Archives: Situation Reports

Situation Reports news and reviews

Situation Report Madeira 3 June to 4 June 

– From Daniel Fernandes

Covid-19 update

There were no new Covid-19 cases today. A patient from the Municipality of Câmara de Lobos has recovered. This means the official number of cases in Madeira is still 90, with 81 recoveries and 9 active cases.

There are 352 people under active monitoring and 168 in self-monitoring. As of yesterday, there had been 1,543 suspected cases, 1,453 of which had come back negative.

As for Covid-19 testing, 15,627 samples from 14,257 people have been analysed at Laboratório de Patologia Clínica do SESARAM (Madeira Health Service lab).

The SRS 24 helpline (Regional Health Service – 800 24 24 20) received 39 calls from Tuesday to Wednesday, bringing the total number of calls to 8,214. So far, 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 1103 calls, with 124 people being monitored.

https://funchalnoticias.net/2020/06/03/mais-um-doente-recuperado-de-covid-19-na-madeira-casos-activos-sao-agora-nove/

Donations at Dr. Nélio Mendonça Hospital

Face masks were donated by Movimento de Voluntariado Hospitalar Presença Amiga (MVHPA – a voluntary organisation) for use by the Madeira Regional Health Service. A coffee shop, to be run in partnership with Liga Portuguesa Contra o
Cancro (LPCC – Portuguese League Against Cancer) was also opened at the hospital.

https://funchalnoticias.net/2020/06/01/voluntariado-entrega-mascaras-ao-sesaram-e-ha-nova-cafetaria-no-hospital-dr-nelio-mendonca/

Further training for lifeguards and emergency personnel

Frente MarFunchal, which belongs to the Municipality of Funchal, has been providing questions and answers sessions and further training to lifeguards and emergency personnel to ensure they are able to provide rescue and emergency
services while complying with Covid-19 guidance. This includes training on the correct hand-washing procedures, the correct procedure for wearing and removing PPE and procedures for safely dealing with victims. They have been having
online and face-to-face training sessions.

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/94728/Frente_MarFunchal_realizou_acoes_de_debate_e_de_esclarecimento_com_profissionais_do_socorro_sobre_epoca_balnear

Accident and emergency ward to reopen in Porto Moniz

Valter Correia, a member of parliament
and former Mayor of the Municipality of Porto Moniz, informed that the accident and emergency ward of the Porto Moniz Health Centre will reopen on Monday. According to Pedro Ramos, the Madeira Health and Civil Protection Secretary, the
reopening of accident and emergency wards across Madeira will be gradual but he refused to announce any reopening dates.

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/94735/Porto_Moniz_Deputado_do_PSD_anuncia_regresso_do_servico_de_urgencia_no_Centro_de_Saude

Madeira and Canary Islands share Covid-19 common interests

The regional governments of Madeira and the Canary Islands agreed that the islands are similar in aspects such as accessibility and in having Covid-19 policies in areas such as the need for sanitary controls for passengers at the point
of departure. This is a common position that both governments intend to promote at national and EU level. They also agreed to jointly fight for more EU funding and assistance to the islands, so as to face negative effects of the
Covid-19 pandemic.

https://funchalnoticias.net/2020/06/01/voluntariado-entrega-mascaras-ao-sesaram-e-ha-nova-cafetaria-no-hospital-dr-nelio-mendonca/

Tablets delivered to 128 children

The Municipality of Santa Cruz started delivering tablets to 128 primary school children from deprived families or families facing difficulties, such as reduced earnings or unemployment, due to Covid-19. The tablets are equipped with a
router and three months of free internet access. The Municipality invested about €50,000 on this assistance program, which is crucial when school teaching is being carried out remotely. The Municipality has asked for residents facing
difficulties to contact it, so that it will try to assist them.

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/94701/Santa_Cruz_iniciou_entrega_de_tablets_a_128_criancas_

Situation Report Madeira 2 June to 3 June 

– From Daniel Fernandes

Covid-19 update

There were no new Covid-19 cases today.

A further 4 patients, from Câmara de Lobos Municipality, have recovered.
The health authorities announced that the Covid-19 case that was identified yesterday in Madeira will not be included in Madeira’s Covid-19 statistics, because the patient was infected in Central Portugal, where he lives. Instead, his
case will be included in Central Portugal’s data. The epidemiological investigation into this case will be led by the Central Portugal health authorities, in cooperation with the Madeira health authorities. The patient is isolation at a
designated hotel in Madeira.

