Portugal Situation Report Wednesday 30th June 2021
Good morning – Certainly the highlight of the week has been the publication of the Government Order around 17:00 hrs on Sunday evening, concerning new travel rules for those entering Portugal from various countries including UK, effective midnight Sunday night.
It was clear from the content that this would affect many people, especially those from the UK with families, as there is a requirement that those without a full vaccination, would need to go into quarantine. It was obvious at the time this would cause considerable difficulties for those with children classified as minors, who were over 12 years old, but could not be vaccinated because of their age group.
We found ourselves in a position, which I hope you fully appreciate, that there was no news of this at the time anywhere in the media, or on social media groups, but it was important to publish the law asap so people were aware even if the answers were not there. We therefore published and as a result we have to date received some 830 comments (mainly questions) which we have done our best to answer – where we can do so – in other words where there are answers!
We have been in close contact with the British Consular team (British Embassy) since Sunday night and thank them because, clearly, they need answers as well and are trying their best to clarify certain points with the Portuguese Government.
The fact that the notice was so short and information incomplete, does not in our view reflect well on the Portuguese Government communication in issues such as this.
The latest on this is that Visit Portugal on their website has updated last night their information which states that “Children under the age of 18 do not need to be isolated as long as the accompanying adults have provided proof of full vaccination for at least 14 days”. As this news is on the official Government tourism website, which has been widely shared, we have therefore shared this as an update, subject to any further news.
This, and the fact that we had an important Government meeting yesterday on the subject of the problems some of you have had in obtaining vaccines, has occupied much of our time – hence this shorter than usual newsletter.
Regarding the vaccination situation we are undertaking some initial follow up and hope to publish something very shortly. We are now more optimistic that some of these issues can be resolved.
A reminder that the new EU digital Vaccination Certificate is launched tomorrow for international travel within the EU. In Portugal, it is already in place for use internally.
The EU’s COVID Digital Certificate aims to facilitate safe and free movement in the European Union during the Covid-19 pandemic, promoting the non-applicability of additional measures and restrictions imposed by the destination country during a trip, including testing and quarantine procedures/mandatory prophylactic isolation required on arrival in the country of destination. However, you should consult the restrictions on movement imposed by the country of destination, before your journey.
Anyone who wants to travel around the EU and wants to gain access to certain internal events would be eligible to get the certificate. You don’t need to have had both vaccines to qualify, there are three types of certificate. Certificate: a. Vaccination Certificate; b. Test certificate; c. Recovery certificate. To access the certificate go to the SNS24 website.
Please also see the article in the report warning of chaos in the roll out of the certificate within Europe.
Brits in Portugal have announced on their Facebook page that today, 30th June, they are holding one to one calls to enable those still struggling to register for healthcare to get some further advice. Perhaps you have doubts about your cover in Portugal, or maybe you aren’t sure about how you’ll be covered in the future? Talk with a member of their healthcare team and they will do their best to advise you further. The session is between 2-3:30pm local time. Please visit their Facebook page.
Have a Safe Day.
Covid-19
The Covid-19 Report to yesterday is as follows;
Confirmed Cases: 877.195 (+ 1746)
Number of admitted: 492 (- 10)
Number of ICU admitted: 119 (+4)
Deaths: 17.092 (+ 6)
Recovered: 827.969 (+1,677)
Active cases: 32,134 (+ 63)
Comment
A very large number of news cases offset by a large number of recoveries meant that a there was the smallest increase in active cases for some time. It was good to see a reduction in Covid-19 patients after a period of daily increases.
Health
Vaccinations
Vaccination report against Covid-19, released this Tuesday by the General Directorate of Health (DGS), reveals that 52% of the population already has at least one dose of the vaccine and 32% has completed the vaccination.
With regard to age groups, the highlight goes to the age group between 50 –64 years, which already has 85% (1,847,758) with a dose and 51% with full vaccination (1,103,443).
It should be recalled that the Minister of Health defended today that the goals on group immunity to Covid-19 must be “revised and updated” given the dynamics of transmission of the infection and the emergence of new variants such as Delta .
Digital certificate. Brussels warns Berlin that travel ban applied to Portugal is not in line with what was agreed.
The EU’s intention was for the EU’s Covid Digital Certificate to restore free movement within the 27 countries, but days before the pass officially goes into effect – on 1 July – Germany has already stopped dead. Portugal joins the United Kingdom on the black list that Germany created for risk variants. The European Commission criticizes the measure, which it does not consider to be in line with the guidelines of the community executive, and has already asked the EU Council – chaired by Portugal until Wednesday – to start a debate on the matter between the various member states. Brussels recalls that tests and quarantines should first be imposed, not a travel ban.
