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ALGARVE SITUATION REPORT 18 MAY 2022

Good morning we start by bringing you the latest situation regarding Covid 19 in the region. In the latest situation report by the DGS for the period between the 3rd and 9th May, there were 3,519 new cases and 9 deaths in the Algarve. The 14 day incidence rate is currently at 1358.1 per 100,000 people and the transmission rate is 1.09. All of these figures show increases on the previous week so we must all be aware that the infection is still amongst us and we should all take as much care now as we were when the pandemic was in full swing.

Meanwhile the region has seen a spate of arrests for drug trafficking.

Eight drug trafficking suspects were arrested in Vilamoura and Albufeira.

The authorities detained eight men suspected of drug trafficking in Albufeira and Vilamoura , announced the National Republican Guard.

The detainees, who are between 19 and 35 years old, were approached as part of an operation aimed at combating drug sales in areas where there are nightlife spaces in the Algarve, according to a source from the GNR’s Faro Territorial Command.

The operation had a special focus on the Vilamoura Marina and in areas of bars and clubs in Albufeira and was the result of a “strong bet” that the GNR is making on the occasion of the “beginning of the bathing season” to “fight this type of crime at night next to nightlife spaces”, he added.

According to the same source, due to the “low amounts” of drugs seized – 210 doses of cocaine, 30 doses of hashish, nine of cannabis and 1.8 grams of MDMA -, the detainees were subject to a Term of Identity and Residence and will wait in freedom, with periodic presentations, the course of the judicial process. The GNR source also said that the operation carried out over the weekend will be “maintained” in periods of greater influx to nightlife areas in the Algarve, where “this type of crime is expected to increase” with the beginning of the high season of the year. tourism in the region.

“With the start of the bathing season and a greater influx of people, after two years of the [covid-19] pandemic, we will continue to focus on these areas under control to ensure the safety of these areas” of the district, he concluded.

Woman arrested for drug trafficking in Armação de Pêra

The National Republican Guard (GNR) detained, on Thursday, in Armação de Pêra , in the municipality of Silves , a 27-year-old woman suspected of trafficking narcotics and seized 272 doses of drugs .

The arrest and seizure of the drug resulted from an investigation by the Silves Criminal Investigation Centre, which began about a month ago, the GNR said in a statement.In the operation to search the suspect’s home, the military seized 232 doses of MDMA, 40 doses of hashish, a cannabis plant, a precision scale, a cell phone and cash. The woman was made a defendant and the case sent to the Department of Investigation and Criminal Action (DIAP) at the Portimão Court.

108 kilos of hashish seized aboard a sailboat in Vilamoura

The local Command of the Maritime Police of Portimão and the Judiciary Police seized about 108 kilos of hashish aboard a sailboat anchored south of Vilamoura , in the municipality of Loulé, on Monday, May 16, announced the Maritime Authority. National. The hashish was divided into 215 packages and was detected during an inspection at sea, at 1:20 pm.

The sailboat, with two crew on board, had a propulsion failure and “for safety reasons for navigation”, it was towed to the port of Vilamoura, where it was inspected in order to prevent a possible sinking.The 215 packages of hashish were later handed over to the Judiciary Police and the two crew members were arrested on suspicion of drug trafficking.

Deaths have returned to the region’s roads again in the past week when two women were killed while walking along the EN125 road near in the area of ​​Quatro Estradas. “It was a fatal accident, in the area of ​​Quatro Estradas, on the EN125, and the victims are two women, aged 47 and 75 years old”, said the CDOS source in Faro, specifying that the alert for the occurrence was received at 7:37 and the victims are mother and daughter. The CDOS source also said that the driver was “transported to the hospital with minor injuries”, and the GNR Traffic Accidents Nucleus is now working to investigate the causes of the fatal crash.

The rescue teams received the alert for the accident at 07:37 and were on site to provide assistance to six vehicles, with 14 operational, from the Loulé Fire Department, the National Institute of Medical Emergency (INEM) and the GNR. Quatro Estradas is located on the EN125 between Loulé and Quarteira, close to the west entrance to Almancil.

Also along the EN125, A head-on collision this morning 17/05 between Estômbar and Parchal , in the municipality of Lagoa , caused two injuries and forced the EN125 to be cut, according to a source from the District Relief Operations Command (CDOS) in Faro. The same source indicated that it was necessary to carry out an extrication operation.

