Portugal Situation Report Wednesday 16th March 2022
Introduction
Good morning – Since our last weekly the report the situation in Ukraine has escalated, in terms of intensity of the invasion, which is clearly targeted at civilians in addition, to military targets. The number of casualties has increased considerably on both sides and at the time of writing around 3 million people have left Ukraine in order to find safety in various countries, including Portugal.
The damage to the country’s infrastructure and cities is considerable and most regrettable are the attacks on medical facilities including hospitals. It is essential that Putin and others responsible are held account, as from what we have seen such attacks amount to war crimes. Evidence is now being gathered and one hopes it is sufficient to bring prosecutions for those responsible.
Russian ground troops are meeting considerable resistance from Ukrainian forces and volunteers and not making the headway they were no doubt planning. The last week has seen a marked change in tactics from the Russian military as the scope of the war in Ukraine has widened. Advanced weapons, especially man-portable anti-tank and air defence systems, as well as small arms and ammunition, have been pouring into Ukraine. These have made a significant impact on the battlefield as Russian tanks, armoured vehicles, supply trucks and helicopters have repeatedly been targeted and destroyed.
In response there appears instead to be an increase in the use of longer range artillery and missiles, which Russia can launch from within the safety of Russia itself with greater collateral damage, at the same time protecting its troops. The more the resistance by Ukraine, the more likelihood of this type of bombardment continuing or indeed increasing.
The threat of the war extending to neighbouring countries is grave concern, particularly so to Polish people who have taken in so far over a million refugees placing considerable pressure on their own systems. Putin has declared that western arms supply routes are “legitimate” targets” for military strikes and as these extend through Poland (a NATO member), these are legitimate concerns. The strike by Russia on a base just 15 miles from the Polish border, is clearly testing western response and is an escalation of an already volatile situation.
One can only admire the bravery of Marina Ovsyannikova, an editor at the Russian state controlled Channel 1. Holding an anti-war sign she ran on to the set of a Russian evening news programme Channel 1 on Monday evening. The sign, clearly visible behind the presenter, read: “No war, stop the war, don’t believe the propaganda, they are lying to you here. Russian TV news is tightly controlled by the Kremlin and reflects only the Russian version of events in Ukraine. She also recorded a peace message beforehand. Both of these would have been seen by millions both within Russia and overseas. Interesting she was fined just $280 and released yesterday.
The response by Portugal Government, Ukrainian groups and citizens has been considerable and sets a fine example in the way everyone has come together in trying to help the many refugees seeking safety here. From driving in convoys to Poland to making cash donations; to making available accommodation Portugal has once again shown it is a deeply caring society.
As a consequence of this and also because Covid-19 figures are now only reported weekly rather than daily there has been far less news concerning Covid-19. Last Friday the INSA reported the cumulative number of new SARS-CoV-2 / COVID-19 infections per 100 000 inhabitants over the last 14 days was 1449, reflecting a stable trend. The R(t) transmission rate has increased to 0.99 and is over 1 again in four regions. As such if this continues case number will increase. However the number of deaths and those in ICU is showing a welcome decreasing trend.
Although earlier forecasts were that there would be little rain this month we are now experiencing a damp spell as a result of Depression Celia. Please therefore monitor the weather warnings from the IPMA which we publish, especially when these are raised to orange or even red level (the latter as was the case on Monday in Madeira). The latter indicates a threat to life or property.
Lastly advice from DGS concerning the dust from Africa which is affecting mainland Portugal at present DGS warned of the poor air quality in mainland Portugal, with greater concentration in the North and Central regions of the country, due to dust coming from North Africa . The situation should last until Thursday. According to the health authority, the particles that now cross the national territory are inhalable, that is, more harmful to the respiratory system.
For the general population, the DGS recommends avoiding prolonged exertion, limiting physical activity outdoors and exposure to risk factors (such as tobacco). The most sensitive population, namely children, the elderly, patients with chronic respiratory problems and cardiovascular patients, should redouble their health care. You are advised to stay inside buildings with windows closed whenever possible.
