Possible quarantine-free ‘air bridge’ with UK, and what went wrong in one of Greater Lisbon’s new outbreak zones
English language coronavirus news in Portugal on June 3, 2020.
By the numbers
There’s another relatively large increase in confirmed cases today. In raw numbers, it’s the most new cases recorded in a day since May 8 but in percentage terms it’s the same as last week’s biggest increase. In better news, 11 deaths is the fewest we’ve seen since May 15, even if it is only one fewer than yesterday. Of the 366 new cases identified, 335 are in the Lisbon and Tejo Valley region.
Outbreak in Greater Lisbon neighbourhood ‘the result of prevention that was not done’
As local outbreaks continue in some of Lisbon’s poorer neighbourhoods, complaints are beginning to emerge about the lack of support for their residents. In an in-depth report published today, Público spoke to several residents of Quinta da Fonte, in Loures, where many never really had the comparative luxury of lockdown. Instead, they kept heading to worksites, cleaning jobs or even nursing homes on public transport that became especially slow and overloaded as the bus company cut services during the state of emergency. José Manuel Salvador, who has been helping Loures residents through his role at the local church, said the outbreak was the result of prevention work that was never done. There are some people who keep going to work despite being sick, because they don’t have any alternative, one resident says. On Tuesday, teams were on the ground investigating case-by-case, but at least one resident, who emailed authorities two weeks ago to warn about infected children, said help should have come earlier. Those in precarious employment such as cleaners and labourers need financial help if they can’t go to work, Manuel Salvador argues, along with more help for students, some who don’t have access to a TV or computer for teleschool.
If you want to help, there are lots of worthy charities in Portugal and it’s worth doing your own research. But this new program that accepts old laptops and Refood, which delivers excess food to the needy, could be good places to start.
‘Air bridge’ link with UK could be agreed by the end of the month
The governments of Portugal and the UK are in talks about a so-called “air bridge” that would allow UK travellers to skip quarantine on their return home, Público reports. Extending the welcome mat to British holidaymakers, Portuguese Foreign Minister Augusto Santos Silva, told BBC Radio 4 that “quarantine is an enemy of tourism”. You can read the BBC’s report here in English. Portugal has not introduced a mandatory quarantine - except on the islands of Madeira and the Azores - and has no public plans to do so. But most people landing in the UK from Monday will be subject to a 14-day quarantine. Santos Silva said he respected the British government’s decision to impose the measure but he hoped the air link could be agreed upon by the end of June.
The deal would also let you go check out the squirrels in St James’s Park. Photo: Jorge Branco
Plans for ‘fair’ minimum wages across Europe
The European Commission is forging ahead with plans for “fair” minimum wages across the continent to avoid “rising wage inequalities and in-work poverty”, Diário de Notícias reports. Brussels stressed workers earning enough money to ensure a decent standard of living was “fundamental” for the recovery of the European economy in the wake of the pandemic. But the EC does not want to establish a “uniform European minimum wage”, promising to “respect national competencies and social partners' contractual freedom”. In a more ambitious move, The Guardian reports Spain, Italy and Portugal are pushing for a minimum income across Europe, which would see income topped up if it fell below a certain level. The idea, which is yet to be fleshed out, is different to the push for a universal basic income (Euronews, English) underway in some parts of Europe. The minimum wage in Portugal is €635, compared to €2,071 in Luxembourg and €286 in Bulgaria.
In brief
Appeal court considers police violence victims' appeal ‘debatable’. A proposal by the court rejected the appeals of some of the eight agents who were sentenced last year for beating six youths. But it also questioned whether the victims, who want prison sentences and a judgment taking into account allegations of racism, had the right to appeal for a higher sentence. (Diário de Notícias) You can read a report on the original trial in English here. (Al Jazeera)
Epidemiologist who set out Sweden's controversial strategy admits errors. (DN) The Telegraph reports in English on his regret at not having imposed a tougher lockdown.
Lisbon creates €3 million fund to help people buy bicycles (Público)
Opposition party proposes capitalisation of businesses and a program to attract big foreign investment. (Público)
On a lighter note
Novels are a great way to dive into a country’s culture. It can be hard to know where to start but luckily Porto-based journalist Oliver Balch has put together his top 10 for The Guardian, in English. They range from titans of Portuguese literature such as José Saramago and Fernando Pessoa through to stories by foreigners such as Life of Pi author Yann Martel.