Situation Report Azores 29^th June – 30^th June 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
The Regional Health Authority has reported that, following 514 tests in the region in the last 24 hours, one new ‘positive’ case of “COVID-19” has been diagnosed on the island of São Miguel.
It’s a 42-year-old woman who isn’t an Azorean resident, she’d arrived in the ‘Archipelago’ by air from the mainland on June the 27th. Currently, she’s in a stable ‘clinical’ condition and the normal procedures, defined for confirmed cases, namely the ‘testing’ and ‘surveillance’ of close contacts have already taken place. She is in ‘quarantine’ where she first went following arrival.
To-date, 152 people have been infected with the virus “Covid-19” since the first ‘positive’ case was discovered in the Azores on the 15^th of March. 132 of them have recovered but sadly, 16 died, currently leaving just 4 ‘active’ cases, 3 on São Miguel and 1 on Terceira.

Situation Report Azores 28th June – 29th June 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
A fresh campaign, aimed at increasing the amount of ‘inter-island’ tourism within the ‘Archipelago’ to help ‘offset’ a fall in the number of visitors coming from outside, has attracted a great deal of interest.
The regional secretary of Energy, Environment and Tourism in the Azores, “Marta Guerreiro” says that there have already been more than 1,700 registrations under the scheme that subsidises Azorean holidays for residents in the region.
The program called “Viver os Açores” , “Living the Azores” was launched by the President of the Regional Government “Vasco Cordeiro” a couple of weeks ago.
To-date, 151 people have been infected with the virus “Covid-19” since the first ‘positive’ case was discovered in the Azores on the 15th of March. 132 of them have recovered but sadly, 16 died, currently leaving just 3 ‘active’ cases, 2 on São Miguel and 1 on Terceira.

Situation Report Azores 27^th June – 28^th June 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
The Regional Health Authority reports that the 654 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.
To-date, 151 people have been infected since the first ‘positive’ case was discovered on the 15^th of March. 132 of them have recovered but sadly, 16 died, currently leaving just 3 ‘active’ cases, 2 on São Miguel and 1 on Terceira.

Situation Report Azores 26^th June – 27^th June 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
The Regional Government of the Azores is planning to extend its network of “Covid-19” ‘testing’ laboratories to include continental Portugal from July the 1^st, in partnership with private and public sector laboratories. This will ‘streamline’ procedures and make it easier for people, travelling to the ‘Archipelago’.
They’ll be able to choose a laboratory where they intend to have their coronavirus screening test from the list of contracted laboratories, this will be published on the Azores Government Portal. The passenger must present proof of booking and payment for the trip between the mainland and the Azores.
According to Teresa Machado Luciano, these laboratories are required to carry out the test within 72 hours before the trip, and the result must be sent to the passenger and to the Regional Health Directorate before the flight departs. To-date, 151 people have been infected since the first ‘positive’ case was discovered on the 15^th of March. 132 of them have recovered but sadly, 16 died, currently leaving just 3 ‘active’ cases, 2 on São Miguel and 1 on Terceira.
Situation Report Azores 25^th June – 26^th June 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
The Regional Health Authority reported, yesterday afternoon, that following 661 tests in the region during the previous 24 hours, there were no new cases of the virus, “COVID-19”.
Following on from the case of a 27-year-old man who’d tested ‘positive’ on Tuesday but regardless, decided to travel back to the continent from where he’d come, 80 people in the ‘freguesia’ (parish) of “Ribeira Quente”, Povoacao on São Miguel, have, nevertheless, had to be tested for the virus. Those results are still awaited.
To-date, 151 people have been infected since the first ‘positive’ case was discovered on the 15^th of March. 132 of them have recovered but sadly, 16 died, currently leaving just 3 ‘active’ cases, 2 on São Miguel and 1 on Terceira.