Germany informed Brussels, this Tuesday, that it considers Portugal a circulation zone for the virus variant, and that it will use the “emergency brake”. “This is an issue that will have to be discussed with member states,” said Community Executive forJjustice spokesman, Christian Wigand.
Berlin has imposed a ban on travel from Portugal to Germany, even for those who have full vaccinations or a certificate. There are, in fact, few exceptions provided: airlines can transport Germans and residents, but on arrival in German territory they will have to comply with quarantine.
“On Monday, European Commissioners Didier Reynders, Thierry Breton and Stella Kyriakides [of Justice, Internal Market and Health, respectively] sent a letter to the 27 EU Member States calling for a timely and consistent implementation of the recommendation on the coordination of restrictions on free movement in the EU and on the EU’s Covid-19 digital certificate,” he added.
EU airlines, airports warn digital COVID-19 certificate roll-out risks chaos.
DUBLIN, June 28 (Reuters) – Groups representing Europe’s largest airlines and airports have warned of chaos and hours-long queues unless countries better co-ordinate the roll-out of the EU’s digital COVID-19 certificate and ensure passengers are processed before arriving at airports.
The European Union’s system of digital COVID-19 travel certificates is due to come into force on Thursday, but airports group ACI and airlines representative bodies A4E, IATA and ERA warned in a letter to EU national leaders of a “worrying patchwork of approaches” across the continent.
“As passenger traffic increases in the coming weeks, the risk of chaos at European Airports is real,” the groups said in the joint letter sent on Monday and seen by Reuters.
The digital certificates are designed to show, via QR codes, whether passengers are fully vaccinated, have immunity due to recent recovery from COVID-19 or have had a negative test.
They are designed to be used for travel throughout the EU from July 1, but would require extra checks and the right equipment to read the codes.
The letter said the only way to avoid huge queues and delays during the peak summer season was to implement a system whereby both the vaccination certificate and passenger locator forms are processed remotely before the passenger arrives at the airport.
Travel cancellations.
About 5.5 million airline tickets were cancelled in 2020 by airlines operating in Portugal, of which 40% of passengers were not reimbursed in cash because they received vouchers, are awaiting settlement or remained unresolved.
The data is from the European Court of Auditors (TCE), which in a report released today concludes that “the rights of air transport passengers in the European Union were left on the ground during the Covid-19 pandemic, namely in Portugal , due to successive cancellations and restrictions.
With regard to the country, data from the TCE reveals that, in 2020, 5.5 million tickets were cancelled by the main carriers operating in Portugal, affecting about “87% of passengers on flights to or from Portugal”.
Of the total cancelled tickets in Portugal, the ECA points out that close to 60% (3.3 million) was reimbursed in cash to passengers during the year 2020.
However, another 28% (1.6 million tickets) were converted into vouchers for later use, “with no guarantee that passengers would agree”, while about 5% (more than 300,000 tickets) were unresolved by the end last year and almost 7% (360,000 tickets) were related to cases where passengers did not claim a refund or find a possibility of re-routing.
The latter concerned, in particular, tickets from low-cost airlines, which, due to the low price, meant that passengers did not seek a solution.
With regard to the deadlines for refunding tickets in Portugal , the TCE points out that they varied depending on the airline, and “increased exponentially after March 2020”, reaching a peak between June and September (between 31 and 59 days).
Government creates technical commission to study alternative law to State of Emergency.
The Technical Committee brings together representatives of the PGR, the Ombudsman and the National School of Public Health. In functions from July 1st until November – the commission will study the elaboration of a new legal framework to guard against future pandemic situations. Objective: to avoid resorting to the State of Emergency provided for in the Constitution, which was not designed to respond to prolonged health emergency situations.
The idea was approached by the Government a few months ago in meetings with the PSD, but it did not go ahead: to create a law that allows the Government and Parliament to act in a pandemic crisis scenario (restricting rights and freedoms) without it being the State of Emergency law that must be approved every 15 days. At the time, nothing was done, but the Government, however, did not give up on the idea and now moves forward with the same intention – without “precipitation” and with the objective of safeguarding “unwanted” future situations.
To this end, the Prime Minister’s office announced in a statement, the Government created a Technical Commission with representatives from the Attorney General’s Office and the Ombudsman’s Office, with a view to reviewing the current legal framework based on the experience during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The commission has a starting date of 1 July and a duration of 4 months. According to the same note, the commission will be composed of the retired Judge Adviser António Henriques Gaspar, who will be the President; by the Deputy Attorney General João Possante, representing the Attorney General of the Republic; by Ravi Afonso Pereira, representing the Ombudsman; and by Professor Alexandre Abrantes, Professor at the National School of Public Health.