With that have a Safe day
Covid 19
Covid-19: Prevalence of the BA.2 lineage of the Omicron variant increases to 82% – INSA
Lisbon, March 15, 2022 (Lusa) – The BA.2 lineage of the Omicron variant of the SARS-Cov-2 coronavirus, considered more transmissible, is responsible for 82% of infections recorded in Portugal, while the prevalence of the BA.1 lineage has dropped to 18%, estimated today by INSA.
“It is estimated that the BA.2 lineage is clearly dominant in Portugal, representing 82% of the positive samples on March 14th”, advances the weekly report on the genetic diversity of SARS-CoV-2 by the Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo George (INSA).
The BA.2 lineage, which shares several genetic characteristics with BA.1, was detected in Portugal at the end of 2021 and has been increasing in prevalence since then.
Classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as of concern, the Omicron variant encompasses several lineages identified by the prefix `BA´, including BA.1 and BA.2, which descend from the same ancestral lineage (B.1.1. 529) and have an “excess” of mutations in the `spike´ protein.
As for BA.1, identified for the first time in Portugal in November 2021 and which reached a maximum prevalence of 95.6% of infections in January, the downward trend of recent weeks continues, now dropping to 18%, advances the INSA.
Recently, the WHO advanced that preliminary studies suggest that BA.2 is more transmissible than BA.1, but the organization noted that the ‘real world’ data on clinical severity in South Africa, the United Kingdom and Denmark, where immunity from vaccination and natural infection is high, indicate that “there was no reported difference in severity between BA.2 and BA.1”.
News
Lisbon, March 15, 2022 (Lusa) – The President of the Republic stated today that the trip of three European heads of government to Kiev is “the maximum possible solidarity” with Ukraine, stressing that it represents the “feeling of the European Union”.
“It is a visible sign of how closely the European Union is following what is happening in Ukraine, there is no way closer than actually going there in the middle of the war – it had already happened before the war – being there to say ‘look at that we, despite all the risks that there may be in a trip like this, are in solidarity”, said Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.
The President of the Republic reacted to the visit of the Prime Ministers of Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovenia to Kiev, where they will meet today with the Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, shortly after having attended a meeting between the photographer Alfredo Cunha and students of the secondary education, within the scope of the program “Artistas no Palácio de Belém”.
According to the President of the Republic, the displacement of the three heads of Government represents “the maximum of solidarity possible”, since, “not being able to go many more people”, go “the representatives of some of the peoples” who “represent the feeling of the European Union”.
Polish, Czech and Slovenian prime ministers travel to Kiev today as representatives of the European Council to meet the Ukrainian President, the Polish government announced in a statement.
Portugal has so far granted more than 9,200 requests for temporary protection to people coming from Ukraine as a result of the war situation, the Foreigners and Borders Service (SEF) revealed to Lusa.
COVID-19 EU plans to purchase and distribute vaccines to refugees
The European Union (EU) is planning to purchase and distribute vaccines against infectious diseases – including measles, polio, tuberculosis and Covid-19 – to immunize Ukrainian children and unvaccinated refugees. The announcement was made by European Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides following an extraordinary videoconference of EU Health Ministers.
The decision comes at a time when around three million people, half of them children, have already left Ukraine in the wake of the Russian invasion and headed mainly for EU member states.
“Vaccination coverage in Ukraine was very low for several diseases that are preventable, especially for children, such as tuberculosis, polio, measles, but also for Covid-19,” Kyriakides told ministers.
Portugal granted more than 9200 requests for temporary protection
According to the latest update, the SEF has accepted 9,225 requests for temporary protection since the beginning of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24.
By the end of Monday, 8,250 requests had been registered.
The Portuguese Government grants temporary protection to people coming from Ukraine as a result of the war situation.
The SEF has an ‘online’ platform, in three different languages, for requests for temporary protection by Ukrainian residents.
The ‘SEFforUkraine.sef.pt’ platform “enables all Ukrainian citizens and their family members (household), as well as any foreign citizen residing in Ukraine, to make an online request for temporary protection of one year, extendable for two periods of six months”, according to the SEF.
Ukraine: Wave of solidarity in Lisbon showed readiness to welcome refugees
The wave of solidarity with Ukraine was heard in Lisbon on Monday night, in a session on welcoming Ukrainian families, with several people offering refuge in their homes.