Situation Report Azores 24^th June – 25^th June 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
The Regional Health Authority reported, yesterday, that an extra ‘positive’ case of the “COVID-19” virus was diagnosed on Tuesday, on the island of São Miguel but that the infected 27-year-old man returned to the mainland, from where he’s previously come, that same day. This was despite being ‘monitored’ and receiving the appropriate, correct ‘guidance’ from the Municipal Health Delegation. His earlier test had been ‘inconclusive’ but the 2 residents with whom he had stayed, received ‘negative’ results. Now, back on the continent, he’s in a stable ‘clinical’ situation and is being cared for by the “Concelhia” Health Delegation, there.
To date, 151 cases of infection have been detected in the ‘Archipelago’ since the first case was diagnosed on March the 15^th. 130 have recovered, 1 was sent back to the continent by the military from where he’d arrived, this new case allegedly returned by personal choice and sadly, 16 others have died. That leaves 3 ‘active’ cases, 2 on São Miguel and 1 on Terceira.
Away from the virus, the Maritime Authority has announced that it rescued a 48-year-old man from a cliff in the municipality of Lagoa on São Miguel, yesterday after being alerted at 09.45 hrs. (local time) that morning. He went ‘missing’ on June the 22^nd after setting out on a fishing trip. Rescue craft including an “SR39” vessel were launched from the Ponta Delgada Lifeboat Station and 40 minutes later, he was found in a ‘difficult to access’ high, rocky area next to the sea.
He was found, conscious but suffering from bruises and he had some difficulties, expressing himself. Several maritime organisations were involved in the rescue including Ponta Delgada’s firefighters and the Azores Regional Civil Protection Service.
The fisherman was transported by the rescue craft to the marina in Ponta Delgada and then taken to the hospital in an ambulance that was already waiting there.

Situation Report Azores 23rd June – 24th June 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
The Azorean Regional Health Authority reported, yesterday that there had been an increase in the number of ‘positive’ cases of “Covid-19” infection in the ‘Archipelago’ during the previous 24 hours, rising to 3 from just 1.
Both 2 new cases are men, aged 18 and 31, who’d recently landed at Ponta Delgada airport on a flight from mainland Portugal. One is resident in the Azores and the other, who lives in mainland Portugal, has a second home in the region. The two men are at their Azorean properties and are in ‘stable’ clinical conditions.

Everyone in the region is hoping that the regional government’s new ‘Arrivals’ policy continues to successfully identify ‘infected’ passengers so that the “Coronavirus” doesn’t get any opportunity to spread freely throughout communities. The cases are being monitored by the Municipal Health Delegation, and ‘prescribed’ procedures for ‘confirmed’ cases as well as ‘surveillance’ of close contacts is taking place.
So far, 150 cases of infection have been detected in the region since the first case was diagnosed on March the 15th. 130 have recovered and one of the ‘positive’ cases was sent back to the continent by the military from where he’d arrived. Sadly, 16 others died. 2 of the 3 current cases are on São Miguel, the 3rd is on Terceira.