This means the official number of cases in Madeira is still 90, with 80 recoveries and 10 active cases.

There are 322 people under active monitoring and 147 in self-monitoring. As of June 1st, there had been 1,543 suspected cases, 1,453 of which had come back negative.

As for Covid-19 testing, 15,120 samples from 13,794 people have been analysed at Laboratório de Patologia Clínica do SESARAM (Madeira Health Service lab).

The SRS 24 helpline (Regional Health Service – 800 24 24 20) received 51 calls from Monday to Tuesday, bringing the total number of calls to 8,155. So far, 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 1103 calls, with 124 people being monitored.

https://funchalnoticias.net/2020/06/02/ram-nao-regista-novos-casos-de-infeccao-pelo-coronavirus/

Habeas Corpus application against hotel quarantine

The passenger who applied for a Habeas Corpus challenging mandatory quarantine at Hotel Vila Galé, in Santa Cruz, will now be in quarantine at home, after the Covid-19 test she underwent yesterday came back negative. In fact, due to her
negative test, the Regional Health Authority decided to “free” the passenger and opted not to keep fighting in court for her to remain in quarantine in a hotel. As a result, politically speaking, both sides (the passenger and the health
authorities) have benefited. The passenger was allowed to be in quarantine at home while the Regional Government escaped a potential defeat in court, which would have potentially forced it to change the quarantine policy for passengers
arriving in the Madeira Archipelago. The current quarantine policy in Madeira remains the same.

https://funchalnoticias.net/2020/06/02/passageira-que-moveu-habeas-corpus-vai-cumprir-quarentena-em-casa-e-nao-no-hotel/

EasyJet to restore Madeira flights

EasyJet announced flights will be gradually restored. It expects to fly to 50% of its usual destinations in July and 75% in August, with a lower frequency and about 30% of its usual July to September capacity. Regarding its flights from
Portuguese airports, it plans to fly to 50 destinations in July, 59 in August and to restore internal flights from Lisbon, Porto, Faro and Funchal. It expects to serve between 78% and 92% of its usual destinations in July and August.

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/94547/easyJet_anuncia_retoma_de_voos_de_e_para_o_Funchal

Situation Report Madeira 1 June to 2 June – From Daniel Fernandes

A new Covid-19 case was announced yesterday, after 26 days without any new cases. The new case is that of a male passenger, aged 20-29, from Central Portugal, who had been awaiting for the result of a Covid-19 carried out in the
Portuguese mainland. The passenger had been in quarantine at Vila Galé hotel and was transferred to Hotel Dom Pedro, in Machico, where he will be in isolation. He is reported to be asymptomatic.

A further 4 patients, from Câmara de Lobos Municipality, have recovered. At
the moment, there are 11 active cases and 80 recoveries. The overall number of cases is 91.

There are 290 people under active monitoring and 140 in self-monitoring. Until the 31st of May, there had been 1,543 suspected cases, 1,453 of which had come back negative.

As for Covid-19 testing, 14,683 samples from 13,394 people have been analysed at Laboratório de Patologia Clínica do SESARAM (Madeira Health Service lab).

The SRS 24 helpline (Regional Health Service – 800 24 24 20) received 33 calls from Sunday to Monday, bringing the total number of calls to 8,104. So far, 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 1086 calls, with 123 people being monitored.

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/94496/Caso_positivo_na_Madeira_e_proveniente_da_Regiao_Centro_do_pais

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/94497/Sao_ja_80_os_casos_recuperados_de_covid-19_na_Madeira

https://funchalnoticias.net/2020/06/01/iasaude-confirma-novo-caso-de-covid-19-ha-mais-quatro-recuperados-na-ram/

Flights to Porto Santo resumed

As planned, flights between Funchal and Porto Santo
resumed yesterday. The first flight departs from Funchal Airport at 7h30 and the return flight from Porto Santo departs at 8h30. The afternoon flight departs from Funchal Airport at 16h55 and the return flight from Porto Santo departs
at 17h50.

