What's new with beaches, planes and the border with Spain
English language coronavirus news in Portugal on May 13, 2020.
By the numbers
The stats are looking good again today even if it’s a bit rainy outside. There are fewer new confirmed cases, deaths and recoveries than yesterday, although only the recoveries are a big difference (169 down from 464). Authorities expect the effects of the first few days of reopening, from May 4, to start showing up in the daily figures in the next few days.
Beaches, planes and the border with Spain
The border between Portugal and Spain will stay shut for the time being, with no date set for a possible reopening, Público reports. The border control, in place since March 16, prohibits border crossings for tourism and leisure, allowing only transfers of goods and cross-border workers to pass. The Council of Ministers on Tuesday decided to keep the border closed beyond May 15, when the order was due to expire. Minister of Internal Administration Eduardo Cabrita didn’t mark a date for reopening, saying it would “depend on the success” of both countries in fighting the pandemic.
Even though most European countries are starting to reopen, Diário de Notícias is telling people to forget about international holidays in June. The newspaper points out most countries are imposing quarantines on any foreign visitors, that is if they’re allowing non-essential visitors at all. Even the Portuguese islands of The Azores and Madeira are currently subjecting travellers from the mainland to 14 days’ isolation.
Various mayors have been putting proposals on the table for reopening beaches but nothing is decided yet, Público reports. Proposals range from grids on the sand and drone surveillance in Espinho, to private security guards in the Algarve.
Photo: Jorge Branco
The European Commission, meanwhile, has decided not to recommend forcing planes to leave seats empty as they return to the skies, following sustained pressure from the airline industry, Reuters reports in English. Travellers would have to wear masks on planes and in airports, the commission decided in non-binding recommendations delivered today. It also promised to open legal cases against countries that breached EU law by not ensuring cash refunds for coronavirus-induced holiday or travel cancellations. A string of other travel-related measures include the removal of things such as benches and tables that encourage crowding in travel hub (ENG) and allocated slots for meal times and pool visits at hotel (ENG).
Authorities release rules for kids returning to creche
Young kids heading back to creche (nursery, kindergarten etc) will have to take their shoes off at the door and leave their toys at home, among a list of measures to combat the pandemic, Diário de Notícias reports. They’ll be accompanied by workers to their classroom, which will have less kids, be disinfected regularly and made as airy as possible. The kids will have their own mat laid out as far away from their colleagues as possible at nap time and their own place marked for meals. The guidelines from the Directorate-General of Health doesn’t include 1.5-2 metres of social distancing between kids, instead relying on the teachers to make sure the rules are followed. The return, which has been subject to a lot of criticism over concerns about the health of the kids, is marked down for May 18. One Portuguese child has become ill, Diário de Notícias reports, with the inflammatory condition associated with the novel coronavirus that has begun troubling doctors. The New York Times explains what we know about the condition so far.
The government is testing Portugal's exposure to COVID-19
The first cross-sectional study is under way, aiming to test the population’s immunity to the virus, Público reports. Secretary of State for Health, António Lacerda Sales, made the guarantee during today’s daily update on the state of the pandemic. Portuguese antibody tests have been in the works since the start of April. On April 22, Director-General of Health Graça Freitas said a serological study of the population would begin at the start of May. It’s hoped these tests, for antibodies to the virus, can help determine immunity. But it’s important to note the World Health Organisation’s latest advice remains that “there is currently no evidence that people who have recovered from COVID-19 and have antibodies are protected from a second infection.”
In brief
Prime Minister launches the President for a bid at a second term. Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa still hadn’t announced plans to run for the presidency again, but that didn’t stop António Costa expressing his desire to see his companion hold on to the job.
Almost two-thirds of the Portuguese workforce is in 'lay-off'. Finance Minister Mario Centeno said 62% of those working in February were subject to the regime, which sees affected workers receive at least a third of their salary, 70% paid by the government
Spain and Germany deal blow to hopes of tourism revival (English)
On a lighter note
It’s time to mark another chapter in the story of the pandemic forcing Portuguese businesses onto the internet. Baixa Chiado Online is a relatively simple portal linking through to the websites of dozens of shops in Lisbon’s popular shopping district. The 60-plus businesses currently featured range from national brands and hotels through to 100-year-old jewellers and food and drink outlets. But the organisation behind it also wants to help other businesses transition into the “digital world” to “widen their horizons”.
This video is not strictly related to Baixa Chiado Online but it’s pretty cool.