New public transport guidelines, and complaints about festivals and concerts
English language coronavirus news in Portugal on May 20, 2020.
By the numbers
The stats are remarkably steady today, with the same number of deaths as yesterday and just five more new cases confirmed. Confirmation of recovered cases is back on the rise again, but the new numbers are still only a tiny fraction of the thousands we saw over the weekend.
Eighty-three council areas are almost free of coronavirus
Óbidos makes €20 million a year from tourism, which makes this Diário de Notícias report even more remarkable. We’ve repeatedly seen Portugal praised for how quickly it reacted to the pandemic. But the council known for its historical castle and sour cherry liqueur (ginjinha) was already acting a full 10 days before a state of emergency was declared on March 19. On top of an information campaign and efforts to protect older citizens, the council took the potentially radical step of asking tour guides to skip the popular destination. Daily bus trips dropped from 80 to five. Instead of 4000 visitors, mostly foreigners, there were 200. To date, the municipality has registered only one case, who has since recovered. It’s one of 83 (out of 308) councils with less than three cases right now (the Directorate-General of Health only lists councils with three or more cases in its daily bulletin).
Óbidos. Photo: Jorge Branco
Updated advice for public transport
We already know wearing a mask is mandatory, with fines for anyone not complying. The Directorate-General for Health has now added a few more rules and guidelines. According to today’s recommendation, reported by Público, commuters should avoid paying with cash and disinfect their hands before and after riding. Hot days may be tough because DGS is recommending open windows instead of air conditioning, or at most, extraction-only AC. Of course, if you’re symptomatic, you should stay home and contact the SNS24 health hotline, which has an English option.
In taxis and ride-sharing services, passengers should ride only in the back seat, with the windows open and hands in their lap. Avoid handling and touching the inside of the vehicle, DGS recommends.
Nos Alive announces 2021 headliner amid complaints about festival refunds
The virus has already wreaked havoc on the summer festival season, with a ban on such gatherings until September 30. Nos Alive has now announced one of its headliners for next year, Público reports, Portuguese cult favourite Da Weasel, who had been set to headline the fourth night of this year’s edition. The announcement comes amid complaints from foreigners, reported by Blitz, that some festivals are offering vouchers (allowed by the law banning festivals) for next year’s edition instead of a refund. Nos Alive has promised “information about the use of tickets” bought for this year’s edition will be released “soon”.
On a similar note (pun intended) artists have warned the Ministry of Culture that measures such as limited capacity and distance between revellers will make live performances “unviable”, Diário de Notícias reports. The ministry sent a draft manual to promoters and other key figures in the sector in preparation for the reopening of cinemas, theatres and concerts on June 1. Among other measures, it included 20m2 of space per concertgoer at outdoor events - with pre-marked spaces - and two spare seats in between every ticketholder (see below) at indoor concerts. Ópera do Castelo director Catarina Molder was one to complain, saying it would be impossible to perform an opera for an audience of 20 in a venue with capacity for 450 people.
In brief
Prime Minister continues efforts to get people to head out again. António Costa ate out in restaurants very publicly on Monday and Tuesday, insisting:" If we all stay put we will survive the disease, but we may not survive the cure. You need to overcome these fears, with confidence and always with caution."
Health Minister says more than 3200 health professionals were infected. The Minister, Marta Temido, insisted many of the cases were picked up at home or in social settings, not at work.
Portugal has eight more 'Blue Flag' beaches. The organisation evaluates beaches on a series of environmental, educational, safety and access-related measures.
On a lighter note
What would a trashy telenovela be without those tender embraces and passionate kisses? It looks like we’re about to find out because the Portuguese soap Terra Brava is filming again, complete with COVID-19 restrictions, Público reports. Series creator Inês Gomes said the scripts for any episode not already recorded had to be fully rewritten, with lots of changes, stretching the team’s creativity to the limits. For example, she said, instead of a slap in the face, someone might have a glass of water thrown at them. Instead of kissing, there could be seduction at a distance, leaving what happens next up to the viewer’s imagination. The spectacularly terrible soap opera Neighbours is doing a similar thing in my homeland, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.
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