Situation Report Azores – 31st October 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores

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The Regional Health Authority has reported that, from 6,839 tests carried out in the two reference laboratories in the Region since the 24th of October, 20 positive cases of COVID-19 on the islands of São Miguel, Faial and Terceira have been diagnosed. All the cases have been detected at the airports during the required screening procedure or on the follow-up test carried out on all arrivals to the region on the 6th day of the stay.
A 24-year-old man was also diagnosed following contact with the Azores Health Line, and the epidemiological investigation of how he caught the infection is now underway. A 31-year-old man was diagnosed, not resident in the Region, from an air connection with the Portuguese mainland, whose SARS-CoV-2 screening test performed on arrival produced a positive result. However, and according to the practice followed in previous situations, having submitted documentation proving infection and recovery in the country of origin, it is not considered an active case in the Region. Users of a gymnasium have all been tested and the results were negative.
6 recoveries have been recorded, 2 on São Miguel 2 on Pico and 2 on Terceira.
The cases are all in a stable clinical condition and the procedures defined for the confirmed case, testing and surveillance of close contacts, as well as all those inherent to the deepening of the epidemiological investigation, have already been carried out by the Local Health Delegations. So far, 384 cases of infection by the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19 disease, have been detected in the Region, with 80 active positive cases currently, of which 64 on the island of São Miguel, nine on Terceira island, one on Graciosa island, two on Pico island, two on Faial island, one on Santa Maria island and one on Flores island.
Pandemic prevention and containment measures should be maintained and strengthened, whenever possible, by citizens and public, private and social sector organizations. The Regional Health Authority reiterates the need to comply with all recommendations already made public in this regard, especially that, in case of symptoms, do not seek a Hospital or Health Unit, but call the Azores Health Line – 808 24 60 24.
For more information, visit the website created by the Government of the Azores on pandemic control in the Region, at https://destinoseguro.azores.gov.pt/ , or the Facebook page of the Regional Health Directorate, at https: / /www.facebook.com/DirecaoSaudeAcores/ . The Government of the Azores also makes available the Azores Non-Medical Clarification Line COVID-19, with the number 800 29 29 29, which can be used between 8:30 am and 6:30 pm, on working days, and the RIAC Line 800 500 501, which works from Monday to Saturday, from 9 am to 10:30 pm, and on Sundays, from 10 am to 10:30 pm.
It is also available the email address esclarecimentocovid19@azores.gov.pt for clarification on measures taken in the region to cope with the new coronavirus pandemic.

Azores
Situation Report Azores – 24th October 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
The Regional Government is keen to point out that taking into account the data known, as of today, on the situation of the pandemic of COVID-19 in the Region, the measures determined for the continental territory, in the scope of the calamity situation, namely those related to the prohibitions of movement between municipalities or circulation in public spaces and roads, do not apply to the Autonomous Region of the Azores. The current regulations as of today, are:-
Government Council Resolution No. 275/2020 of October 23rd, 2020
Government Presidency
Summary
Extends the declaration of the situation of public calamity in the islands of Santa Maria, São Miguel, Terceira, Pico and Faial.
Government Council Resolution No. 275/2020 of October 23rd, 2020
Following the permanent monitoring of the situation of the pandemic of COVID-19 in the Autonomous Region of the Azores, as of today, there are a total of sixty-nine positive positive cases, of which forty-six on the island of São Miguel, eleven on the island Third, one on Graciosa Island, four on Pico Island, four on Faial Island, two on Santa Maria Island and one on Flores Island. Furthermore, in view of developments at national and international level, and taking into account the air connections from abroad to the islands of Santa Maria, São Miguel, Terceira, Pico and Faial, the extension of the declaration of the situation of public calamity continues to be justified on these islands, as well as the extension of the alert situation in the Graciosa, São Jorge, Flores and Corvo Islands.
Thus, under the terms of paragraphs c) of no. 2 of article 59 and b) of no. 2 of article 66 and a), b), d), e) and l) of no. article 90, all of the Political-Administrative Statute of the Autonomous Region of the Azores, of paragraph 2 of article 2 of the Basic Law of Civil Protection, of Base 34 of the Basic Law of Health, Chapters IV and V of the International Health Regulations, approved for ratification by Decree-Law no. 299/71, of 13 July, in conjunction with articles 6, 7, 11 and 12 of Regional Legislative Decree no. 26/2019 / A, of 22 November, with article 45 of Regional Legislative Decree no. 28/99 / A, of 31 July, in its current wording, and with points a), e) and f ) of no. 1 of article 4 and c), d) g) and l) of article 7, all of the Regional Regulatory Decree no. 11/2001 / A, of 10 September, in its current wording ,after hearing the Association of Municipalities of the Autonomous Region of the Azores and the Regional Delegation of the Azores of the National Association of Parishes, the Government of the Azores, in an extraordinary meeting of the Government Council held today, by videoconference, resolves:
1 – Determine, in terms of readiness and response, within the scope of the Legal Regime of the Civil Protection System of the Autonomous Region of the Azores:

  1. a) The extension of the declaration of the situation of public calamity, in the Islands of Santa Maria, São Miguel, Terceira, Pico and Faial, until midnight, on the 6th of November;
  2. b) The extension of the declaration of the alert situation, in the Graciosa, São Jorge, Flores and Corvo Islands, until midnight, on the 6th of November.