Spain
Covid-19: Spain requires Brits to be vaccinated or PCR negative from Friday.
Tourists arriving in Spain from the UK and Ireland will be required to show from Friday a certificate of vaccination against Covid-19 or a negative PCR test.
The measure was published today in the Official State Bulletin (BOE) and will be in effect until July 31 and will only start being applied on Friday to give British tour operators and tourists time to adapt to the new rules, justified the Prime Minister Spanish, Pedro Sánchez.
The rule was approved as a precautionary measure given the “negative evolution” of the cumulative incidence in 14 days in the United Kingdom, which is “far above” the 150 cases, according to the head of the Spanish government.
Region Reports
Madeira Situation Report Wednesday 30th June 2021 by our Special Correspondent, Daniel Fernandes.
Covid-19 update
There were 30 new Covid-19 cases, 27 recoveries and 1 deaths from Covid-19 in Madeira since the previous Madeira Situation Report. This was the first death from Covid-19 in over a month.
On Saturday, there were 7 new Covid-19 cases (from 1 passenger who had arrived from the Lisbon and Tagus Valley Region and 6 cases of local transmission) and 11 recoveries. The number of patients in hospital decreased to 4, although none were in intensive care.
On Sunday, there were 5 new Covid-19 cases (all cases of local transmission) and 5 recoveries. The number of patients in hospital decreased to 3, although none were in intensive care.
On Monday, there were 3 new Covid-19 cases (from 1 passenger who had arrived from Russia and 2 cases of local transmission) and 7 recoveries. The number of patients in hospital remained 3, with none in intensive care.
And on Tuesday, there were 15 new Covid-19 cases (from 1 passenger who had arrived from Venezuela, 3 passengers who had arrived from the Lisbon and Tagus Valley Region and 11 cases of local transmission), 4 recoveries and 1 death. A 77 year old male patient, who had pre-existing conditions, died with Covid-19 at Hospital Dr. Nélio Mendonça. The number of patients in hospital decreased to 1 and, once again, there were no patients in intensive care.
There were 67 active cases on Tuesday, of which 16 had been imported while the other 51 cases had been a result of local transmission. As of Tuesday, there had been 9,642 cases, 9,502 recoveries and 73 deaths.
On Tuesday, there were 11 patients in isolation in a dedicated hotel, 55 patients in isolation in their own accommodation and 1 patients in hospital, none of whom in intensive care.
On the same day, there were 65 suspected cases under epidemiological investigation and analysis, which were all linked to patients who tested positive for Covid-19, to calls made to the SRS24 helpline, to referrals by SESARAM (Madeira Regional Health Service) and to airport screening.
There were 24,735 travellers under monitoring by the health authorities. Monitoring is being carried out through the ‘MadeiraSafe’ app. There were also 376 people, who had contact with positive cases, being monitored by the health authorities of several Madeira municipalities and of Porto Santo.
As for Covid-19 testing on passengers who had arrived at Funchal and Porto Santo airports, 244,555 samples had been collected until Tuesday (at 15h30). By Tuesday, 494,515 samples from RT-PCR tests had been processed and 72,632 antigen rapid tests had been carried out in the Autonomous Region of Madeira.
The SRS 24 helpline (Regional Health Service – 800 24 24 20) received 456 calls from Friday to Tuesday. Overall, it had received 54,497 calls.
The Covid-19 mental health helpline (Linha de Acompanhamento Psicológico da Direção Regional de Saúde – 291 212 399 – available every day from 09h00 to 21h00), which was set up to provide emotional and mental support to anyone in Madeira received 18 calls from Friday to Tuesday. Overall, it has received 3,689 calls.
https://funchalnoticias.net/2021/06/26/7-novos-casos-de-covid-19-11-recuperados-71-suspeitos/
https://funchalnoticias.net/2021/06/28/3-novos-casos-de-covid-19-7-recuperados-26-suspeitos-na-ram/
Vaccination update
As of June 27th, 209,905 Covid-19 vaccine doses (121,186 1st doses & 88,719 2nd doses/full vaccinations) had been administered in the Autonomous Region of Madeira since the start of the Covid-19 vaccination campaign. This means that by that day, 48% of the population had been inoculated with the 1st vaccine dose while 35% of the population had been fully vaccinated.
A total of 16,200 vaccine doses (12,544 1st doses & 3,656 2nd doses) were administered in the previous week (ending on June 27th).