The alert was given at 04:38 and forced the mobilisation of 11 operatives supported by eight vehicles, according to information made available on the website of the National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection.

On a more happy note, The Municipality of Monchique is organising a new initiative that aims to celebrate local traditions, which will take place on the 28th and 29th of May, announced the municipality .

Entitled “Vamos à Vila”, this initiative will take place in some arteries of Monchique, which will be closed to traffic, inviting everyone to share knowledge and flavours of the territory.

“We want to highlight the genuineness associated with local products and let it speak for itself and highlight rural experiences, so that they result in an effective archive, to keep and preserve”, says the municipality in a statement.

Through this initiative, the municipality intends to “place Monchique and its identity heritage in its affective geography ” and that “it is a territory of proximity between popular culture, music, arts and crafts and local knowledge and flavours”.

With free admission, this event includes gastronomy, shows, workshops, exhibitions, entertainment and dance in its program.

The Municipality of Loulé is getting ready to celebrate another anniversary and, this year, the commemorative program that takes place from the 21st to the 29th of May, includes the inauguration of the Islamic Baths of Loulé and the Manor House of Barreto.

Cultural, educational, environmental, social or sports activities mark this Municipality Week, which will make known to the public what is the work carried out by the municipality in the different areas of intervention and the main guidelines of local governance in recent years.

And because the defence of its natural heritage is, from the outset, one of the priority interventions, one of the highlights of these celebrations goes to the inauguration of the Advanced Civil Protection Unit in Vale Maria Dias, on May 24, at 2 pm.

The expansion of the former Casa dos Cantoneiros in Serra do Caldeirão, in the parish of Salir, made it possible to install the base for a Civil Protection detachment in the interior. Command Post, logistical support for Civil Protection operations, headquarters for forest sappers, space for training in the field of forest fire protection and temporary shelter for the population are some of the building’s valences.

Thursday of Ascension or Thursday of the Espiga, May 26, marks the Municipality Day and with it the official moments that take place in the morning, in Praça da República, such as the hoisting of the Flag, graduation of the Municipal Firefighters and Banda Philharmonic Artists of Minerva and homage to the soldiers who died in the War of the ex-colonies.

In a solemn public ceremony that takes place this year outdoors, at Cerca do Convento, from 9:45 am, it is time for the speech by the mayor of Loulé, Vítor Aleixo, and for the launch of the video “It is good to live in Loulé ”. It is in the same place that, at 11:15 am, José Eduardo Agualusa will receive the Grand Prize for Chronicles and Dispersos Literaries APE/ CM de Loulé, which this year distinguishes the work “O Mais Belo Fim do Mundo”, by this Angolan writer.

Finally as the summer season is starting to bring more visitors to the region there authorities have issued a warning about unstable cliff areas along the coastline.

As bathing season kicks off in the Algarve, the authorities are once again warning beach-goers of the dangers when sheltering under the cliffs.

On rocky coasts, there are cliffs that are permanently or periodically exposed to the sea, causing the natural erosion of the cliffs, which in turn can result in landslides or rock falls. This poses a danger for beach-goers in certain areas.

The APA, Portuguese Environment Agency, in conjunction with safety authorities, is promoting the placement of risk signs on the beaches, where cliffs that pose a risk have been identified, as a way of informing and raising awareness among users of these bathing areas.

The APA has produced a list of the beaches in the Algarve where there are dangerous cliffs, showing areas of beach to avoid.  Which you can find at this link: https://apambiente.pt/prevencao-e-gestao-de-riscos/faixas-de-riscos-das-arribas

Have a safe and happy week.

ALGARVE SITUATION REPORT WEDNESDAY 11 MAY 2022

Hotel occupancy in the Algarve in April increased compared to 2021 

Hotel occupancy in the Algarve in April increased compared to 2021, but still remained below the value recorded in 2019, the reference year for the sector as the impact of the pandemic has not yet been verified.  In a statement, the Association of Hotels and Tourist Enterprises of the Algarve (AHETA) states that, in relation to 2019, the average global occupancy rate per room was 60.4%, 7.3% less than the value recorded in 2019. Compared to 2021, the average occupancy in April rose 650%, adds AHETA, specifying that the sales value increased by 775% compared to the same month last year and 5% compared to April 2019. AHETA notes, however, that sales made through online platforms “do not include the payment of the respective commissions, which influences the year-on-year increase in sales volume and, therefore, the prices charged”.  The British and Irish markets were the ones that showed the biggest increases compared to April 2019. The biggest drops were those of the national and German markets, concludes the note.

