The British Government’s decision, announced yesterday by the United Kingdom’s Secretary of State for Transport, comes at a time when “we still have four months to go”, until winter arrives.

“We have September and October still with good weather for bathing, but above all, we have new motivations for visiting, which find their peak season in this period, namely golf, which is one of the main reasons for visiting the region”, he said.

It should also be borne in mind that “September will be marked by the realization of the Portugal Masters”, in golf, and in October there are Formula 1 and Moto GP events in Portimão.

“At this moment, we start for four months of the year when we still have opportunities. We have to guarantee that we have exhausted its potential”, added a satisfied João Fernandes. This was, moreover, “a news that we had hoped for and which we had deserved for some time”. “There is a feeling here that, finally, the security that exists in Portugal is recognized, specifically here in the Algarve, the main tourist destination of the British», he illustrated.

Turismo do Algarve wants tourists to visit the region outside the usual “high season” period.

Turismo do Algarve is intensifying the creation of partnerships with some of the main European airlines that fly to the region, with the aim of reinforcing the effort to promote the destination and to attract the interest of new visitors until the end of this year. British Airways, Eurowings, Ryanair, Easyjet, AirFrance and Edelweiss are some of the companies that are already collaborating in the creation of joint marketing campaigns, to enhance reservations for stays in the region even during 2020.

Based on a multiplatform dissemination strategy, which integrates and combines digital and printed channels carefully selected in some of the main markets (such as the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, France, Italy and Switzerland), these actions aim to promote the Algarve as a safe destination and place highlighted the diversity of experiences that the region has to offer.

According to João Fernandes, president of Turismo do Algarve, “with these campaigns we want to encourage last minute reservations, a trend that, given the current context, has been growing significantly”.

João Fernandes adds that “many people cancelled or postponed the holidays they had already scheduled because of the pandemic and it is mainly these tourists that we want to arrive, showing them that they are still in time to schedule these holidays in a destination that is fully prepared for the receive, with security, quality and flexibility. In addition to the diversity and richness of the region’s offer, the mild climate that the Algarve has throughout the year is another of our strong arguments, which we hope to capitalize on at this time and which we believe will be an important stimulus for travellers to book your holidays outside the traditional periods of high season”.

Aljezur: GNR detects 122 infractions in action to inspect illegal camping

On Thursday the GNR carried out several inspection actions to combat illegal caravanning and wild camping, within the scope of the “Safe Summer 2020” operation, in the municipality of Aljezur, with a special focus on the Southwest Alentejo and Costa Vicentina Natural Park.

According to a statement by that security force, of the inspection actions, “122 records were prepared, of which 97 were for offence resulting from wild camping as well as motorhome and illegal parking in prohibited places and 25 for non-compliance with the traffic sign regulation”.

The action that was carried out with the reinforcement of the Coastal Control Detachment (DCC) of Sines and in collaboration with the Regional Directorate for Nature Conservation and Forests of the Algarve, aimed to “mitigate wild camping activities and illegal caravanning”.