Situation Report Azores 22^nd June – 23^rd June 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
The Azorean football team “Santa Clara” plus their 45 ‘supporting’ technical & training staff as well as club directors have all tested ‘negative’ for “Covid-19” in medical ‘tests’ before their game against “Benfica”, this evening.
The lab tests were carried out on Sunday, in compliance with the recommendations of the Portuguese Health Directorate (DGS), 48 hours before the scheduled start of their match at 18.15 hrs, Azores time, at the “Luz” stadium of “Benfica”. ‘Cidade do Futebol’ in Oeiras, on the outskirts of Lisbon, is a temporary ‘home from home’ for “Santa Clara” until the end of the championship because of the ‘pandemic’ and its associated travel risks.
“Benfica”, in first place with 64 points (the same as FC Porto), is playing Santa Clara, who are ninth with 35 points, in the 28th round of Portugal’s “Primeira Liga”.
148 cases of “Covid-19” have been detected in the Azores since the “Coronavirus” ‘crisis’ began on March the 15^th. Currently, taking account of all ‘recoveries’ and ‘deaths’, the ‘Archipelago’ has just one ‘active’ case.
Situation Report Azores 20^th June – 21^st June 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
The recent changes that came into force last Monday, the 15^th June, requiring incoming passengers who haven’t been tested before their departure to be tested here on São Miguel or Terceira, have revealed the first passenger who’s infected with “Covid-19”.
The 24-year-old man who isn’t a resident in the Azores, arrived on Friday, June the 19^th from the mainland. He was travelling with three other people, all of whom have tested ‘negative’ for the virus but are now, like him, ‘quarantined’. He’s in a stable ‘clinical’ condition and in local accommodation (Alojamento Local), being monitored by the Municipal Health Delegation, and using prescribed procedures for dealing with confirmed cases. Surveillance of close contacts are underway.
With this most recent case, 148 cases have been detected since the “Coronavirus” ‘crisis’ first began on March the 15^th. So currently, taking into account all ‘recoveries’ and ‘deaths’, the ‘Archipelago’ has one ‘active’ case.

Situation Report Azores 19^th June – 20^th June 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
The Regional Government of the Azores has become one of the founding members of the “Future of Tourism” coalition, an international initiative, promoting a ‘sustainable’ and ‘safe’ recovery of tourism as the world emerges from the problems caused by the “COVID-19” pandemic.
With a strong historic commitment to ‘sustainable’ tourism, respecting environmental, social, economic and cultural traditions, the Azores is one of the key ‘drivers’ in of this new global movement, made up by a wide range of government and non-government agencies like “Sustainable Travel International” and the “Global Council for Sustainable Tourism” (GSTC): https://www.futureoftourism.org/ .

Situation Report Azores 18^th June – 19^th June 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
The Government of the Azores said yesterday that it’s pleased to learn that the European Parliament has promised to allocate 8.2 million euros to help tackle some problems, created by Hurricane “Lorenzo” which ‘blasted’ through the ‘Archipelago’, last October, causing severe damage.
Winds, gusting at speeds of up to 204 km/h, ‘battered’ the region including the tiny island of “Flores”, causing flooding in houses & other buildings as well as extremely serious ‘structural’ damage to the port, “Lajes das Flores”. Other islands including “Corvo” were also, badly hit.
279 million has been ‘allocated’ by the European Union (EU) “Solidarity Fund” to help Austria, Portugal, Italy & Spain repair terrible damage, caused by a series of natural disasters in 2019.
Regarding the current worldwide “Coronavirus” ‘crisis’, the region still doesn’t have any ‘active’ cases of infection, having had a total of 146 ‘positive’ cases since it began on March the 15^th. There have been 130 ‘recoveries’ but sadly, 16 deaths to date

Situation Report Azores 17^th June – 18^th June 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
The president of the board of directors of the regional section of the ‘Order of Nurses’ in the Azores, Pedro Soares says that he’s concerned about the potential impact on health professionals of a second ‘wave’ of “Covid-19” in the ‘Archipelago’. He reckons that many of them are suffering from serious ‘tiredness’ because of working long hours, some had to work fifteen ‘12-hour shifts’ in a row because of a shortage of nursing staff. He acknowledges that the Azores isn’t the worst affected area in Portugal in terms of the number of nurses but adds that it’s close to the minimum, required and in some situations, there simply aren’t enough.
The correct number of nurses is ’prescribed’ by law but he says that this now needs to be reviewed, urgently in the light of the “Coronavirus” pandemic to maintain a ‘safe’ nurse/patient ratio.
Currently, the region continues without any ‘active’ cases of the virus, having had a total of 146 ‘positive’ cases since the health crisis began there on March the 15^th. There have been 130 ‘recoveries’ but sadly, 16 deaths to date.

