There are 31 support measures for companies, population and health authorities that are, or will be, implemented in the municipality of Faro. The goal is to combat the consequences of the Covid-19 outbreak, not only for health, but for the economy. This is the #FaroI can.
In statements to the Sul Informação, Rogério Bacalhau, president of the Chamber of Faro, explained that these 31 measures “are possible within the competence framework of the municipalities. There are things that we would like to go further, but we do not have the capacity or competence for that».
According to the mayor, «there are measures that are operational, related to our services, such as the fact that we set up the command post, at the Municipal Library, to centralize the entire operation. Then, we developed a set of contacts with economic agents, or hoteliers, to create better conditions for health authorities to work», namely through the provision of accommodation spaces for health professionals.
One of the 31 measures that came into force today is aimed at the entire population. The Covid-19 line was created, through the number 800 219 019, to provide information and clarification on aspects of the pandemic outbreak, directing citizens to the appropriate services and institutions and monitoring situations of social vulnerability and economic need.
“We have 10 people, two psychologists and eight technicians, answering calls and providing as much support as possible, whoever can call us. I emphasize that it does not apply to the Health area. There, the correct contact is the SNS24 line», reveals Rogério Bacalhau.
The mayor emphasizes that, even before the creation of this line, “we have been accompanying people in need, the elderly and the homeless. In the case of the elderly and families in need, we have been making 100 to 150 calls a day to see how they are doing these days. We have protocols with social support institutions to serve meals to the homeless, the elderly and needy families».
One of the most comprehensive measures is the extension of the payment term for water bills and the reduction in the price of the second level. “We extended the deadline, because those who do not have direct debit have to leave their homes, to go to the ATM, for example, to make the payment. In addition, we will not trigger penalty measures to guarantee payments during this period. In addition to all this, we will charge the second tier with the same amount as the first. Families spend more time at home, use more water and we thought it was fair».
The crisis is here, but the return to normality will not be immediate, when the duty of collection ends. Therefore, Rogério Bacalhau reveals to the Sul Informação that “we are thinking of some way to help the economy. We're going to make a budget change soon and try to help even more. Next week, we are going to take two projects to support leasing to the Municipal Assembly, to help families who will have difficulties in the coming months. We will also take a regulation to support the restoration of homes for families in need».
In addition to these, "there are other measures that we are still preparing to boost the economy in terms of investment and recovery". Rogério Bacalhau also emphasizes that “the Government has also created measures to support companies. Entrepreneurs should look at the two packages, the municipal and the national, and see how they can benefit».
Families and companies are having economic impacts with the pandemic, but municipalities also end up having less income, especially because, in the case of Faro, the tourist tax was suspended, the payment of parking meters until May, the payment of rent for commercial establishments in the Municipality and the license for esplanades.
This, explains Rogério Bacalhau, «will create a decrease in the Municipality's revenue, but we don't see it as a loss, we see it as an investment. When we receive revenue from citizens, through direct or indirect taxes, the objective is to return it. If we are not receiving, we are giving back».
Even so, the mayor emphasizes that “all these measures were designed taking into account the financial impact they will have. For example, in water, we would like to go further, but we cannot, because we have to pay Águas do Algarve, Algar and salaries. If we went further, we would be putting at risk the sustainability of FAGAR».
In the case of water, there is another “fundamental factor. We do not want consumption to increase, because the rational use of water is still necessary», concludes Rogério Bacalhau.
See below for the list of the 31 measures of the #FaroI can:
Containment Measures and Support to Health Authorities
1. Installation of the Municipal Civil Protection Coordination Post, permanently, at the Municipal Library of Faro and under the coordination of the Mayor and the Municipal Civil Protection coordinator, in permanent articulation with the District Civil Protection and representatives of the Public Health Authority, Security Forces and Social Security Institute;
2. Provision and preparation of municipal facilities to welcome communities identified by the Health Authority and all those who, by its determination, may need quarantine.
3. Solidarity collaboration, within AMAL, through the purchase and donation of fans and personal protection equipment (1,3 million euros in investment by the 16 municipalities of the Algarve) and availability of the Algarve Stadium for COVID-19 Analysis Centre.
4. Streamlined platform with hoteliers in the municipality and local accommodation, with a pool of rooms available for health professionals working in the municipality, which already exceeds 60 available units. The CMF coordinates the action, sending the updated list of availability to hospitals in the municipality on a daily basis.
5. Closure of all municipal buildings serving the public, respective front-office services, infrastructure and equipment and cancellation of shows and events, in accordance with the declaration of a state of emergency. We continue to work, in telecommuting, seeking to quickly respond to the needs of our residents.