The plan for this week is to continue the Covid-19 vaccination campaign throughout the Region, with the highlight being the strengthening of the campaign in the municipalities of Câmara de Lobos and Santa Cruz.
According to the latest figures, 214,570 Covid-19 vaccine doses (214,570 1st doses & 214,570 2nd doses/full vaccinations) had been administered in the Region. The aim is to fully vaccinate 175,000 people so as to achieve community protection.
The Region is scheduled to receive a shipment of 7,000 Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccine doses on Friday.
https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/133112/Porto_Santo_vacina_mais_905_pessoas
https://web.sesaram.pt/COVID19_INFO
Additional ferry services between Funchal and Porto Santo
Porto Santo Line (ferry company) informed there will be additional ferry services on July 4th. The aim is to provide passengers with more options so as to increase travel to Porto Santo. The new ferry schedule on that day will be:
Funchal to Porto Santo – 08h00 & 16h30 (additional service)
Porto Santo – Funchal – 13h00 (additional service) & 20h00
Passengers wishing to change their bookings may do so by visiting the office at Avenida do Mar e das Comunidades Madeirenses, number 20 (open Monday-Friday from 08h30 to 18h00 & on Saturdays from 09h00 to 12h30 and 14h00 to 20h00), the office at Rua D. Estevão de Alencastre, Loja 6/7, Porto Santo (open Monday-Friday from 09h00 to 12h30), by calling 291 210 300 (Monday to Friday – 09h00-12h30 & 14h00-18h00) or by sending an email to infopsl@gruposousa.pt
https://funchalnoticias.net/2021/06/28/porto-santo-line-abre-viagens-extraordinarias-a-4-de-julho/
Water supply disruption TODAY
There will be a water supply disruption TODAY, from 09h30 to 13h00, in the parish (freguesia) of São Pedro. It will affect the following areas: Beco dos Arrifes, Levada dos Moinhos & Beco da Levada dos Moinhos.
https://funchalnoticias.net/2021/06/29/cmf-avisa-para-corte-de-agua-na-freguesia-de-sao-pedro-6/
Power cut
Empresa de Electricidade da Madeira (Madeira power supplier) announced there will be power cuts due to planned work on the electricity supply network. These works cannot be postponed and will take place in the following days and places:
FUNCHAL – June 30th – 09h00 to 11h30 & 14h00 to 16h00 (TODAY)
– Caminho do Meio (numbers 5 to 56)
June 30th – 10h00 to 11h00 (TODAY)
– Estrada Comandante Camacho de Freitas (numbers 668 to 789)
– Caminho de Água de Mel (number 108)
– Vereda do Calhau (numbers 5 to 17)
July 1st – 00h00 to 07h00
– Caminho Novo da Levada da Corujeira
– Caminho dos Tornos
– Travessa do Tanque
– Travessa da Casa Branca
– Beco da Levada da Corujeira
– Beco do Chapeludo
– Beco dos Ausentes
– Beco da Brangala
– Escadas do Feijão
– Escadinhas dos Saltos
– Urbanização Escola do Tanque
July 2nd – 00h00 to 06h00
– Rua do Alto do Pico (up to number 7)
– Rua dos Frias (numbers 22 to 88)
– Rua João Serra Velez Caroço (number 11)
– Travessa dos Frias (number 26)
– 2ª Travessa dos Frias
– Escadas dos Frias
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.
Algarve Situation Report Wednesday 30th June 2021
Covid-19: Algarve with 32 active outbreaks and schools with the highest number of cases.
Faro, June 29, 2021 (Lusa) – Until Sunday, the Algarve recorded 32 active outbreaks of Covid-19, most of which originated in work, school and parties, and in schools where more cases were confirmed, a document indicates that the Lusa had access today.
According to the document from the regional health authorities, the schools had a total of eight active outbreaks, which allowed the identification of 88 cases of infection by the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, most of which in the Padre Cabanita 2nd and 3rd cycle elementary school, in Loulé (29 cases), and at the Areal Gordo Basic School and Kindergarten, in Faro (21).
In the labour context, 10 active outbreaks were recorded, four of which in hotels, with a total of 50 confirmed cases of Covid-19 having been registered until Sunday in companies in Albufeira, Loulé, Portimão, Lagos, Olhão and Tavira.
The parties and social gatherings in the Algarve led to five outbreaks of Covid-19, with 51 infected, 10 of which in a social gathering on Ilha da Culatra, in Faro, and there were also outbreaks originating in meetings in restaurants in Loulé, Olhão and Lagos.