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/94399/Binter_ja_voa_para_o_Porto_Santo

Face masks and shields donated

Ribeira Brava parish (Freguesia) donated reusable face masks and shields to staff from nursery school “O Balão”, in Ribeira Brava. Each member of staff received 1 face shield and 2 face masks. The aim of this donation is to increase the
protection of staff, children and their relatives.

https://funchalnoticias.net/2020/06/01/junta-da-ribeira-brava-entregou-mascaras-reutilizaveis-e-viseiras-a-infantario/

Madeira Aquarium

Families accompanied by children aged 12 or below will have free entry to Madeira Aquarium, until the 30th of June. All children visiting will also be offered sweets. This initiative is to celebrate the yearly World Children’s Day,
which was yesterday.

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/94458/Aquario_da_Madeira_no_Porto_Moniz_gratuito_no_mes_de_Junho

Water supply disruption

Due to planned work on the water supply chain, there will be a water supply disruption in Machico Municipality, affecting Caniçal (Figueirinhas and Palmeira), on Wednesday, from 10h00 until 12h00.

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/94463/Interrupcao_de_abastecimento_agua_no_Canical

Situation Report Madeira 31st May to 1 June 

– From Daniel Fernandes

There were no new cases yesterday. There have been no new cases for 26 days. Three more people have recovered. There are now 14 active cases and 76 recoveries.

There are 329 people under active monitoring and 140 in self-monitoring. So far, there have been 1,543 suspected cases, 1,453 of which came back negative.

As for Covid-19 testing, 14,321 samples from 13,055 people have been analysed at Laboratório de Patologia Clínica do SESARAM (Madeira Health Service lab).

The SRS 24 helpline (Regional Health Service – 800 24 24 20) received 23 calls from Saturday to Sunday to Saturday, bringing the total number of calls to 8,091. So far, 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 1073 calls, with 122 people being monitored.

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/94391/Covid-19_Mais_tres_doentes_recuperados_na_Madeira

Hotels requisitioned for quarantine

Three hotels have been requisitioned by the Madeira Regional Government to ensure there are facilities where passengers, landing at airports in Funchal and Porto Santo, can spend the 14-day (compulsory if needed) quarantine period. Its
aim is also to reduce the risk of Covid-19 contagion and spreading in Madeira. Dom Pedro Ocean Beach Hotel (in Machico), Hotel Vila Galé Santa Cruz (in Santa Cruz) and Aldeamento Turístico Village Cabo Girão have been requisitioned from
today, as part of the renewal of the Situation of Calamity until the end of June.

https://funchalnoticias.net/2020/05/31/governo-regional-renova-requisicao-de-hoteis-para-a-quarentena/

Nazaré Health Centre to reopen today

Nazaré Health Centre (Centro de Saúde da Nazaré) will reopen
today. Priority for appointments will be given to patients with chronic diseases. Appointments will be from Monday to Friday (9h00-13h00 and 14h00-18h00). Appointments can be booked by calling the following number (969376991 – a doctor
will answer the call).

  • The following guidelines will be applicable:
  • Be on time, arriving 10 minutes before the appointment
  • Avoid bringing other people with you, unless in special circumstances and allowed to
  • It is important to answer (with accuracy and without omitting facts) all epidemiological questions
  • Use face mask
  • Disinfect hands while entering and leaving the health centre
  • Maintain the recommended distancing
  • Temperature will be measured

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/94371/Centro_de_Saude_da_Nazare_reabre_amanha_para_assegurar_consultas_presenciais

Situation Report Madeira 30 to 31 May 

– From our colleague reporting on Madeira

Covid-19 update

There were no new cases yesterday. There have been no new cases for 25 days. There are now 17 active cases and 73 recoveries. There are 250 people under active monitoring and 146 in self-monitoring. So far, there have
been 1,543 suspected cases, 1,453 of which came back negative. As for Covid-19 testing, 13,918 samples from 12,683 people have been analysed at Laboratório de Patologia Clínica do SESARAM (Madeira Health Service lab).

The SRS 24 helpline (Regional Health Service – 800 24 24 20) received 37 calls from Friday to Saturday, bringing the total number of calls to 8,068. So far, 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 1062 calls, with 122 people being monitored.

https://funchalnoticias.net/2020/05/31/madeira-ja-fez-testes-a-12-683-utentes-mais-um-dia-sem-novos-casos-positivos/

Palácio de São Lourenço to reopen on Monday

Palácio de São Lourenço will reopen on Monday. All visits are
by appointment, with a limited number of visitors, hand disinfection, the use of face masks and social distancing. Some smaller areas will be temporarily closed, no written information will be distributed to visitors and, at least for
the time being, there will not be guided tours or presencial cultural events. A smartphone application will be provided for visits to this museum. The app, which was developed by Realizasom – Produção Audio, Lda., a company with
experience in the field of museums and cultural heritage, will offer visitors a guided tour of this museum and will be available in 4 languages (Portuguese, English, French and German).