Situation Report Azores 16^th June – 17^th June 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
The Regional Secretary for Energy, the Environment and Tourism announced that, as of today, Azoreans can take part in the new ‘inter-island’ tourism campaign ‘Viver os Açores’ which lasts until December 31, 2020. The slogan for the promotion is ‘ From your island, discover the Archipelago! Come with us, Live the Azores’.
€1,750,000 have been allocated to finance the initiative which is open to all Azorean residents over 2 years of age who live permanently on one of the islands and have the required ID documents.
The offer is for one trip, only, per person and 50% of the cost will be refunded, up to a maximum of €150.00 per person plus an extra 25 euros if a car is hired. The minimum requirements are as follows:
Visiting a different island than the ‘home’ island.
Passage by air or sea.
Three night stay minimum, hotel, AL, hostel or equal.
Three meals to be eaten, min. €15.00
One excursion, min. €30.00
After returning home, the invoices can be submitted for reimbursement directly to a nominated account.
All information about this special ‘promotional’ offer, aimed at ‘kick-starting tourism can be found here: http://viverosacores.azores.gov.pt/
Currently, there are still no ‘active’ cases of infection in the ‘Archipelago’, having had a total of 146 since March the 15^th. That number was recently adjusted downwards from 147, following the return of a soldier who’d arrived ‘infected’, back to the mainland from where he’d flown.

Situation Report Azores 15^th June – 16^th June 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
SATA “Azores Airlines” started flying between the Portuguese mainland and the Azores once again, yesterday. The airport ‘links’ stopped in March because of the “Coronavirus” ‘crisis’ but now there are flights between Lisbon and Porto to São Miguel and the island of Terceira.
SATA “Air Azores” has been set a ‘deadline’ of July 15th for the regional airline’s ‘return to normal’ for flights between the islands of Faial, Pico and Santa Maria and Lisbon, under its ‘public service’ obligations.
“TAP”, the Portuguese ‘national flag’ carrier didn’t stop flying to the region, even at the height of the ‘pandemic’ and they’re continuing to do so.
“Ryanair” plans to resume its flights to and from the Azores later this month.
Currently, there are no ‘active’ cases of infection in the ‘Archipelago’, having had a total of 146 since March the 15^th. That number was recently adjusted downwards from 147, following the return of a soldier who’d arrived ‘infected’, back to the mainland from where he’d flown.
So, the official figures now confirm this. In summary, there have been 130 ‘recoveries’ and sadly, 16 deaths to date.

Situation Report Azores 14^th June – 15th June 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
The President of the Regional Government “Vasco Cordeiro” has announced a new program called “Viver os Açores” , “Living the Azores”, aimed at increasing the amount of ‘inter-island’ tourism. It is hoped that this will help to offset a fall in the number of visitors coming from outside the ‘Archipelago’.
Details about this new ‘bid’ to develop greater ‘domestic’ tourism among locals, encouraging them to visit a different island than the one where they live, are being announced this week. It’s expected that there will be a wide range of ‘incentives’ to encourage people to travel more throughout the region including special promotions, tied in with flights, transport, accommodation, meals, excursions, culture and entertainment.
Meanwhile, there is more ‘good news’ on the “Coronavirus” front with the Azores, continuing to stay “Covid-19” ‘free’!
Currently, there are no ‘active’ cases of infection, having had a total of 146 since March the 15^th. That number was recently adjusted downwards from 147, following the return of a soldier who’d arrived ‘infected’, back to the mainland from where he’d flown.
So, the official figures now confirm this. In summary, there have been 130 ‘recoveries’ and sadly, 16 deaths to date.

