The Algarve is in a 'stable phase' of the Covid-19 pandemic, with few if any new cases daily over the past few weeks. “We may have one or another case, but that is natural, given the lack of confinement and the resumption of daily life,” explained Ana Paula Guerreiro, regional health delegate at a press conference at the Civil Protection headquarters in Loulé.
However, the official launched an appeal for people "not to overuse the new possibilities [offered by the lack of confinement], namely on the terraces of cafes and restaurants."
"We have received many contacts from citizens complaining of situations in which the rules are not being followed on the terraces" in the Algarve, he revealed, stressing that people "have the right to be unmasked on the terraces, but they must comply with the rules of social distancing». In other words, being unmasked and in large groups, joining tables that were even separate, cannot be.
José Apolinário, the secretary of State who coordinates the fight against the pandemic in the Algarve, launched another appeal, to young people: “we are going to open but not to hold street parties”.
This official referred to new cases of infected people, mostly young, after having gone to parties outside the region, as it happened in Olhão. But the problem was not just the young people.
The regional Health delegate admitted that "we have more positive cases related to parties and not just young people, but also adults' parties." In this case, the reference was to what happened in Portimão and in Lagoa, in these more recent days.
However, Ana Cristina Guerreiro made a point of also launching a special appeal for the younger ones: «it is natural that they want to be with each other, but it is necessary to keep the distance».
Paulo Morgado, president of the Algarve Regional Health Administration (ARS), also called for everyone's responsibility, stressing that the community has to comply with the rules, "very much based on the use of masks and social distancing." «This will be crucial for those who are in the Algarve and for those who visit us».
"We all stand to gain, as citizens, as companies, as a community, if we all stick to the rules."
As for José Apolinário, he assured that "we are prepared to welcome all national and non-national tourists who will head to the region during the next week's mini-vacation period."
This greater "influx of visitors", "both national and foreign tourists", was also underlined by Paulo Morgado, who recalled: "Rules are rules and are to be followed by everyone, we will all win as a community." "Nobody wants to go back to what we went through."
For the responsible for the ARS Algarve, there needs to be a "balance between public health and the economy", which needs to go back to its normal pace, but without jeopardizing the fight against a disease that is already, he explained, an "endemic" , because it is widespread in the community.
In spite of everything, Paulo Morgado expressed himself “at ease in relation to what is to come”, demonstrating his confidence “in the capacity that the system can demonstrate”. We have all learned a lot from this, we all know much more today about the disease, how it is transmitted». Health services and professionals are better prepared, the community itself is also prepared, he guaranteed.
"I'm not scared of what's coming, but obviously we have to stay vigilant," he concluded.
António Pina, president of the Algarve Intermunicipal Community (AMAL) and, inherently, of the District Civil Protection Commission, stressed “we cannot let 5% of irresponsible people spoil the work of the remaining 95%”.
Addressing the many Portuguese tourists who, on next week's mini-holidays, will head south, Pina assured: "come on vacation, we've prepared to welcome you, but we'll remain vigilant."
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