It can be downloaded on a Wi-Fi hotspot that is signalled at the start of the tour. Its advantage is that visitors can use their own smartphones and headsets, thus avoiding the sharing of equipment. In the future, guided tours and
cultural events organised in partnership and with the participation of the community, will be allowed again. Information and educational resources can be provided by telephone or email and in-person services, will be possible, with a
maximum capacity of two people, which requires booking but phone (291 205 530) or by email (gabrr.palacio@gmail.com).

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/94279/Palacio_de_Sao_Lourenco_reabre_ao_publico_segunda-feira

Track and trace app to be available

A track and trace app, which will allow the Madeira Regional Health Service to monitor tourists in Madeira will be available, on a voluntary basis due to existing data protection legislation. Mandatory Covid-19 test will be carried out
on passengers who do not present evidence of a negative Covid-19 performed 72 hours before landing, temperature measuring will be carried out and passengers will have to fill in questionnaires. Miguel Albuquerque, said Madeira is
following the Iceland model of reopening tourism to the Region.

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/94300/APP_voluntaria_para_poder_monitorizar_turistas

Situation Report Madeira 29 to 30 May 

– From Daniel Fernandes

There were no new cases yesterday. There have been no new
cases for 24 days. Two patients staying in a hotel in Câmara de Lobos have recovered, bringing the overall number of recoveries to 73. There are 17 active cases, 15 from Câmara de Lobos, 1 from Funchal and 1 from Ponta do Sol.. One of
patients is at home while the remaining 16 are staying in designated hotels.

There are 391 people under active monitoring and 149 in self-monitoring. There were only 2 suspected cases in the current week. So far, there have been 1,543 suspected cases, 1,453 of which came back negative.

As for Covid-19 testing, 13,288 samples from 12,084 people have been analysed at Laboratório de Patologia Clínica do SESARAM (Madeira Health Service lab). All care home residents and members of staff in Madeira were tested and all tests
came back negative.

The SRS 24 helpline (Regional Health Service – 800 24 24 20) received 216 calls this week, 45 of which from Thursday to Friday, bringing the total number of calls to 8,031. So far, 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 1043 calls, 116 of which were over the course of this week. There are 122 people being monitored.

https://funchalnoticias.net/2020/05/29/mais-dois-recuperados-de-covid-19-numero-de-casos-activos-e-agora-de-17/

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/94255/15_dos_17_casos_de_covid-19_ativos_na_Madeira_estao_em_Camara_de_Lobos

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/94250/Covid-19_Testes_negativos_em_todos_os_lares_da_Regiao


Passengers being tested will not wait for test results

It was announced that, from the 1st of July, passengers who land in Madeira without evidence of a negative Covid-19 test will have to be tested, but will be able to leave the airport without knowing the test result. The test result will
be known 12 hours later but there will be no movement restrictions on any passengers visiting or returning to Madeira.

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/94257/Turistas_que_fizerem_testes_a_chegada_nao_vao_esperar_pelos_resultados_laboratoriais

Power cuts this morning

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

Câmara de Lobos – Bairro da Palmeira, blocos 1, 2, 3 and 4 (9h00-12h00)

Tabua – Lugar da Serra, Salão and Candelária (9h00 – 12h00)

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/2020/05/29/publicidade-o-fornecimento-de-energia-sera-interrompido-nos-dias-horas-e-locais-abaixo-indicados-anuncio-35-2020/

Situation Report Madeira 28 to 29 May 

– From Daniel Fernandes

Covid-19 update

There were no new cases yesterday. There have been no new cases for 23 days. There are now 71 recoveries and 19 active cases.

There are 304 people under active monitoring and 149 in
self-monitoring. So far, there have been 1,543 suspected cases, 1,453 of which came back negative.

As for Covid-19 testing, 12,963 samples from 11,791 people have been analysed at Laboratório de Patologia Clínica do SESARAM (Madeira Health Service lab).