The president of the National Commission for the Promotion of Rights and Protection of Children and Youth (CNPDPCJ), Rosário Farmhouse, however, warned of the need to pay special attention to unaccompanied children.
More than 100 people in person and another 1,000 ‘online’ participated in the clarification session, which took place in the auditorium of Forum Lisboa, seat of the Municipal Assembly, which was illuminated with the lights of the Ukrainian flag (blue and yellow).
As hostess, the also president of the Lisbon Municipal Assembly, Rosário Farmhouse (PS) stated that, in supporting Ukrainian refugees fleeing the war: “We are all too few for the challenges ahead”.
As president of the CNPDPCJ, Rosário Farmhouse warned of unaccompanied children arriving from Ukraine, a situation for which there is still no official record, explaining that the reception of these minors requires registration on the Portugal for Ukraine platform, followed by an interview with the Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa or Social Security.
In the event that there are families already hosting only children from Ukraine, it is mandatory to go in person to the Aliens and Borders Service (SEF) to formalize the registration, to protect these minors who are away from their families and to avoid “false rescues” for networks of human trafficking.
“This reception can be temporary in the short term, but it can take a long time, because we are facing a situation of war, and the families that host have to be able to have an elastic heart”, warned the president of the CNPDPCJ, who has also been High Commissioner for Immigration .
More than 200 municipalities are not prepared to face climate change
More than 200 municipalities in Portugal are not prepared to face climate change, according to an analysis by Deco, which warns of the need to protect consumers and implement local measures.
In a statement to mark World Consumer Rights Day and to mark the launch of the campaign “Climate Change: is your municipality ready?” Deco says it has analysed the measures taken by 308 municipalities to face climate change and concluded that 55 have not any adaptation plan and 227 are not prepared.
“Among the municipalities that have a plan, 172 have joined inter-municipal plans, which means that only 81 municipalities are prepared for climate change”, according to Deco’s analysis.
The association also analysed the transparency of information provided to consumers through the municipalities’ websites, having concluded that 93% do not report on what measures are being implemented in the municipality.
It also concludes that 83% do not have clarification on the climate vulnerabilities of the municipality, the impacts that have already occurred and the climate projections that already affect or will affect the municipality.
Therefore, the consumer protection association – Deco defends that all municipalities must have local solutions to respond to climate change in the areas of mobility, housing, waste management, water efficiency and food
Infarmed orders withdrawal of batches of medication to prevent rickets
Infarmed ordered, this Tuesday, the withdrawal from the market of eight batches of the drug Vigantol, for the prevention of vitamin D deficiency and rickets, after irregular results of the active substance Colecalciferol were detected.
The suspension of the sale of the eight lots of Vigantol (Cholecalciferol, 0.5 mg/ml, oral solution, 10 ml dropper bottle) with the registration number 9881706, was determined “due to the detection of results outside the specifications for the active substance”. Cholecalciferol-Vitamin D3 (during stability tests) “, says the National Medicines and Health Products Authority in an informative circular published on the website.
The batches in question are 19LQ080, LQ081, LQ098, LQ099, LQ100, with an expiration date of 11/2024, and batches 20BQ128, 20BQ129 and 20BQ130, with an expiration date of 01/2025.
According to Infarmed, the company P&G Health Germany GmbH will carry out the voluntary collection of these lots of Vigantol, indicated for the prevention of rickets and osteomalacia in children and adults and the prevention of vitamin D deficiency in children and adults.
Thus, the Algarve Football Association (AFA), following its policy of social responsibility, in partnership with the Portuguese Football Federation, invited all its affiliates and the community in general to participate in this plan, in order to support Ukrainian refugees arriving in the region.
Greece has also dropped its guidance for face masks to be worn in busy outdoor spaces. Since 7 February, double vaccinated visitors have been able to enter Greece with proof of vaccination alone – no testing required. However, as of January, the country has stamped an expiry date of 270 days on vaccine validity – meaning if your second dose of the vaccine was more than 270 days ago (about nine months), you’ll need a booster to still qualify as fully vaccinated. Travellers to Greece must have had their second vaccine dose more than 14 days ago but fewer than 180 days ago in order to use proof of vaccination alone.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and the country’s state governors last month endorsed a three-step plan to end many remaining virus restrictions by March 20.