Volunteers removed 4 tons of debris from Algarve beaches.

About four tons of debris were removed from 10 beaches and seabeds in the Algarve under the “Praia Limpa” operation, which took place on Sunday in five municipalities in the region.   The fourth edition of the initiative, promoted by an oceanographic park in partnership with several local entities, made it possible to remove around four tons of glass, paper, plastic, grating, old fishing gear and undifferentiated waste.

  In a statement, Zoomarine said that approximately three tons were removed from the seabed in the port of Culatra Island, in an operation coordinated by the Portuguese Navy and the National Maritime Authority.  “Naturally, much remains to be done, however, the growth of this movement encourages us to continue and reinforce, year after year, this environmental responsibility initiative”,  The initiative, which lasted about two hours, took place on land and at sea on beaches in the municipalities of Silves, Albufeira, Lagoa, Loulé and Faro, involving dozens of volunteers.

  In addition to Zoomarine and the five municipalities, Algar, the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA), the Institute for Nature and Forest Conservation (ICNF), the Portuguese Institute for Youth and Sports (IPDJ), the Navy Portuguesa, Turismo do Algarve, Centro Europe Direct Algarve, Águas do Algarve and three private partners.

Started in 2017, in conjunction with the “Montanha Verde” operation, the “Praia Limpa” operation is part of the environmental responsibility initiative “Together we protect” (in Portuguese, “Juntos Protegemos”).

 The next planned action is the “Green Mountain 2022” operation, on November 6th and 7th.  Under the initiative, 42,000 trees will be offered to plant in eight municipalities in the Algarve.

ALBUFEIRA BATHING SEASON STARTS ON 13 MAY 

Bathing season 2022 starts this Friday in the municipality With about 30 kilometres of coastline, the municipality of Albufeira has some of the most beautiful beaches.

The 2022 bathing season starts in Albufeira next Friday, May 13th, with a program that welcomes beach lovers.  Praia dos Pescadores is the stage for the ceremony that starts at 10:00 and has a program with several activities.  This year, the Blue Flag Association of Europe awarded 26 awards to Albufeira, that is, to all the beaches in the county and to the Albufeira Marina.

 The awarding of the awards complies with several demanding criteria, namely factors such as cleanliness, accessibility or water quality.  The actions begin on the opening day of the bathing season with “Health and Safety at the Beach”, an awareness-raising action on health and safety care to be taken on the beach.  Topics such as the collapse of cliffs, sun exposure, safety rules and waste on the sand are the focus of the training, which starts at 10:15 am, on the sands of Praia dos Pescadores.

 During the morning there will also be a simulation of drowning and rescue of bathers, using the resources of the Maritime Authority, the Association of Lifeguards of Albufeira, the Institute for Rescue and the Marine Police.  At the same time, several vehicles used by the municipality to clean beaches through waste collection will be on display on the beach.

OVER 1000 UKRAINIAN REFUGEES HAVE SOUGHT PROTECTION FROM ALBUFEIRA MUNICIPALITY.

Whilst Portugal has granted 35,778 requests for temporary protection to people who fled the Ukrainian war up to this Monday, More than a thousand Ukrainian refugees have already asked the Albufeira municipality for protection The municipality of Albufeira is one of the municipalities with the most requests for temporary protection granted to Ukrainian refugees, having received 1072 so far, according to the Foreigners and Borders Service (SEF).

Portugal has until this Monday granted 35,778 requests for temporary protection to people who fled the war in Ukraine, of which more than 33% were minors.  In a report published  on requests for temporary protection granted to citizens who fled the Ukrainian war that began on February 24, the SEF states that the municipalities with the highest number of refugees are Lisbon (5,145), Cascais (2,291), Sintra (1,339), Porto (1,223) and Albufeira (1,072).