The SRS 24 helpline (Regional Health Service – 800 24 24 20) received 27 calls from Wednesday to Tuesday, bringing the total number of calls to 7,986. So far, 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 1029 calls, with 120 people being monitored.

https://funchalnoticias.net/2020/05/28/nao-ha-novos-casos-de-covid-19-casos-de-infeccao-activos-continuam-a-ser-19/

Situation of calamity declared in Madeira

Yesterday afternoon, the Madeira Regional Government
approved a Resolution declaring the situation of calamity in the Madeira Region, starting on the 1st of June and ending on the 30th of June. Below is partial translation of the main Resolution (a full translation will be published
soon):

If necessary, a 14-day mandatory quarantine will be imposed on all people and their luggage that land in Funchal Airport and Porto Santo Airport, and do not present evidence of a negative Covid-19 test that had been carried out 72h
before the landing, in laboratories that are certified by national or international authorities. This mandatory confinement will be in hotels requisitioned by the Regional Government. The relevant health authorities could also impose
compulsory medical exams and the filling of a questionnaire on the health conditions of each person. This is to ensure the confinement period is successful.

This rule does not apply to patients receiving treatment or to people who are considered to be in an analogous situation, upon checks and guidance by the Regional Health Authority.

This rule does not also apply to Madeira or Porto Santo residents who are traveling between both islands.

The mandatory quarantine period will be spent in requisitioned hotels.

Every person has a duty to comply with all guidelines issued by the relevant health authorities and with all measures issued in this Resolution.

Failure to comply with a legitimate order or warrant issued by the health authorities will be a crime of disobedience and will be punished according to existing legislation.

This Resolution will be enforced and monitored by the relevant Health Authorities and Civil Protection authorities, who are authorised to request the cooperation of the security forces and of the human and material resources of the
regional civil service.

This is an exceptional Resolution which will be constantly reviewed by the relevant authorities, and could be amended if the circumstances change.

Two plots of land, belonging to different owners, and required for the building of Novo Hospital do Funchal (New Funchal Hospital) will be purchased for the cost of €242,406.86.

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/94144/Conselho_de_Governo_aprova_situacao_de_calamidade_para_a_Regiao_a_partir_de_1_de_junho

Free wireless internet in Calheta

The Municipality of Calheta has set up free wireless internet in
several municipal public spaces. 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 following places in the Municipality of Calheta have free wireless internet:

  • Praceta do Centro Cívico da Ponta do Pargo
  • Praceta do Paul do Mar
  • Praça dos Prazeres
  • Praceta do Estreito da Calheta
  • Praça do Jardim do Mar
  • Praça de Táxis da Estrela
  • Edifício Paços do Concelho (Municipality building – town hall)
  • Avenida D. Manuel I
  • Praia da Calheta (Calheta Beach -on both sides of the beach)
  • Praceta do Arco da Calheta,
  • Praceta do Loreto
  • Fajã da Ovelha (leisure area)

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/94115/Calheta_disponibiliza_internet_gratis_em_varios_espacos_publicos

Situation Report Madeira 27 to 28 May 

– From Daniel Fernandes

Covid-19 update

There were no new cases yesterday. There have been no new cases for 22 days. Four people have recovered. There are now 71 recoveries and 19 active cases.

There are 304 people under active monitoring and 149 in self-monitoring. So far, there have been 1,543 suspected cases, 1,453 of which came back negative.

As for Covid-19 testing, 12,081 samples from 10,954 people have been analysed at Laboratório de Patologia Clínica do SESARAM (Madeira Health Service lab).

The SRS 24 helpline (Regional Health Service – 800 24 24 20) received 35 calls from Tuesday to Wednesday, bringing the total number of calls to 7,960. So far, 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 1012 calls, with 119 people being monitored.

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/93995/Madeira_soma_22_dias_seguidos_sem_casos_novos_

Testing for passengers arriving in Madeira

Pedro Ramos, assured that Madeira will be able to process all tests that are carried out on all passengers arriving in Madeira, especially considering that Madeira’s airports are reopening in July.

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/93949/Covid-19_Mais_de_3000_colaboradores_de_creches_e_infantarios_da_Madeira_testados_ate_sexta-feira

More than 3,000 kindergarten and nursery school staff to be tested

About 3,300 kindergarten and nursery school staff will be tested for Covid-19. Testing is scheduled to be completed by today. This is to ensure a safe reopening of kindergartens and nursery schools on Monday.