Families in Madeira and Porto Santo who are willing to voluntarily host refugees who had to flee the Ukraine conflict can fill an online form expressing this desire. The online form is short, can be filled quickly and will help the authorities in their planning.
The Municipality of Funchal announced there will be water supply disruption TODAY, between Estrada da Fundoa and Ponte de Pau, from 15h00 to 23h00. The following areas will be affected:
“We will continue fighting for our land, whatever the cost. We will fight in the forests, the fields, the shores and in the streets.” Ukraine will not give up and “we will not lose”.
Just before the invasion on Feb. 24, only 35% of the Ukrainian population had been vaccinated. That puts it in line with most of its neighbouring countries, although some, including Poland and Hungary, have achieved higher vaccination coverage. Like many other countries, Ukraine experienced a surge in cases due to the Omicron variant in November and another peak in the first week of February—most likely due to its low level of vaccination. By the middle of February, 60% of COVID-19 tests conducted in the country were positive.
“These people who choose Portugal to rebuild their lives, destroyed by the military conflict, are mainly women and children, most of them family members of Ukrainian citizens already residing in the municipality of Loulé”, reinforces the same source.
The municipality of Portimão is preparing to mark International Women’s Day tomorrow, Tuesday, March 8th, with several initiatives that aim to celebrate all women and their achievements and alert the community to the issue of gender equality, which is once again the theme chosen this year by the United Nations for this event.
“For now, this appeal is made to all Azoreans, families, companies, institutions, who are available to receive families, to communicate with us, to make a reception to the Ukrainian people, suffering in an unjust war”, highlighted the chief executive. Azorean, at the end of an audience granted to a Ukrainian citizen, residing in Portugal, who has a business in the Azores.
The National Maritime Authority and the Navy appeal to the population to redouble care, “both when preparing to go to sea, and when they are at sea or in coastal areas”.
From March 5th onwards, Covid-19 vaccination in the Region will take place in municipal health centres (Centro de Saúde). In Funchal, Covid-19 vaccination will take place during weekends at Centro de Saúde do Bom Jesus (Bom Jesus Health Centre). In the remaining municipalities, it will take place every two weeks, on Saturdays. It should be noticed that in the Municipality of Santa Cruz, it will take place at Centro de Saúde do Caniço (Caniço Health Centre).
As for the 220 Russian tourists who had arrived in the Region on February 20th, TUI Russia (a tourism operator) had booked a flight to take them home on February 27th. However, the flight had to turn back shortly after taking off as a result of the ban on Russian aircraft in Italy, Germany, Ireland, Belgium and Luxembourg. Some passengers had even started the check-in process. The Russian tourists were then taken to different hotels. 
According to the International Organization for Civil Protection, the theme of the International Civil Protection Day of 2022 is “Civil Defence and Management of Disrupted Populations in Face of Disasters and Crises; Role of Volunteers and the Fight Against pandemics
“The project started in Portugal on 27th of February and has already mobilized thousands of people and organizations to make available and manage the platform, which is a meeting point between those who need accommodation, medicines or job offers, with those who are available to give these aids”, says the note. A “contact centre” is available in English, Portuguese and Ukrainian for telephone, e-mail, instant messaging, videoconferencing and other communication channels.
Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa highlights the “exceptional acts and services provided, in particular during the pandemic to Portugal, the Portuguese and other citizens” by the SNS and the “abnegation and sacrifice” of its health professionals.
Across the world Carnival is still very popular. The most famous of these events has become the Brazilian Carnival in Rio de Janeiro. Venetians have long celebrated carnival with a masquerade. The use of the term “carnival” in other contexts derives from this celebration.
“We have a Ukrainian community in the Azores, which, if they understand being able to welcome and receive their relatives here, will be with open arms that the Autonomous Region of the Azores will welcome Ukrainians who decide to come looking for peace in the Azores”, said the chief executive. Azorean, in statements to journalists, in Ponta Delgada, while he was meeting with the operational commander of the Azores, Lieutenant General Luís Morgado Baptista.