Situation Report Azores 13^th June – 14th June 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
The Deputy Regional Secretary of the Presidency for Parliamentary Affairs “Berto Messias”, yesterday, outlined how the nine-island ‘Archipelago’ will gradually be relaxing the rules, put in place to combat “Coronavirus”.
There are new regulations for passengers arriving in the region; Options 1) & 2) have changed, the former option 3) has been scrapped but option 4) remains the same as before. So, now, travellers need to:

1. Provide ‘paper-based’ proof, issued by an accredited laboratory, confirming a ‘negative’ test in the 72 hours prior to flight departure from the airport of origin. If a stay is for one week only, no further action is required but if it’s a longer trip, an additional test is required on ‘Day 6’. The local health authority needs to be contacted to arrange the new test and the result will be given within 24 hours.
2. Be ‘tested’ on arrival in the region by the local health authority and remain in isolation at home or at a ‘chosen’ accommodation until the test result is made available, after 12 hours in the case of the islands of São Miguel and Terceira. Again, if a stay is for one week only, no further action is required but if it’s a longer trip, an additional test is required on ‘Day 6’. The local health authority needs to be contacted to arrange the new test and the result will be given within 24 hours.
3. Not applicable.
4. Return to their destination of origin or any other destination outside the region.

For passengers arriving at either one of the airports on “São Miguel” or “Terceira” but with a final ‘destination’ on another island in the region, there are just 2 options:
1) They present proof of having had a ‘negative’ test, prior to boarding their flight to the Azores and, in this case, they can continue their journey to their destination.
2) They have a test on ‘arrival’ in the Azores, in which case, before proceeding to their final destination, they must wait for the result at their ‘own’ place on the ‘landing’ island or at a hotel, designated for the purpose and paid for by the regional government. Only after obtaining a ‘negative’ result, can they continue their trip.
‘Arriving’ passengers will be given information, explaining the rules, written in English, French, German, Portuguese & Spanish.
The region does not currently have any ‘active’ cases of infection, having had a total of 146 ‘positive’ cases since the “Coronavirus” crisis began on March the 15^th. There have been 130 ‘recoveries’ but sadly, 16 deaths to date.
Situation Report Azores 12^th June – 13^th June 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
The Portuguese “Institute of the Sea and the Atmosphere” (Instituto Portugues do Mar e Atmosfera) has issued a ‘yellow’ warning for the islands in the Eastern and Central groups of the Azores, heavy rain is forecast, starting Saturday morning.
In the Central group there will be rain and the possibility of a thunderstorm. The warning is in place from 06:00 to 21.00 on Saturday.
For islands in the Eastern group, the warning will be in effect between 9 am and 9 pm on Saturday.
80 prisoners in the region have been released on licence because of the covid-19 crisis. One of them has been returned to prison on burglary charges!
In the last 24 hours, no new ‘positive’ cases of infection have been detected in the region.
There have now been 146 ‘positive’ cases since the ‘outbreak’ began on March the 15^th with 130 ‘recoveries’, 16 deaths and currently there are no active cases.

Situation Report Azores 11^th June – 12^th June 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
The 28 year-old man who arrived on Terceira, testing ‘positive’ for “Covid-19”, the day before yesterday, has been returned by the military to his home in mainland Portugal. The decision was taken by the section of the ‘armed forces’ where he works. It was decided that it would be better for him to recover at his family ‘home’.
Meanwhile, another passenger who disembarked in São Miguel from the same military flight, tested ‘negative’ for the virus but still stays in ‘quarantine’ at military facilities. There were seven other passengers on the trip; five of them have also returned to the continent while two are staying on Terceira in ‘quarantine’, one at home and one in the military base, there.
In the last 24 hours, no new ‘positive’ cases of infection have been detected in the region.
So, in summary, there have now been 147 ‘positive’ cases since the ‘outbreak’ began on March the 15^th with 130 ‘recoveries’, 16 deaths and currently there are no active cases.