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/93949/Covid-19_Mais_de_3000_colaboradores_de_creches_e_infantarios_da_Madeira_testados_ate_sexta-feira

Flights between Madeira and Porto Santo to resume

Flights between Madeira and Porto Santo, operated by Binter, will resume on Monday (1st of June). This was made possible after intense and permanent negotiations between Binter, the Madeira Regional Government and the Portuguese
Government. A small adjustment was made to the flight timetable. The first flight will depart from Funchal Airport at 7h30 and the return flight from Porto Santo will be at 8h30. The afternoon flight will depart from Funchal Airport at
16h55 and the return flight from Porto Santo will be at 17h50. Bookings can now be made online (www.binter.pt), by phone (291 290 129) and through travel agencies.

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/93981/Binter_retoma_operacoes_entre_a_Madeira_e_Porto_Santo_na_segunda-feira

Porto Santo beach among the safest beaches in Europe

European Best Destinations (EBD), an organisation that promotes tourism and culture at European level, selected Porto Santo beach as amongst the 10 safest (Covid-19) beaches in Europe. This beach was selected on the basis of the large
offer of private villas, tourist apartments, small or medium-sized hotels with specific health charter and commitments to travellers, such as cleaning and room disinfection service after each stay and respect for social distancing.
Porto Santo is also located near hospitals that have never been overcrowded during the crisis, with an average of hospital beds per inhabitant above the European average.

It is also thought the size of Porto Santo Beach also helps to promote adequate social distancing between beachgoers. Indeed, according to Idalino Vasconcelos, the Mayor of Porto Santo, even if there are thousands and thousands of
beachgoers at this beach at the same, the beach will still look empty and there will be plenty of empty space.

EBD also included Comporta Beach (in Alentejo) and Meia Praia Beach (in Lagos) in this list.

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/93941/Covid-19_Porto_Santo_entre_as_dez_praias_mais_seguras_da_Europa_

https://www.europeanbestdestinations.com/best-of-europe/coronavirus-safest-beaches-in-europe/

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/92549/Covid-19_Praia_do_Porto_Santo_sem_problemas_porque_ha_espaco_para_todos

Water supply disruption in Porto Santo

There will be a water supply disruption tomorrow, due to planned work on the water supply chain in order to reduce water leaks. The disruption will take place from 9h00 until 12h00 and will affect Rampa da Fontainha.

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/93993/Interrupcao_de_abastecimento_de_agua_no_Porto_Santo_

Situation Report Madeira 26 to 27 May 

– From Daniel Fernandes

Covid-19 update

There were no new cases yesterday. There have been no new cases for 21 days. There are still 23 active cases and 67 recoveries.

There are 303 people under active monitoring and 150 in self-monitoring. So far, there have been 1,543 suspected cases, 1,453 of which came back negative.

As for Covid-19 testing, 11,583 samples from 10,493 people have been analysed at Laboratório de Patologia Clínica do SESARAM (Madeira Health Service lab).

The SRS 24 helpline (Regional Health Service – 800 24 24 20) received 29 calls from Monday to Tuesday, bringing the total number of calls to 7,8925. So far, 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 997 calls, with 116 people being monitored.

A pregnant woman who had already recovered from Covid-19 was hospitalised yesterday, at the dedicated Covid-19 ward at Hospital Central do Funchal.

https://funchalnoticias.net/2020/05/26/ram-continua-com-23-casos-de-infeccao-activos-por-covid-19-e-o-mesmo-numero-de-recuperados-que-ontem/

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/93888/Covid-19_Gravida_recuperada_da_doenca_foi_hospitalizada

Salesians to donate 650 masks to care home

Today, at 16h30, the Salesians Foundation (Fundação Salesianos) and the group of
friends called G12 (Grupo de Amigos) will donate 650 face masks at Lar da Bela Vista (care home). The group will be represented by Padre José Jorge (the Headteacher of the Colégio Salesianos Funchal), Padre António Marcelino (the
Administrator) and everyone who contributed to this campaign. A representative from the Madeira Social Security Institute (Instituto de Segurança Social da Madeira), which is responsible for Estabelecimento Bela Vista, will also attend
the delivery ceremony. All relevant safety and distancing rules will be complied with, particularly because visits to the care home are still banned.