On Monday, more than 1,300 students from 52 classes in the five municipalities in the Algarve where classroom classes were suspended, were in isolation, according to the Algarve Health delegate, Ana Cristina Guerreiro, told Lusa.
The decision to switch to non-face-to-face teaching, until the end of the school year, in 1st and 2nd cycle schools in the municipalities of the Central Algarve – Faro, Loulé, Albufeira, Olhão and São Brás de Alportel – was announced in the Sunday afternoon, due to the epidemiological “severity of the situation”.
In a family context, four outbreaks were identified, with 27 infected, and in homes and residential structures for the elderly, one outbreak, in the Torre Natal home, in Faro, which accounted for 20 cases and one death, of a 92-year-old elderly woman.
At the level of federated sport there were two outbreaks, in the hockey team in Boliqueime (two cases) and in a basketball team in Olhão (five).
In day care centers, only one outbreak was identified, with two cases, in a nursery in Monte Gordo (Vila Real de Santo António). The 32 outbreaks had caused, until Sunday, one death and two hospitalizations.
Covid-19: Municipality of Loulé announces free testing to the population.
In order to detect new infections early and reverse the increase in the number of cases of Covid-19 in the municipality of Loulé, as of July 1, the City Council will support testing in private social solidarity institutions via subsidy and promote it with the population to carry out free tests.
In a statement, the municipality said that the testing would include all users of residential structures for the elderly and residential homes, home support service, day centers and temporary shelter, socio-occupational forum and center for occupational activities in the area of disability intellectual, totalling 19 institutions.
Employees and collaborators of these institutions will also be tested, in the same way as what had happened before, that is, by sample: they will be divided into four groups, with one group testing per week, which will ensure the testing of the entirety, employees of all institutions at the end of each month, as well as weekly monitoring of the situation in all households.
On the other hand, the municipality will open the tests to the community in order to reach a greater number of people screened. Thus, the municipality makes available to resident citizens the possibility of carrying out, free of charge, an antigen test. To do so, simply register on the platform and wait for the appointment. Each citizen will be able to perform only one test per month. If the result is positive for Covid-19, the person should contact the SNS24 Hotline or the entity that provides the testing service so that the appropriate PCR test can be performed.
The same statement also said that, at a time when Loulé is already on the red line corresponding to municipalities at high risk of infection (with more than 120 cases per 100,000 inhabitants), Mayor Vítor Aleixo stresses the importance of vaccination and testing to face this epidemiological situation, as well as the resumption of economic activity. “We are concerned about the current moment that requires urgent and effective measures so that we can return to normality in our daily lives. Only by identifying the cases can they break the transmission chains, which becomes more relevant at a time when more transmissible strains of the virus are circulating”, stresses the same person in charge.
Albufeira: GNR identifies 19 people in yet another illegal party.
Event took place on the public road.
The Albufeira GNR ended, on Sunday, June 27, a party that took place on the public highway “in breach of the measures in force to contain the Covid-19 pandemic”.
The facts took place during a patrol action. The Guard’s military verified “that a party was taking place on the public road, which was attended by 19 people”.
Following the action, an order was given to end the party, with several items being seized, such as a sound mixer, a column, a laptop computer and headphones.
Following the police investigations, all those present at the party were identified, and a notice was drawn up for the spread of disease, and the facts were sent to the Court of Albufeira.
The action was reinforced by the Intervention and Public Order Group (GIOP) of the Intervention Unit (UI).
This was not, moreover, the only party in Albufeira where the GNR had to act over the weekend: in a house, 43 people were accused for carrying out the illegal gathering.
Azores Situation Report Wednesday 30th June 2021 – From our colleague in the Azores
Missing workers
The body found yesterday in the parish of Ribeira Quente, on the island of São Miguel, belongs to one of the women who disappeared on Friday, following a flood that dragged the car which they were driving, into the waterway.
The remains were found today about a mile off the coast of the fishing village of Ribeira Quente, municipality of Povoação, in the area where a fisherman found alleged human remains on Sunday, after the end of the day’s search operation.
On Monday, the searches ended at around 17:00, due to the rising tide, which “complicates operations, as there are no longer safe conditions for professionals in the field”, explained a representative from Civil Protection.
The operation resumed on Tuesday, at around 8:00 am, and was expected to end at 6:00 pm, high tide time.
Yesterday, 12 entities and 46 elements, two vessels and two drones were involved in the searches.
On Friday, heavy rain caused the dragging of a vehicle from the Santa Casa da Misericórdia da Povoação, where the two employees, who would be providing home support, were driving.