Report Azores 10^th June – 11^th June 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
The nine-island ‘Archipelago’ of the Azores has lost its ‘hard-won’ “Covid-19” ‘virus-free’ status with the announcement, yesterday, of 1 new ‘positive’ case of the infectious disease in the region.
It happened on Tuesday the 9^th of June when a ‘military’ flight, carrying 9 passengers and originating in mainland Portugal, arrived on the island of Terceira via Ponta Delgada on São Miguel with a 28-year-old man, testing ‘positive’ for ‘Coronavirus’, on arrival. He’s in a stable ‘clinical’ situation and is being monitored by the health department, there. People who came into close contact with the man are being ‘tracked’ and ‘traced’. Currently, tests are being analysed for one of the passengers who disembarked in Ponta Delgada.
So, a 5-day ‘break’ from any infection in the region has now been marred by this new case on the island of Terceira, the only island within the group to have an ‘active’ case.
In summary, there have now been 147 ‘positive’ cases since the ‘outbreak’ began on March the 15^th with 130 ‘recoveries’, 16 deaths plus the 1 new case.

Report Azores 9^th June – 10^th June 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
The President of the Regional Government Vasco Cordeiro has announced the ‘go-ahead’ for a six-and-a-half million euros investment in the new “Port of Topo” at the east end of the island of São Jorge.
The ‘works’, to improve the safety and operational conditions of the “Porto do Topo”, will be of great benefit to the fishing industry there as well as to ‘maritime’ tourism.
Improvements include a 60-metre long jetty, a 40-metre long ‘mooring’ area, re-paving of the current pier with the provision of an ‘embankment’ of around 1,200 square meters.
Vasco Cordeiro was in São Jorge as part of his ‘whistle-stop’ tour of the ‘Archipelago’ following the first, successful ‘phase’ in the battle against the “Coronavirus” pandemic.
The Regional Health Authority reports that the 310 tests carried out in the last 24 hours have not revealed any new ‘positive’ cases of “Covid-19” so currently, the region continues to remain completely ‘virus-free’.

Situation Report Azores 8^th June – 9^th June 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
The regional government of the Azores says that it’s very flattered to have been praised for its “Covid-19” efforts by the President of the Republic “Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa” who visited the municipality of “Nordeste” on Sunday the 7^th of June. That ‘Câmara’ has been the worst affected in the region by “Coronavirus” with 54 registered, ‘positive’ cases and sadly, 12 deaths.
The Regional Health Authority reports that the 219 tests carried out in the last 24 hours have not revealed any new ‘positive’ cases of “Covid-19” and the region continues to remain ‘virus-free’.

Situation Report Azores 7^th June – 8^th June 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
The President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, valued today the “happy moment” that the Azores live in combating the covid-19 pandemic, presenting no active case, “a situation very rare in Europe and in the world “.
“I was able to follow the path of the Azoreans. Up to this moment, which is a happy moment for everyone, as there is no active case, a very rare situation in Europe and in the world,” said the head of state, speaking in the municipality of Nordeste, on the island of São Miguel.
This municipality, with 12 of the 16 dead registered in the region by covid-19, is today being honored by Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, who has already promised the locals to return in August, although “as a citizen” and not as President.
“We know that viruses do not disappear. Knowing that there may be a case here if there, this does not prevent steps being taken, as long as they are sensible and cautious, open, both in the economy and in society,” he continued, before praising the added value of the Azores as a tourist spot for the summer of this year.
In total, 146 cases of infection by the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which causes Covid-19, have been detected in the region so far, with 130 recovered and 16 deaths. There were no new cases or deaths.
There were 386 new tests all of which were negative.

