Dozens from risky countries enter Portugal without tests, and hope for UK ‘air bridges’ to parts of Portugal
Portuguese news in English on July 22, 2020
By the numbers
We had another two-month low for new confirmed cases yesterday (127) but the number has ticked up again today. Still, things are looking significantly better this week compared with last week, so hopefully that pattern continues. 85% of today’s new cases were in the greater Lisbon area and 79.5% of those from yesterday. Deaths and confirmed recoveries remain relatively stable.
EU recovery plan ‘the right deal for Europe right now’
The EU came to a final agreement on Tuesday over its coronavirus recovery plan, promising €750 billion in grants and loans, Público reported. Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa - who predicted a €700 billion package on Monday - said it was a “gigantic step” in the European project and European Council president Charles Michel called it "the right deal for Europe right now". The final program includes €390 billion in grants - down from a proposed €500 billion - and another €360 billion in low-interest loans. Despite the reduction in grants, Portugal will receive roughly the same amount as originally proposed: €15.27 billion in grants for projects to 2026 and €10.8 billion in loans. EU policy expert Henrique Burnay, speaking to Diário de Notícias, warned the damage from spending the money poorly would be enormous. He also noted that although Italy’s health situation was worse, Portugal’s lockdown hit the economy comparatively harder because of its reliance on tourism. You can read about the deal in English from the BBC.
Dozens from risky countries enter Portugal without COVID-19 test
Dozens of passengers from at least two planes flying from countries of “epidemiological risk” were allowed to enter Portugal last weekend without having taken a mandatory COVID-19 test, Público reports. Flights from most countries outside the European Union, Schengen Zone, UK and a list of countries considered “safe” remain suspended. “Essential” flights are still available from the US and Portuguese-speaking countries but passengers must present proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of departure (More details at Visit Portugal). Failure to comply results in fines for the airlines and passengers are meant to be forced to take a test on arrival in Portugal. But the Immigration and Borders Service (SEF) told Público Portuguese citizens and residents couldn’t be blocked from entering the country even if they refused to take the test. Dozens of passengers on two flights from the Mozambican capital of Maputo and the Angolan capital of Luanda refused to take tests on Friday and Saturday last week but SEF guaranteed the flights were an exception.
Spark of hope for UK ‘air bridges’ to parts of Portugal
In the latest step in the long-running “air bridge” saga, the UK is considering allowing people flying in from specific regions to avoid quarantine, rather than blacklisting entire countries, The Telegraph reports, in English. If the plan goes ahead it would open the door for the Algarve, and almost definitely Madeira and the Azores, and potentially Porto, to be added to the so-called “air bridge” list. The ability for British tourists to travel to those areas without quarantining on their return home would be massive for the tourist industry in those regions and the country as a whole. That’s not to mention the impact for any of you looking to fly to the UK to see family or for work. Meanwhile Ireland today became the latest country to snub Portugal. Diário de Notícias reported Portugal, Spain, France and the UK were all left of a “green list” of 13 countries exempt from Irish quarantine restrictions.
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In brief
Half of young people between 18 and 24 say their mental health has worsened with the pandemic. (Público)
Air traffic fell 56.5% in the first quarter. The French are now the leading visitors to Portugal. (Público)
Former Secretary of State for Energy Artur Trindade charged. There are suspicions of passive corruption related to the hiring of his father by EDP as an exchange of favors. (Diário de Notícias)
On a lighter note
Does anyone have “visit Portugal’s biggest swing” on their bucket list? Ok, me neither. But I may just have to change that. I’m not really sure why, but that’s exactly what has been built in Arcos de Valdevez, with a spectacular view over the Peneda-Gerês National Park in the country’s north. Time Out reports the wooden swing clocks in at 7.6 metres and is free to access 24/7. When you get tired of swinging and the incredible view, you can check out the cows and horses grazing freely nearby.
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