Austria, Germany to help ailing hospitals // Another vaccine approved for Europe // More detail on borders
Portuguese news in English on Monday, February 1, 2021.
By the numbers
Things are still as bad as they’ve ever been in terms of covid-19 deaths and the hospitals are filling more every day. Saturday’s 303 fatalities equaled the deadliest day yet and the average number of daily deaths is still rising. There is a crack of light at the end of the tunnel when it comes to case numbers, after the seven-day average fell three days in a row for the first time this year. But, as always, it’s too early to say if that trend will continue or not.
The newest pandemic restrictions kicked in on Sunday. Check the latest rules here and the broader existing measures here.
Austria and Germany to help ailing hospitals
Germany and Austria have stepped in to help Portugal’s swamped hospital system with workers, equipment and even international patient transfers, Público reports. Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurtz didn’t say how many intensive care patients his country’s health system would receive but said the moment demanded “European solidarity”. Yesterday, Germany’s Defence Ministry said the country’s armed forces would send medical teams and equipment to Portugal, with details to be announced early this week. At least three ICU patients have already been scheduled for transfer from Lisbon to the Portuguese independent territory of Madeira, Diário de Notícias reports.
AstraZeneca vaccine approved for Europe
The European Medicines Agency has granted approval for the AstraZeneca vaccine to be used in all adults, The Guardian reports. The approval on Friday came after Germany’s independent vaccine advisory committee recommended the vaccine not be used on those over 65, citing a lack of effectiveness data. AstraZeneca CEO Pascal Soriot said its latest studies showed a similarly strong antibody response in over-65s to that seen in younger people. The first 113,000 doses of the Oxford-linked vaccine – which is less effective but significantly cheaper and easier to store and transport than those from Pfizer and Moderna – should arrive in Portugal on February 9, along with another 10,800 Moderna doses and 80,000 from Pfizer, Público reports. The same newspaper reports on two vaccine distribution controversies in recent days. The director of the Setúbal district of the social security institute resigned after being one of more than 120 workers to be vaccinated before their time. In Porto, a regional paramedic boss was removed from his role after authorising the vaccination of 11 workers at the pastelaria next door to the National Institute of Emergency Medicine (INEM) offices. He said the vaccines would have needed to be thrown out if they weren’t used.
More detail on border closures
There’s a little bit more information available about the border restrictions, thanks to Dinheiro Vivo. As expected, Portuguese citizens and foreigners with legal residency can return to the country and residents of other countries may leave Portugal, as can Portuguese citizens with residency in another country. European Union and Schengen Zone countries have been divided into three categories affecting what passengers flying to Portugal need to do. There are no restrictions from countries with fewer than 150 cases per 100,000 but anyone coming from a country with 150–500 cases/100,000 — such as France or Germany — will need to present a negative covid-19 tests performed within 72 hours of departure and anyone from a country with more than 500 will need to quarantine at home for 14 days. Anyone arriving without a test will have to wait in the airport until they have a result (and the airlines will be fined), which has meant dozens of people spending the night in Lisbon Airport while waiting, Público reports. The same newspaper reports mayors of Portuguese border towns are unhappy with the closure of the border with Spain, which leaves only eight crossing points open for freight, workers and other essential purposes.
If you do have to travel in or out of Portugal please triple check everything with the relevant governments on both sides of the flight because things are changing really quickly and I don’t have space to include anything beyond the broadest of situations.
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In brief
Airlines systematically violate covid containment controls, German police say. Authorities registered 600 violations in just six days. Finss could reach €15 million. (Público)
Found of major lab chain urges focus on contact tracing, not just testing. José Germano de Sousa, whose lab chain has performed about a million of the country’s 7 million tests, says tracing is more important than ever amid “astronomical” infection numbers and new variants. (Público)
Renowned chef: ‘It will be an earthquake. Only a miracle can save us’. Restaurants are running out of money and government assistance is delayed. Vitor Sobral, owner of Lisbon’s Tasca da Esquina, Dom Riger, Otro and others, says plans need to be put in place to restructure debts. (Público)
Why Brazilians are having to take the Covid crisis into their own hands. The Guardian’s Today in Focus podcast, in English) dives into just how badly things are going in Brazil and the young people banding together to help out. (The Guardian)
On a lighter note
Here’s one for all you fans of classical music and Brazilian funk. What’s that? Nobody likes both of those genres? Well, too bad. Someone mentioned this song on a podcast I was listening to and I think it’s exactly weird enough to be your lighter note for today.
Please keep sharing on Facebook, in real life or anywhere else you see people a bit confused by the latest news.