The vehicle in which the two women were driving was located that day at the bottom of a stream, stopped and overturned, next to Povoação, but no occupants were seen.
The searches for the two women have involved elements of the Azores Regional Civil Protection and Fire Service (SRPCBA), the five fire brigades of São Miguel, the municipal civil protection service of Povoação, the Captaincy of the Port of Ponta Delgada, the Police Maritime, the North Coast Lifeguards Association and the PSP.
Shortage of Doctors
The Order of Doctors has identified a shortage of about 200 doctors in the Azores, a need recognized by the regional secretary of Health, who said yesterday that he is already making efforts to establish professionals in the region.
“We were all aware that there was a lack of doctors in different specialties and on different islands and, in fact, the shortage is significant”, said the President of the Medical Council of the Autonomous Region of the Azores, Margarida Moura, after meeting with the regional secretary of Health and Sports, Clélio Menezes.
The representative of the Order of Physicians in the region, who took office in February, stated that there are “nearly 200 doctors, 54 from General and Family Medicine and the others divided by other specialties”, identifying the islands of Santa Maria, São Jorge and Pico as the most, needy.
Regarding hospital specialties, at the Hospital do Divino Espírito Santo, in São Miguel, anesthesiology is “a very needy specialty”, while at the Hospital do Santo Espírito da Ilha Terceira the specialty most lacking is obstetrics and gynecology.
At the Hospital in Faial, there are “many specialties where there are not even resident doctors, there are contracts with external doctors”, said the person in charge.
Asked by the press when all Azores residents will have access to a family doctor, the regional secretary did not want to commit to dates: “I can’t give a date for this, I’ll only give goals when I’m sure we’ll meet them”, he stated.
The government official guaranteed that he is “working for this” but pointed out, “an added difficulty: there are many doctors on the way to retirement”.
“I am very concerned about this situation”, he added, referring to a “widespread problem of the need for general practitioners and family medicine”.
Covid-19 Report
26th June 2021
19 new positive cases of Covid-19 were diagnosed in the Azores, two in Graciosa and 17 in São Miguel, resulting from two tests in an unconventional laboratory and 1,397 carried out in reference laboratories in the Region.
On Graciosa, two cases were diagnosed concerning two travellers, one in Santa Cruz and one in São Mateus, with positive tests on the 6th day (one resident and the other non-resident).
In São Miguel there was also a positive case of a non-resident traveller, with a positive analysis on the 6th day. The remaining cases refer to community transmission.
In the municipality of Ribeira Grande there were three new cases (one in Rabo de Peixe, one in Matriz and one in Santa Bárbara). In the municipality of Ponta Delgada there were three new cases (one in São José, one in São Pedro and one in São Sebastião). In the municipality of Lagoa there are 11 new cases (five in Água de Pau, three in Rosário, two in Lagoa and one in Cabouco).
16 recoveries were recorded.
27th June 2021
22 new positive cases of Covid-19 were diagnosed in the Azores, one in Faial and 21 in São Miguel, resulting from 1,151 tests carried out in reference laboratories in the Region.
On Faial, a new case was registered in the parish of Angústias, municipality of Horta, of a non-resident traveller, with a positive analysis on the 6th day.
In São Miguel there was also a positive case of a traveller, resident, with a positive analysis on the 6th day. The remaining cases refer to community transmission. Thus, in the municipality of Ribeira Grande there were five new cases (two in Rabo de Peixe, one in Lomba da Maia, one in Conceição and one in Ribeira Seca). In the municipality of Ponta Delgada there were seven new cases (two in São José, two in São Pedro, one in Covoada, one in Santa Clara and one in São Vicente Ferreira). In the municipality of Lagoa there were seven new cases (six in Água de Pau and one in Santa Cruz). In the municipality of Vila Franca do Campo there is a new case in Ribeira Seca and in the municipality of Nordeste there was also a new case in Vila de Nordeste.
23 recoveries were recorded.
28th June 2021
31 new positive cases of Covid-19 were diagnosed in the Azores, all on the island of São Miguel, in the context of community transmission, following 691 tests carried out in the reference laboratories of the Region.
There were six new cases in the municipality of Ribeira Grande (three in Ribeirinha, two in Matriz and one in São Brás). There were eight new cases in the municipality of Ponta Delgada (one in each of the parishes of Arrifes, Fajã de Cima, São José, São Pedro, Relva, Fajã de Baixo, São Sebastion and Livramento). There were 17 new cases in the municipality of Lagoa (eight in Água de Pau, four in Santa Cruz, three in Rosário and two in Cabouco).