AZORES 7th June – from our volunteer in the Azores
The President of the Portuguese Republic “Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa” is flying to São Miguel, today to visit the municipality of “Nordeste” that recorded the most “Covid-19”cases & deaths, more than a third, in the ‘Archipelago’. The visit was planned on Friday, the first day that the Azores became ‘virus-free´ in nearly 3 months!
Around 5,000 people live in “Nordeste” that’s ‘home’ to the ‘virus-troubled’ residential care facility for the elderly “Santa Casa da Misericórdia” from where, sadly, 12 old folk died including the first “Covid-19” victim, an 88-year-old who got infected at the “Divino Espirito Santo” hospital in Ponta Delgada.
Since the beginning of the outbreak, around 25 thousand “Covid-19” tests were carried out, prior to the region having no ‘active’ cases on June the 5^th.
Situation Report Azores 5^th June – 6^th June 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
The Azores is “Coronavirus” ‘free’ for the first time in nearly 3 months, namely since the 15^th of March! There have been no ‘registered’ new ‘positive’ cases of infection since the 18th of May and today, it was announced that the last ‘active’ case, a 40-year-old woman on São Miguel, had ‘recovered’ from “Covid-19”.
The President of the Regional Government “Vasco Cordeiro” wrote on “Facebook”, “This is excellent news and I want, first of all, to congratulate the Azorean people and all those who made this extraordinary victory possible”.
Nevertheless, he stressed that while the region has travelled a “long and arduous path” to fight the pandemic, that path “has not yet ended”. He continued, “It is not over because we must always bear in mind the probability of new cases arising”.
The Regional Health Authority has also highlighted the need to maintain preventive measures because with the ‘re-opening’ of the economy and the return of flight connections with the outside world, clearly there’s an increased possibility of new cases of “Covid-19” arriving in the ‘Archipelago’.
Since the beginning of the outbreak, there have been 146 cases of “Covid-19’ infection on six islands in the archipelago; 130 have recovered but sadly, 16 people have died.

Situation Report Azores 4^th June – 5^th June 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
Currently, the Azores is considered ‘one of the safest destinations in Europe in 2020’. It’s been chosen by the travel organisation, “European Best Destinations” that connects tourism offices throughout Europe with the world’s travellers, as one of the best places to visit during the “Coronavirus” crisis:
https://www.europeanbestdestinations.com/best-of-europe/coronavirus-safest-holiday-destinations/
This distinction is based on its ‘tourism’ health initiatives like the “Clean & Safe Azores” ‘seal of approval’, given to businesses that achieve a high standard of ‘cleanliness’, the lack of ‘active’ infection cases and the quality and availability of good local health services.
For the Azorean government, this is an extremely important acknowledgement of the measures that have been taken and for the Azoreans themselves, deserved recognition for the way they’ve complied with various new health regulations.
“Taking into account the ‘new normality’ that we live in, being considered ‘one of the safest destinations in Europe in 2020’ is a source of pride in the work, done so far”, said the Regional Secretary for Energy, Environment and Tourism “Marta Guerreiro”.
She added, “This is one of the best recognitions we could receive this year, motivating us to continue the path we have taken in the fight against the pandemic of COVID-19 and in the resumption of tourist activity”,
She also pointed out that Azorean business people “have shown themselves prepared to receive tourists, interested in the Azores, ‘safely’”.
Another reason why the ‘Archipelago’ has received this international distinction is that the Azores is seen as a perfect destination for travellers who want to ‘connect’ with nature; hiking, enjoying wonderful flora, fauna & unspoilt countryside, dolphin & whale-watching trips, tasting a wide & interesting range of local food and drink plus experiencing ‘real’ & ‘authentic’ traditions.
“European Best Destinations” has previously recognised the Azores as ‘The Most Beautiful Landscape in Europe’ and as ‘The Best Destination for Dolphin and Whale Watching in Europe’.
In total, 146 cases of infection have been detected in the region since the ‘outbreak’ began on March the 15th with 129 ‘recoveries’ and 16 deaths, leaving just 1 ‘positive’ case on São Miguel. There have been no new cases since the 18^th of May, that’s now 18 days-running!