 Of the 35,778 requests for temporary protections, 23,844 were granted to women and 11,934 to men, according to the security service.  The SEF also reports that it issued 31,533 certificates granting residence permits under the temporary protection regime.

 This certificate, issued after the National Health Service, Social Security and Tax Authority have assigned the respective numbers, is necessary for refugees to start working and access support.

During the process of allocating these numbers, citizens can consult the numbers that, in the meantime, are being allocated, in their reserved area of ​​the digital platform https://sefforukraine.sef.pt.

The SEF also adds that requests for temporary protection were authorised for 12,023 minors, representing 33.6% of the total.  The SEF also reports that it communicated to the Public Prosecutor’s Office the situation of 629 Ukrainian minors who arrived in Portugal without their parents or legal representatives, cases in which it is considered that there is no “current or imminent danger”.  The SEF also communicated to the Commission for the Protection of Children and Youth (CPCJ) the situation of 15 minors who arrived in Portugal unaccompanied, but with someone other than their parents or a proven legal representative, representing these cases “current or imminent danger”.

 The request for temporary protection to Portugal can be made through that online platform created by the SEF, available in three languages, with adults not having to resort to the counters of this security service.  However, in the case of minors, it is mandatory to go to a Foreigners and Borders Service desk to confirm identity and affiliation.

SUPERMARKET CHAIN TO DONATE 85,000 EUROS TO CULTURAL SOCIETY OF OLHAO.

Mission Continente will deliver a donation of 85,000 thousand euros, an amount raised within the scope of the Christmas 2021 campaign, to ACASO – Associação Cultural e de Apoio Social de Olhão, on 11 May, Wednesday, at 10:00 am, at association headquarters.

The event will be attended by the president of the ACASO Board, António Francisco Ventura Pina, the project coordinator, Isadora Barbosa and the Continente Bom Dia de Olhão store director, Susete Pio.

The donation from Missão Continente aims to update the project created by ACASO in 2012 and which includes home visits to elderly people who suffer from isolation and/or need closer monitoring, through the intervention of association employees and a network of volunteers. and partnerships.  Activities can involve reading books, talking about various topics or taking supermarket and pharmacy purchases to the beneficiary’s homes.

The “Lights with Presence” campaign by Missão Continente, which ran from November 20, 2021 to January 6, 2022, raised a total of one million and 200 thousand euros, which were totally donated to 11 national institutions dedicated to monitoring citizens in or at risk of social isolation and loneliness.

ANIMAL RESCUE ALGARVE ENDS RESCUES IN UKRAINE.

The Association entered Ukraine to help people and animals. More than a month ago, Animal Rescue Algarve (ARA), an animal shelter located in the municipality of Loulé, received a substantial amount of requests for assistance in the extreme situations resulting from the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

 The requests came from former international volunteers from the Workaway platform (especially from German and Polish citizens) – an international database that awarded ARA for the excellence of its work.  Recognizing “the immense love and support” shown by those volunteers, the Association committed to sending a team to help with emergencies of a humanitarian or animal nature, felt on the ground, whether in Polish or Ukrainian territory.

 As such, four volunteers (two Portuguese and two Polish) left Loulé with a van full of donations with the mission of helping those who needed it most.  Entering Ukraine When it comes to animals, there are increasing reports associated with the extreme neglect and abuse taking place within Ukraine’s borders.  “On the border with Poland there is a worrying growing number of unaccompanied animals, trapped for bureaucratic reasons, where they stay without leaving their cages, without the minimum hygiene and health care”, reveals ARA. Adding to the complexity of the problem, “there is a very limited number of people allowed to enter Ukraine through Poland, that is, the place where the most help is needed is the same place where the help does not arrive”.

The Loulé Association was also involved in organising, in partnership with other NGOs, the transport of cats to a shelter in Northern Portugal, as well as in Florida (United States of America).  Donations During a crisis that has affected thousands of people and animals, the distribution of essentials and other donations will always be central to any rescue and volunteer efforts.  With that in mind, during its month-long mission, ARA acquired and distributed medicines for people and animals, hygiene products, harnesses, animal transport crates, food and clothing.