5 recoveries were registered, with four on the island of Faial, in the parish of Praia do Norte, and one on the island of Terceira, in the parish of Santa Cruz, municipality of Praia da Vitoria.
29th June 2021
22 new positive cases of Covid-19 were diagnosed in the Azores, all on the island of São Miguel, following 1,838 tests carried out in the reference laboratories of the Region and four in a private laboratory.
In the municipality of Lagoa, there were nine new cases (six in Santa Cruz and three in Água de Pau). Eight new cases are registered in the municipality of Ribeira Grande (two in Lomba da Maia, two in Rabo de Peixe and one in each of the parishes of Pico da Pedra, Matriz, Ribeirinha and Ribeira Seca). In Vila Franca do Campo, a case was diagnosed in Ponta Garça.
Out of the 22 new cases, one concerns a traveller, resident, who tested positive on the 6th day and the others in the context of community transmission.
In the same period, there were 40 recoveries, two patients are hospitalised, both in the Divino Espírito Santo Hospital in Ponta Delgada, one in Intensive Care Unit.
The archipelago currently has 287 active positive cases: 277 on the island of São Miguel, five on the island of Faial, two on the island of Graciosa, one on the island of Terceira, one on the island of São Jorge and one on the island of Santa Maria. Two primary local transmission chains are active in Faial, one in the parish of Praia do Norte and the other in Castelo Branco, municipality of Horta. To date, 203 have been extinguished on all islands. There are 840 people under active surveillance.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, 6,310 positive cases of Covid-19 have been diagnosed in the Azores and 5,853 people recovered from the disease. There were 33 deaths, 82 people who left the archipelago and 55 cases with history of previous cure. To date, 571,324 tests have been carried out for SARS-CoV-2, which causes Covid-19 disease.
From last December 31st, 2020 to June 23rd, 204,508 doses of Covid-19 vaccine were administered in the Azores, corresponding to 114,502 people aged 16 years or more who received the first dose, and 90,006 people who received both doses, under the Regional Vaccination Plan.
Lastly, unconnected with Covid-19, was the publication of Council of Minister’s resolution 78/2021 which approves the National Program for Companion Animals, which constitutes a new framework for public policy on the well-being of pet animals. This is by far the most comprehensive and ambitious development for the well-being of companion animals, and includes for instance the establishment of the Animal Ombudsman, with the mission of guaranteeing the defence and promotion of animal welfare and the preparation, by the Institute for the Conservation of Nature and Forests, IP (ICNF, IP), of a national strategy for stray animals. The overall framework of the plan can be 
Regarding movement in and out of the AML the police (PSP) have made it clear that they will be focusing their actions mainly on the control of people who travel by train, bus and plane. According to the Government, people who have a digital certificate or negative test to covid-19 can enter and leave the Metropolitan Area, as well as those who allowed under the exceptions in place, which we have posted under our Facebook page yesterday.
The levels once again surpass those registered in the last update, two days ago, when the indicators were 128.6 and 129.6, respectively. These are numbers clearly above the red line of 120, which have already forced the brake on de-confinement throughout the national territory.
Also according to official information, so far more than 50 defendants have been constituted.
“I spoke with Mrs. Merkel and confirmed her own interpretation of the statements she had made, I didn’t really see an inconvenience or criticism, I saw it more as a hypothesis. She had a bit of the idea that the growth of the Delta variant could be associated with the Champions final, [but] she verified by the numbers that, as the final took place in the city of Porto and with two thirds of this variant concentrated in the Lisbon region, it was very difficult to establish any kind of connection”, said António Costa.
As expected, we received a large number of responses and we are grateful for those concerned taking the time to write. As I said in the Facebook post, we cannot not take up every case individually, but will summarize the main problems that have been encountered to see what can be done, in terms of processes and communication.
“We are still worried that young people are getting infected. We don’t know the long-term consequences of the disease. There is a new variant circulating and it is cause for concern because it is more transmissible, because it is more resistant to just one dose of vaccination,” she stated.
There are more and more infections among young people, young adults and children alike. Most do not develop symptomatic or severe disease, but if they are not considered “a group of interest in vaccination, it means that the virus will be circulating in the community for a longer time”, warns Immunologist and Professor Manuel Santos Rosa. It’s because? “Because they are being a great vehicle for spreading the virus where they are, in families, schools, socializing, etc., which will keep the virus in circulation for much longer and regardless of whether older people are already vaccinated, this can mean that there are in the same hospitalization situations that can be serious, because, under any circumstance”.
In response to questions sent by the Lusa agency, the task force’s communication office confirmed the information provided today by the President of the Portuguese Rugby Federation (FPR) and explained that the action is part of a “logic of exception” for certain groups.
