Isilda Gomes, mayor of Portimão, defended this Thursday, 2 July, that "the Algarve is a safe destination" in her speech on the virtual plenary of the Committee of the Regions, which debated the recovery plan of the European Union against economic and health problems caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
After recalling that "the problems we are facing at the moment are very difficult, so it is essential for Europe to work together and at one speed, defining common strategies at national, regional and local levels", the mayor underlined the "essential importance". the reopening of borders between all European countries, re-establishing one of the pillars of European construction: the free movement of people and goods'.
In this regard, Isilda Gomes urged all member states to adopt the European Commission's package on tourism and transport for this year, stating in the plenary that "we have been working hard in the Algarve region to ensure the safety of our residents and tourists."
The mayor gave as examples «the intensive tests provided to all hotel workers, the creation of beach assistants with appropriate training to receive and support tourists, the APP Infopraia with information updated in real time by these assistants and the adoption of measures to ensure compliance with the rules of circulation, coexistence and safety distance between people”.
"This hard work must be supported by all states, contributing to the recovery of the regional economy, businesses and employment, without neglecting the receptivity - in total security - of all European tourists", maintained Isilda Gomes, for whom " health and the economy must be compatible'.
During her speech in this plenary session, given in Spanish due to the limitations of the video conference system, the mayor of Portimão recalled that the tourism industry in the Algarve represents 4,6 percent of Portuguese GDP, representing 87% of employment generated in the region directly related to this sector.
In his turn, Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton stated in his speech that the current pandemic "does not choose borders and can only be fought if we act united, responsibly and in solidarity."
Directly referring to the position of Isilda Gomes, the commissioner endorsed the position of the mayor and considered "absolutely essential the resumption of tourist activity, safeguarding the proper conditions of sanitary security."
Isilda Gomes is part of the Portuguese representation in the European Committee of the Regions, being part of the Natural Resources Commission, which has portfolios such as public health, civil protection, tourism, fisheries, the economy of the sea and agriculture.
Interventions can be viewed in full here
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