Volunteering ARA had teams of volunteers deployed at the ‘Tesco’ refugee centre, as well as at the ‘Galeria Krakowska’, where volunteers were needed to organise donations, drive people and provide medical support.  On the animal front, the crisis resulting from the war has led “to an extreme need for immediate response spaces”.  With that in mind, the Pegasus Foundation acquired warehouses where the ARA team was central in organising donations, as well as preparing specific areas for the incoming animals.

 ARA also contributed to the administration of medicines to weakened animals, animal walks and socialisation, transport, acquisition and distribution of donations, 24-hour reception and the facilitation of temporary shelter for animals belonging to Ukrainian refugees.  About ARA ARA is a charitable association whose main objective is to collect, rehabilitate and rehome dogs and cats.

This institution was founded in 2017 by an English entrepreneur residing in the Algarve who financed the total cost of the project and has also financed all operating costs since its creation.  The ARA administration consists of twelve individuals, all of whom are volunteers.

PORTIMÃO: UNEXPLAINED EXPLOSION THROWS MAN FROM SIXTH FLOOR APARTMENT

Authorities are investigating the explosion that took place at 4:30 yesterday afternoon, which projected the man from the sixth floor apartment, killing him. The explosion took place at an apartment building on Rua Drummond de Andrade, in Portimão. The victim’s burned body was found lifeless on the street. According to Portuguese newspaper Correio da Manhã, “a PSP team of specialists in the inactivation of explosive devices is carrying out checks on the apartment”.

A police source has said that the situation at this point seems “very suspicious”, with indications that the explosion was not caused by gas, but with accidental or intentional detonation of an artisanal device, adding that “due to these suspicions, an explosive device inactivation team was deployed, which is carrying out an inspection of the property to verify that it is safe for the criminal investigation team to enter”.

ALGARVE COVID SITUATION AS OF 4 MAY 2022. 

The 7 day Incidence rate for the Algarve stands at 682 per 100,000 over the 7 day period. A rise of 21% on the previous week.

The Rt Rate is now 0.95 compared to 0.91 the previous week. Whilst cases are increasing the number of deaths and those entering hospitals is remaining steady.

The Algarve Situation Report Wednesday 4^th May 2022

by Mike Evans

The Ria Formosa Natural Park celebrates its 44th anniversary on Saturday, May 7th, with a diversified program and an Open Day for all ages in Olhão and Faro, announced the Institute for the Conservation of Nature and Forests (ICNF).

The Marine Environmental Education Centre, in Olhão, will have exhibitions, guided tours, bird watching, live science activities, traditional games, sports in nature and the launch of the book “Discovering the Ria Formosa”.

In Faro and Olhão there will be boat trips, a segway tour with a guide on Ludo and a stand up paddle experience exclusively for children from the Nossa Senhora das Candeias institution.

The third edition of Bioblitz integrates the celebrations with visits to explore the biodiversity that will identify and record various species of fauna and flora that exist at the Marim Environmental Education Centre.

All activities are free and aim to “raise the population’s awareness of the valuable heritage of the Ria Formosa Natural Park and reveal a range of recreational and leisure activities that can be developed in harmony with nature”, according to the statement.

Two women and a man were caught stealing catalytic converters in Ferragudo.

The National Republican Guard (GNR) detained on April 24, two women aged 33 and 49 and a 20-year-old man, for attempting to steal a car catalytic converter, in Ferragudo, municipality of Lagoa.

After a complaint that a theft was taking place, the military moved quickly to the scene, having surprised the suspects in the act, “the man was still with the cutting saw in his hand carrying out the theft”, adds the same force. security, in a statement.

 Upon realising the arrival of the patrol, the suspects tried to escape, but were eventually intercepted. In the operation, the GNR carried out several steps, which culminated in the seizure of various material: a vehicle; three watches; a car jack; various blades for chainsaws and a chainsaw. The detainees were made arguidos, and the facts were referred to the Judicial Court of Portimão.

Emergency exercise at Faro airport tests response from several entities.

Faro airport, in collaboration with the National Maritime Authority and the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority, is carrying out, this Wednesday, an emergency exercise “FAO_LIVEX _2021”, between 16:00 and 20:00.

In a statement, ANA – Aeroportos de Portugal, states that this exercise aims to comply with the guidelines recommended by the EASA (European Union Safety Aviation Agency), about carrying out full-scale exercises, to practice the response rapid and coordinated use of internal resources, as well as the device of the integrated system of protection and rescue operations.