“Compared to the non-crisis scenario, 400,000 new individuals have fallen below the poverty line, defined as 60% of the equivalent median income, increasing the at-risk-of-poverty rate by 25% as a consequence of the Covid-19 pandemic,” he concluded. The study by the Social Observatory of the “la Caixa” Foundation, authored by the Centre of Economics for Prosperity (PROSPER) of the Catholic University of Lisbon.
“A better understanding and collaboration of all is requested in complying with the rules imposed in this pandemic framework, complying with and respecting the indications of the police officers who will be at the service of the community”, says the Metropolitan Command of Porto da PSP, in a statement sent to the agency Portuguese.
As of June 20th, 193,648 Covid-19 vaccine doses (105,598 1st doses & 85,050 2nd doses/full vaccination) had been administered in the Autonomous Region of Madeira since the start of the vaccination campaign on 31st December. This means that 43% of the population have been inoculated with the 1st dose of the vaccine while 34% have been fully vaccinated.
The Algarve Tourism Region (RTA), issued a note highlighting the arrival «of the high summer season in the Algarve at a crucial moment in the resumption of tourist activity», finding «the destination’s Sun and Sea offer in full force».
In a press release, the General Staff of the Armed Forces states that the team consisting of two doctors, six nurses and a pharmacist worked from the 6th to the 20th of June to support the regional process of vaccination in the Azorean islands without a hospital.
A matter that has been raised with us concerns weddings and the safety measures that are in place. It was announced yesterday that Covid-19 tests are now recommended at family events with more than ten people, such as weddings and baptisms, cultural and sporting events, public services and companies, according to the General Directorate of Health (DGS).
Therefore, a situation of potentially severe instability is continuing for the next few days, especially in the North, Centre and Alto Alentejo regions, where locally there will be heavy showers, hail and accompanied by thunderstorms and strong gusts. Please pay attention to the warnings as there have been floods in some areas as well as damage caused by very large hail.
The standard, referring to the National Testing Strategy for SARS-CoV-2, updated on Tuesday by the DGS, recommends “the carrying out of laboratory tests at family events, including weddings and baptisms, as well as any other similar celebrations, with a meeting from people outside the household, to professionals and participants whenever the number of participants exceeds ten”.
The European Commissioner for Health said on Tuesday that evidence is emerging to show that the Delta variant of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus “decreases the strength of the protective shield” created by vaccines, urging the acceleration of full population vaccination.
The EDP Vilar de Mouros will not take place in 2021. “We were stopped when we were close to starting the assembly of the festival”, informs the organization of the event to BLITZ. “Convinced that this summer it would be possible to return to the site of the oldest festival in our country, we resisted and continued to work, until further delays in the tours of international artists undo months of hard efforts”, justify the promoters of the oldest festival in country summer.
In Portugal, the program is promoted by the High Commission for Migration (ACM), with several initiatives planned over the next few days. Next Saturday, June 18, the webinar “Migration Observatory – Reception and Integration of Refugees in Portugal” will be held, which will feature, at the opening session, an intervention by the Secretary of State for Integration and Migration, Cláudia Pereira. On this occasion, the Statistical Report on Asylum 2021 – Applicants and Beneficiaries of International Protection in Portugal will be launched. Participation is free, requiring registration through their website.
The following Covid-19 rules are now applicable or will soon be applicable in the Autonomous Region of Madeira:
Speaking to Algarve Prime, José Amaro, President of the Moto Clube de Faro, confirmed that “there will not be conditions to receive the usual thousands of motorcyclists who, in mid-July, travel to Faro from various parts of Europe and the world”.
Together with the Algarve Tourism Region, the Algarve Regional Coordination and Development Commission, the Algarve Intermunicipal Community and the Camping and Mountaineering Federation of Portugal, Turismo de Portugal is committed to identifying new parking and overnight spaces of motorhomes that allow, in accordance with the imperatives of environmental sustainability, a better geographic diversification of such spaces and the growth of the offer network in the territory to welcome motorhome drivers.
“It was agreed that, depending on the speed with which vaccination in these islands advanced, we could take advantage of the availability of the ‘task force’ to also strengthen the vaccination team in São Miguel, which has a more worrying epidemiological expectation”, explained the Azorean chief executive, José Manuel Bolieiro.
In a press release, the Azorean public company states that “the majority of flights planned between the Azores” and Canada “will be maintained” but, as of June 24th, eight flights will be cancelled between Ponta Delgada and Toronto and two connections between Praia da Vitória and that Canadian city.