Situation Report Azores 3^rd June – 4^th June 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
The Regional Secretary of Health has delivered new ‘safety’ equipment to the ‘Voluntary’ Fire Brigade of “Angra do Heroísmo”. It includes 10 pieces of breathing apparatus and a special ‘spray’ cleaning machine for disinfecting the surfaces of ambulances.
Teresa Machado Luciano said these fire-fighters on the island of Terceira are the first to receive this new equipment but there are plans for all 17 fire departments in the region to have it.
Meanwhile “Azores Airlines” has completed a fresh ‘repatriation’ flight between Lisbon and the city of “Praia” on “Santiago” island in Cabo Verde. Like the ones in April and May, it was a ‘chartered’ flight, carrying Cape Verdean and Portuguese people who’d been stranded abroad because of “Coronavirus” flight restrictions, back to their respective home countries. Medical equipment was also on board.
Staying with “Covid-19” news, there been one more ‘recovery’ on the island of São Miguel, a 45-year-old woman who worked at the ‘virus-troubled’ residential care home “Santa Casa da Misericórdia” in Nordeste from where 12 people, sadly, died.
That means that now, the municipality of Nordeste has no ‘active’ cases and also, the last & biggest, local ‘transmission’ chain has been eliminated.
In total, 146 cases of infection have been detected in the Region since the ‘outbreak’ began on March the 15th with 129 ‘recoveries’ and 16 deaths, leaving just 1 ‘positive’ case on São Miguel, the very last in the entire region!

Situation Report Azores 2nd June – 3rd June 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
The President of the Regional Government of the Azores “Vasco Cordeiro” has started a ‘whistle-stop’ tour of the ‘Archipelago’, now that inter-island flights and several sea connections have been re-established, to discuss plans for ‘economic recovery’ throughout the region with local leaders.
Yesterday, on the island of Terceira, he had a meeting with the President of Angra do Heroísmo, Álamo Meneses when they agreed that, ‘the way the region deals with the “Coronavirus” pandemic is critically important for the safe resumption of tourism’.
In summary, a total of 146 cases of infection have been detected in the region since March 15^th. There have been 128 recoveries and 16 deaths, leaving just 2 ‘active’ cases, both on the island of São Miguel.
Meanwhile, there were another four earth tremors felt, overnight and up until the early afternoon, yesterday, in the municipality of Povoação on São Miguel.
Each one was stronger than the previous; the first at 00.51 hrs measured 1.8 on the “Richter” scale, the second at 02.34 hrs was 2.3, the third at 11.10 hrs was 2.4 and the last, most powerful one at 13.36 hrs. was 2.5.

The epicentres of the first three ‘quakes’ were 7 kms (SSW), 5 kms (SW) and 6 kms (S) from “Faial da Terra” and the ‘origin’ of the last was about 5 km south of Povoação itself:
Earth tremors of this magnitude are common in the Azores and seldom cause any damage.
http://www.ivar.azores.gov.pt/Paginas/home-cvarg.aspx

Situation Report Azores 1st June – 2nd June 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
An earthquake with a magnitude of 4.7 on the “Richter” scale was felt, early yesterday morning, on the island of “São Miguel”. Its epicentre was about 19 kilometres E.N.E. of the “Formigas”, a small group of uninhabited islets between “São Miguel” and “Santa Maria”, popular ‘fishing grounds’ for both islands.
The ‘quake’ was felt most strongly in “Nordeste” and its surrounding eastern towns and villages and less so, in the west. There are no reports of any damage to people or buildings. It was a bank holiday here, “Azores Day” so most folk would have been ‘at home’.
Two earth tremors followed. One of 2.5 on the Richter was recorded at 09.31 hrs just of the south coast to the east of the island and another at 9:54 am local time (10:54 am in Lisbon), with a magnitude of 2.4 (Richter) with an epicentre about 4 kms south-south-southwest of Povoação.
There were no damage or casualties reported. Earthquakes are common in the Azores.
https://www.volcanodiscovery.com/earthquakes/quake-info/2816222/M4-Mon-1-Jun-Azores-Islands-Region-Portugal.html
A total of 146 cases of infection have been detected in the region since March 15^th. There, have been 128 recoveries and 16 deaths, leaving just 2 ‘active’ cases, both on the island of São Miguel.