The GNR agent stands beside the car that he ordered to stop, salutes and outlines a smile behind his mask, to the couple who are occupying the vehicle. «Good morning, sir! Here we are going to distribute some kits and advice about Covid-19», he says. And then the mayor of Aljezur, wearing a Civil Protection vest, comes forward to talk to the driver: “Are you coming on vacation? Here we have a kit with masks, gel, advice and rules so that you can have a fun and even safer vacation. Have a good vacation and a good trip».
This has been the case throughout the morning, next to the bridge over the Seixe river, which marks the border between Alentejo and Algarve. José Gonçalves, mayor of Aljezur, councilor António Carvalho, several technicians from the council, as well as Fátima Catarina, vice president of the Algarve Tourism Region, wore the Civil Protection vest and even under the inclement sun of this 15th July, they were there distributing the kits. In the afternoon, the campaign will continue on Odeceixe beach and then continue in other places in the county.
«We wanted to take advantage of this change of fortnight, when many tourists, especially Portuguese, come to the Algarve on vacation, to start this awareness campaign. In Aljezur, the pandemic situation, although there have been more cases, is under control and we want to keep it that way, but for that we need the collaboration of everyone, even vacationers», said the mayor José Gonçalves to Sul Informação.
"The bridge of Odeceixe is the main gateway for tourists in this part of the Algarve and, therefore, we decided to start the campaign here," he added. In all, 10 kits will be distributed as part of the «Aljezur Always» campaign.
“At this point, our county has doubled its population, not only due to the increase in overnight stays, but also to those who come to visit us during the day. We want all these people to be able to enjoy a good holiday, in safety, but also to maintain tranquility, despite the pandemic situation», said the mayor of Aljezur.
After the bridge, the kit distribution campaign will continue on Odeceixe beach, as well as on the other beaches in the municipality of Aljezur, followed by the network of accommodation, taxi drivers and other entities. "We are going to deliver these kits to tourist accommodations, to our taxi drivers, who also lined up, as well as to other entities, which are also committed to this vacation mission," explained the mayor.
At his side, Fátima Catarina, president of the RTA, took the opportunity to enter the kits to another car that the GNR had ordered to pull over. Due to the stunned look of the car's occupants, he exclaimed in good humor: “Don't be scared! This is just to give you these kits and to wish you a safe vacation». Inside the car, there was a burst of laughter.
In statements to the Sul Informação, Fátima Catarina stressed the importance of «awareness»: «the municipality of Aljezur, like the Algarve in general, needs tourists, and they need to come and feel safe».
This summer, admitted the vice president of RTA, with restrictions on international travel in place, the Algarve will depend above all on the Portuguese: «we have always relied on the national market, but this year it will undoubtedly be our main tourist market ».
As for the current summer, the official admitted that "it is expected to be even worse than last year", although she predicts "that, towards the end of the summer and with the advance of vaccination, things should balance out". Until then, prevention and awareness are needed.
The distribution of Covid kits is just a part of the «Aljezur Semper» campaign, which, according to councilor António Carvalho, is primarily intended to «reinforce self-esteem and love for their territory on the part of Aljezurenses».
But «now has a second aspect. Those who choose Aljezur to spend their holidays in the next few days, in July and August, will then qualify for a raffle of experiences in the county during the low season, starting in October. They can be surfing, kayaking, paddle, overnight, accommodation, restaurants, etc. We want people to be loyal to Aljezur. The campaign logic is exactly this: Aljezur now and always».
So, if you go on holiday to this county of Costa Vicentina, take advantage. For now, whoever arrived today will be able to make their holidays safer and more rested.
Photos: Elisabete Rodrigues | Sul Informação
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