6. Continuous cleaning and disinfection of public spaces, urban furniture and urban solid waste containerization points (MSW) and, in particular, of areas with high affluence of people and population density, using products suitable for the removal of pathogens.
7. Promotion of the correct sanitation of public road transport vehicles with operators and concessionaires and closure of bus stations and related services that enable gatherings.
8. Carrying out, in conjunction with the authorities, various surveillance and inspection actions at non-essential establishments in the municipality that continue to operate serving the public despite the state of emergency in force in the country.
9. Provision of transport for the National Health Service home teams (health centers) to provide post-hospital care and to the population with chronic diseases.
10. The performance of funerals is subject to the absence of crowds of people, control of a safety distance of 2 meters, setting a maximum limit of 10 presences and compliance with hand hygiene measures and respiratory label.
11. Creation of the helpline FARO COVID-19, (number to be released in the next few hours) to provide information and clarification on aspects of the pandemic outbreak, referral of citizens to appropriate services and institutions and monitoring of situations of social vulnerability and economic need (in case of symptoms or guidelines citizens should call the line SNS24 – 808 24 24 24).
12. Solidarity campaign among residents, in partnership with condominium companies, called “És um neighbor Solidário?”. This is an information campaign that aims to prevent more people – namely the elderly – from having to leave their homes to obtain basic necessities.
Measures to Stimulate the Economy
13. Implementation of a home delivery system for essential goods (non-prepared food products, hygiene products and medicines) promoted by the Municipality of Faro, in partnership with ACRAL, several companies in the municipality and Rotáxi. Delivery is ensured by the merchants themselves or, in case of need, through vehicles allocated to Rotáxi. The measure is essentially a stimulus to the economy, aiming at the creation of practical and accessible consumption solutions for families, using what is done and sold in our land.
14. Suspension of payment for parking meters until the end of May 2020.
15. Suspension of payment of tourist tax, during the second quarter of 2020, for hotels, local accommodation and other operators, where applicable.
16. Suspension, for a period of 6 months, with effect from March 19, of the collection of fees related to the occupation of public space with terraces and other associated articles and kiosks whose occupancy is charged pursuant to paragraph 1 of article 20 of Fee Regulation, recognizing the right to credit the amount already paid during the pandemic period, to be taken into account in the reopening licensing.
17. Extension of the normal period for payment of the water bill up to 45 days, covering all consumptions until the next month of June, inclusive.
18. All water consumption up to the 2nd level will benefit from the most economical tariff for the 1st level of consumption until the next month of June, inclusive, reducing the water bill.
19. There will be no recourse to judicial means for the collection of unpaid bills related to water consumption until the next month of June, inclusive.
20. Extension, to April 30, of the deadline for receiving applications for the municipal program of support to associations, allowing association members to focus on the current priority of safeguarding their families and the community. Despite the postponement of the deadline, urgent applications will be considered immediately. The weighting of support will take into account the exceptional nature of the moment we are going through.
21. Mitigate the effects of cancellations of shows and events, seeking to contract with local artists and the regional creative environment, a set of cultural initiatives and live-stream shows.
22. Suspension of the obligation to pay rent in lease agreements for municipal spaces covered by the closure decreed during the COVID-19 contingency period.
23. Suspension of the obligation to pay rent for Municipal Market operators covered by the closure decreed during the contingency period of COVID-19.
Social Support Measures:
24. Suspension of the payment of rents for municipal housing under supported leases, until the end of next June, to all households that are in a situation of economic need, following the effects of the pandemic. The rents overdue and not paid during this period will be settled later, through a payment plan, with a maximum limit of 12 installments and without place to the application of the increase corresponding to 50% of the rent amount.
25. Creation of a financial assistance package, of an amount to be defined at the time of the 2020 municipal budget review, depending on needs, to support measures already adopted and others that may be essential.
26. Drawing up of a protocol with entities in the municipality for food support, through take-away meals, for needy and homeless people.
27. Regular telephone contact with all seniors accompanied by the senior support office and people with special needs, seeking to hear the needs and provide the necessary guidelines whenever justified.
28. Articulation with the GNR elderly support team, to identify elderly people in need of food, medication and/or others.
29. Provision of school meals to students in grade A and B of Escola Social Action free of charge. For reasons of social distance, the distribution is carried out in a take-away service.
30. Creation of a municipal regulation to support private leasing, seeking to minimize the effects of this crisis on the economy of families with fewer resources.
31. Intensification of the process of attribution of the Abem Dignitude Card, allowing more needy families to access prescribed medications and strengthening the implementation of the home care program for elderly people in situations of social vulnerability or who are alone for a significant part of the day/night .
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