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/93894/_Salesianos_entregam_650_mascaras_ao_Lar_da_Bela_Vista

Checkout staff to volunteer for food bank

On the 22nd and 23rd of May, the
leadership and a team from Banco Alimentar da Madeira (Madeira branch of one of the most famous food banks in Portugal) visited all Pingo Doce and Continente stores in the Madeira Region, to explain the importance of checkout staff in
spreading awareness of the campaign to raise food vouchers. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, it is impossible for the usual Banco Alimentar volunteers to receive food donations. As such, and until the 31st of May, the checkout staff will
be enthusiastic Banco Alimentar volunteers. The campaign “Ajuda Vale” entails seven basic goods (oil, sausages, tuna, milk, rice, beans and olive oil), with prices ranging from €0,48 to €1,99 at Continente and €0,48 to €1,29 at Pingo
Doce, where it is also possible to donate a CABAZ worth €4,11. Banco Alimentar reinforced the appeal with the following slogan: “Be a volunteer too! Request your voucher at the checkout and help to ensure that no plate remains empty.”

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/93881/Operadores_de_caixa_do_Pingo_Doce_e_Continente_tornam-se__voluntarios_do_Banco_Alimentar

Water supply disruptions

There will water supply disruptions tomorrow, due to planned work on the water supply chain in order to reduce water leaks. The following areas will be affected:

  • Parishes of Ribeira Brava e da Tabua (Achada, Apresentação, Bica de Pau, Corujeira, Cruz, Fajã da Urtiga and Pico), from 9h00 until 11h00.
  • Parish of Arco de São Jorge (Igreja, Enseada, Poços, Quebrada, Lagoa and Casais), from 9h00 until 13h00.

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/93854/Interrupcao_no_abastecimento_de_agua_na_Ribeira_Brava_e_Tabua

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/93883/Interrupcao_de_abastecimento_de_agua_no_Arco_de_Sao_Jorge_esta_quinta-feira

Situation Report Madeira 25 to 26 May 

– From Daniel Fernandes

Lifeguards to receive training on Covid-19

The Funchal Harbourmaster (Capitania do Funchal) will provide
training for Professional Lifeguards, to prepare them for the bathing season and for the new rescue procedures. The aim is to prepare lifeguards for acting in Covid-19 related scenarios when providing rescue and assistance to
beachgoers.

It is still unclear if lifeguards will also have the duty of checking if beach capacity limits are being complied with, in additional to their usual surveillance and rescue duties.

At national level, lifeguards will have to wear safety goggles, safety suits and face masks when providing assistance and rescue. It is also unclear if this will also be the case in the Madeira Region.

It is already known that Autoridade Nacional Marítima (National Maritime Authority) has automatically extended the certification of lifeguards who had not lost it this year or who would have lost it until the 15th of October, without
having to undertake the usual and specific recertification tests and exams, which did not take place due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/93757/Nadadores_Salvadores_com_formacao_sobre_a_Covid-19_promovida_pela_Capitania_do_Funchal

Care home visits to resume

Visits to the aged in Madeira care homes will resume on the 1st June. All residents, staff and visitors must comply with strict safety and hygiene rules.

https://funchalnoticias.net/2020/05/25/visitas-aos-lares-retomadas-a-1-de-junho-na-regiao/

TAP to resume flights to Madeira

TAP announced it will resume daily flights, connecting Lisbon/Porto and Funchal, in June. A full list of all TAP flights gradually resuming is available on the following link:

https://www.flytap.com/en-pt/promo/ready-to-go?accordionid=deeb1b68-b897-4829-beea-87b3f684b398-content

https://funchalnoticias.net/2020/05/25/tap-retoma-em-junho-ligacoes-diarias-com-a-madeira/

More passengers landed in Madeira

Thirty passengers, mostly students, landed in Funchal yesterday. Twelve of the passengers did not head for quarantine at Hotel Vila Galé, because they had presented evidence certifying a negative Covid-19 test or a sanitary declaration.

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/93747/Doze_dos_30_que_chegaram_hoje_a_Madeira_apresentaram_teste_e-ou_declaracao_sanitaria

Hotel Quinta do Estreito to reopen

Hotel Quinta do Estreito will reopen on the 29th of May, with a themed weekend devoted to children (in Portugal it will be Children’s Day on the 1st of June). Bookings and information requests can be made by email (
quintaestreito@charminghotelsmadeira.com) or telephone (965593421).

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/93711/Hotel_Quinta_do_Estreito_abre_a_29_de_maio