PM defends Christmas rules relaxation // UK bans entry from Portugal
Portuguese news in English on Friday, January 15, 2021.
By the numbers
It’s been another two record-breaking days in terms of new cases, with 10,556 on Wednesday before 10698 on Thursday. Daily deaths continue to hover around the 150 mark, with swelling hospitals. Lisbon and the Tejo Valley, the North and Central regions continue to suffer the vast majority of new daily cases.
PM defends Christmas rules relaxation
Prime Minister António Costa has defended his government’s decision to allow families to gather for Christmas and pointed to those in their 20s as the source of the growth in new cases Público reports. But, speaking to TVI shortly before the lockdown began, he insisted schools were a safe location, arguing it would be unthinkable to “destroy a generation”, affecting two years’ of learning. Mr Costa also spoke about the vaccine, saying some would start receiving their second dose next week.
UK bans entry from Portugal
The UK has banned entry from Portugal and a host of South American countries thanks to a new variant of the coronavirus circulating in Brazil, Diário de Notícias reports. The ban covers Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay and Venezuela, as well as Cape Verde in Africa. UK Transport Minister Grant Schapps said Portugal was included on the list because of its close travel links to Brazil. Mr Schapps said UK citizens and permanent residents would be exempt from the travel ban but would have to self-isolate for 10 days on arrival. Angola will also suspend air links with Portugal, South Africa and Brazil, Diário de Notícias reports, while the variant that emerged in Brazil is yet to be detected in Portugal, Lusa reports.
Positive signs from early vaccination drive
The vaccination of health professionals in some of Portugal’s largest hospitals appears to be showing positive results. Of the 40 vaccinated at Porto’s São João Hospital on December 27, between 95% and 97% had already developed covid-19 antibodies 15 days after they received the jab, Público reports. It’s not a groundbreaking development given the Pfizer vaccine has been found to offer 95% immunity (which is not necessarily exactly the same thing as developing antibodies but I’m not going to go into that here) but director of clinical pathology Tiago Guimarães has hailed the “real world” evidence. “This gives us certainty that it’s worth it,” he says. “The vaccine is worth it and the quicker we vaccinate, the better.” The vaccine, as with all of the other options in use or close to approval in the western world, requires two doses to be fully effective.
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In brief
Government increases grants for companies in crisis. The government is essentially promising more money and quicker payment. Limits increase between 33% to 37.5% depending on the size of the company. (Público)
Culture workers to receive €438. Minister Graça Fonseca announced €42 million in grants to help the sector, including €1.4 million for cinema. (Público)
On a lighter note
Here’s something to look forward to when you can leave the house again. The Guardian has highlighted 21 places to go in 2021, which is great for when we’re able to roam Europe again but also prominently features a lesser-known Portuguese destination. Porto-based writer Oliver Balch kicks off the list with Amarante. “On the banks of the Tâmega River, a gorgeous bow-shaped bridge connecting its two halves, the town – north-east of Porto – is a maze of cobbled streets and quiet cafes that ask nothing of you other than to wander at will,” he writes. Sounds pretty good to me.
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