 It will be the first time that this exercise, held every two years in the Algarve, will take place in the area surrounding the airport, in the public maritime domain, given its proximity to the Ria Formosa.

 ANA clarifies that during this exercise “the equipment acquired specifically to provide assistance and rescue in situations of air accidents that may occur in swampy and difficult to access areas will be used and tested, following the protocol signed with the National Maritime Authority.

 It will also be the culmination of an operational training program between internal and external rescue teams, which took place throughout the past year with the participation of local bodies from the National Maritime Authority, the airport’s rescue and firefighting service, firefighters from the Algarve and INEM.

 In this simulation operation, all the rescue means involved in the Emergency Plan for Faro airport and in the Prior Intervention Plan of ANEPC – National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority will be activated, so there will be a high number of rescue vehicles”. and emergency” that will circulate with the respective audible and visual emergency signals.

Maritime Police carried out an inspection action aimed at the practice of bivalves capture activity in Tavira.

​During the action, several shellfish gatherers were detected in the capture of bivalves, using fishing gear called “hand hooks” and “xalavar”, without proper licensing, and they ended up fleeing when they realised the approach of the police, according to the Maritime Authority in a statement.

 The respective news reports were drawn up and about 30kg of razor clams and 20kg of clams were seized, as well as a total of four fishing gears. Since the bivalves are still alive, they were returned to their natural habitat, according to the same source.

The Portimão PSP detained a 23-year-old man for drug trafficking.

In a statement, the PSP said that the arrest took place on April 29, when the suspect was arrested in flagrante delicto carrying out a drug transaction.

After a search of the individual’s residence was carried out, various means of evidence were seized, namely 2064 doses of heroin, 535 doses of cocaine, about 1340 euros suspected of coming from illicit activity and various materials for weighing, cutting, and packaging the product. narcotic. The PSP says there are strong indications that the suspect is engaged in drug trafficking on a repeated basis.  Present in court, the detainee was subject to the coercive measure of preventive detention. 

Two crew members of a sailboat with a German flag, which was adrift about two miles (approximately three and a half kilometres) from Lagos, without onboard power and manoeuvrability, were rescued by the elements of the Sagres Lifeguard Station. .

After the alert was received at 20:00, the sailboat was towed to the port of Lagos. The crew members were in good physical condition, without the need for medical assistance, confirms the National Maritime Authority in a statement. The Local Command of the Maritime Police of Lagos took charge of the occurrence.

Sardine fishing resumed on Monday 2 May, from 00:00, with the Portuguese fleet having a global limit of 29,400 tonnes of catches discharged with the seine art for 2022, according to an order published today.

The diploma defines, on each fishing day, the limit of sardines allowed to unload or sell sardines, with a maximum of 495 kilos of sardines calibrated as T4, different for vessels with an overall length of less than or equal to nine metres. (1,080 kilos), greater than nine metres and less than or equal to 16 metres (2,160 kilos) and greater than 16 metres (3,240 kilos).

 The order prohibits the capture, maintenance on board, unloading and sale of sardines “on all days of national holidays” and prohibits the transfer of sardines to a different auction house from the one corresponding to the port of discharge, as well as the same vessel unloading in more than one port each day.

 The fishing day corresponds to each period of 24 hours, after the end of the 48-hour stop during the weekend, defined by areas of jurisdiction of the captaincies.

Covid.19: Active cases and hospitalizations going down in the Algarve

The weekly bulletin regarding the epidemiological situation in the Algarve, confirms 6,312 active cases in the region, with 2,274 new cases registered in the last week.

According to data from the Algarve Regional Health Administration – ARS, in the last 24 hours, 396 new cases were confirmed, with 6,259 people recovering at home and 53 hospitalised, 1 in Intensive Care Units.   Under active surveillance are 1,197 people.

Compared to last week’s bulletin, 276 less active cases are confirmed. Another 2,542 people have recovered from Covid.19.  There are 4 fewer hospitalised (53), 2 less in Intensive Care (1) and the absence of ventilated patients remains (0). Under active surveillance are 676 fewer people.  In the last week, 8 deaths were recorded.