2 – To determine that, after the reopening of the national maritime space to cruise ships and yachts, coming from international ports, the normalization of the mooring of these ships should be promoted, in the ports and marinas of the Archipelago, and provided that the respective passengers test the arrival, unless the regional health authority dispenses so in view of the nonstop travel time and the absence of symptoms.
3 – To determine, for the entire Azores Archipelago, the maintenance, until 24:00 hours, on November 6, of the following measures:

  1. a) Suspension of all missions by workers of the Regional Administration, including public institutes and public companies, outside the archipelago;
  2. b) Suspension of all travel to the Archipelago by external entities requested by the Regional Administration, including public institutes and public companies, unless absolutely essential, provided they are authorized by the Regional Health Authority;
  3. c) Recommendation to other public and private entities in the Region to adopt the same procedure regarding the movement of their workers abroad in the Region.

4 – To determine that the execution of the provisions of paragraph 1 of this Resolution is coordinated, under the terms of Regional Legislative Decree No. 26/2019 / A, of 22 November, by the Regional Civil Protection and Fire Service of the Azores, even now authorized to request the collaboration of the security forces, as well as the use of human and material resources from the regional administration.
5 – The measures provided for in this Resolution may be reversed or cancelled, at any time, taking into account the evolution of the situation of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Region.
6 – Extend the provisions of Government Council Resolution No. 207/2020, of July 31, until midnight on November 6th.
7 – Under the provisions of article 6 of Regional Legislative Decree No. 26/2019 / A, of 22 November, this resolution takes effect as of 00:00 hours on 24 October.
Approved by the Regional Government Council, in Ponta Delgada, on October 22, 2020. – The President of the Regional Government, Vasco Ilídio Alves Cordeiro.

Situation Report Azores – 21st October 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
Covid-19
The Regional Health Authority has reported that, from 3892 tests carried out in the two reference laboratories in the Region since the 17th of October, 13 positive cases of COVID-19 on the islands of São Miguel have been diagnosed.
All the cases have been detected at the airports during the required screening procedure or on the follow-up test carried out on all arrivals to the region on the 6th day of the stay.
The cases are all in a stable clinical condition and the procedures defined for the confirmed case, testing and surveillance of close contacts, as well as all those inherent to the deepening of the epidemiological investigation, have already been carried out by the Local Health Delegations.
There have been 7 recoveries, 5 on the island of São Miguel, one on Terceira and one on Faial.
So far, 355 cases of infection by the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which causes COVID-19 disease, have been detected in the Region, with 65 active positive cases currently, of which 42 on the island of São Miguel, 11 on Terceira island, one on Graciosa island, four on Pico island, four on Faial island, two on Santa Maria island and one on Flores island.
Pandemic prevention and containment measures should be maintained and strengthened, whenever possible, by citizens and public, private and social sector organizations.
The Regional Health Authority reiterates the need to comply with all recommendations already made public in this regard, especially that, in case of symptoms, do not seek a Hospital or Health Unit, but call the Azores Health Line – 808 24 60 24.
For more information, visit the website created by the Government of the Azores on pandemic control in the Region, at https://destinoseguro.azores.gov.pt/ , or the Facebook page of the Regional Health Directorate, at https: //www.facebook.com/DirecaoSaudeAcores/ .
The Government of the Azores also makes available the Azores Non-Medical Clarification Line COVID-19, with the number 800 29 29 29, which can be used between 8:30 am and 6:30 pm, on working days, and the RIAC Line 800 500 501, which works from Monday to Saturday, from 9 am to 10:30 pm, and on Sundays, from 10 am to 10:30 pm.
It is also available at the internet address esclarecimentocovid19@azores.gov.pt for clarification on measures taken in the region to cope with the new coronavirus pandemic.

Situation Report Azores – 17th October 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
Communiqué from the Government of the Azores
Ponta Delgada, 15th October 2020
Following the permanent monitoring of the situation of the pandemic of COVID-19 in the Autonomous Region of the Azores, on October 14th, 2020, there are a total of 61 active positive cases, of which 33 on the island of São Miguel, 12 on the island of Terceira , three on the island of Graciosa, four on the island of Pico, five on the island of Faial, one on the island of São Jorge, two on the island of Santa Maria and one on the island of Flores.
In addition, in view of developments at national and international level and taking into account the air connections from abroad to the islands of Santa Maria, São Miguel, Terceira, Pico and Faial, the extension of the declaration of the situation of public calamity in these regions continues to be justified. islands, as well as the extension of the alert situation in the Graciosa, São Jorge, Flores and Coro islands, decisions that should be re-evaluated in a shorter time frame, taking into account the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In view of this situation, the Government of the Azores, in an extraordinary meeting of the Government Council held on October 14, by videoconference, decided:
1 – Determine, in terms of readiness and response, within the scope of the Legal Regime of the Civil Protection System of the Autonomous Region of the Azores:

  1. a) The extension of the declaration of the situation of public calamity on the islands of Santa Maria, São Miguel, Terceira, Pico and Faial until midnight on October 23rd, taking into account the epidemiological situation that is taking place at national and International.
  2. b) The extension of the declaration of the alert situation in the islands of Graciosa, São Jorge, Flores and Corvo until midnight on October 23rd, taking into account the epidemiological situation that is taking place at national and international level.

2- To determine that, after the reopening of the national maritime space to cruise ships and yachts coming from international ports, the normalization of the docking of these ships in the ports and marinas of the archipelago should be promoted, and provided that the respective passengers are tested on arrival, unless the Regional Health Authority dispenses so in view of the non-stop travel time and the absence of symptoms.
The measures provided for in this Resolution can be reversed or canceled at any time, taking into account the evolution of the situation of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Region.
The Government of the Azores reiterates the need to comply with the guidelines regarding the use of a mask, physical distance and respiratory etiquette.
Vouchers
The Government of the Azores, through the Regional Secretariat for Energy, Environment and Tourism has created a new initiative, “Voucher Destino Açores Seguro”, the platform can be accessed here https://voucher.azores.gov.pt where information about this financial incentive for the taking of screening tests for SARS-CoV-2 prior to shipment to the Azores, usable exclusively for the acquisition of goods or services in the Region, in activities of the tourism sector.
An order was published today in the Official Journal setting out the conditions and the period for the companies to subscribe to the Network of Members, the conditions for the reimbursement for the acquisition of technological equipment, as well as the concession period and procedure for using this measure.With regard to the Network of Members, as of today, establishments with headquarters or with a permanent establishment in the Region, and that operate within the tourism sector, according to the published list of CAE, can make their membership by filling in an electronic form on the portal.
Regarding the entry into force of the Voucher, it will be awarded to passengers who complete the Risk Assessment and Early Detection Questionnaire on the My Safe Azores tool at https://mysafeazores.com , starting on October 21st, when they present a negative screening test for SARS-CoV-2 on entry into the Region. The “Destination Insurance Azores Voucher”, with a global investment amount of 1.2 million euros, is a financial incentive of 35 euros, valid for two months and usable, exclusively, in the purchase of goods or services in the Region, in establishments of the Network of Members that develop their activity within the scope of the tourism sector.
Tourism
According to data from the Regional Statistics Service of the Azores, in the month of August, overnight stays in the region in all the types of tourist accommodation: hotel establishments, rural tourism and local accommodation recorded a year-on-year decrease of 68.7 %. From January to August 2020, overnight stays registered a negative year-on-year change of 74.4%.
In August, hotel establishments recorded 79.2 thousand overnight stays, representing a year-on-year decrease of 70.4%.
Overnight stays by residents in Portugal decreased by 39.5% and overnight stays by residents abroad decreased by 87.5%. The monthly rate of change (relative to July) changed by 120.3%. Total income reached 4.6 million euros and room income 3.5 million euros, corresponding to negative year-on-year changes of 72.3% and 73.5%.
Covid-19
The Regional Health Authority has reported that, from 3918 tests carried out in the two reference laboratories in the Region since the 13th of October, 10 positive cases of COVID-19 on the islands of São Miguel and Terceira have been diagnosed. Some of the cases have been detected at the airports during the required screening procedure or on the follow-up test carried out on all arrivals to the region on the 6th day of the stay, others have been detected as a result of close contact with a previously diagnosed case.
The cases are all in a stable clinical condition and the procedures defined for the confirmed case, testing and surveillance of close contacts, as well as all those inherent to the deepening of the epidemiological investigation, have already been carried out by the Local Health Delegations.
6 recoveries have been recorded on the island of São Miguel, Terceira and São Jorge.
So far, 342 cases of infection by the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which causes COVID-19 disease, have been detected in the Region, and there are currently 63 active positive cases, of which 36 on the island of São Miguel, 12 on Terceira island, three on Graciosa island, four on Pico island, five on Faial island, two on Santa Maria island and one on Flores island. Pandemic prevention and containment measures should be maintained and strengthened, whenever possible, by citizens and public, private and social sector organizations.
The Regional Health Authority reiterates the need to comply with all recommendations already made public in this regard, especially that, in case of symptoms, do not seek a Hospital or Health Unit, but call the Azores Health Line – 808 24 60 24.
For more information, visit the website created by the Government of the Azores on pandemic control in the Region, at https://destinoseguro.azores.gov.pt/ , or the Facebook page of the Regional Health Directorate, at https: / /www.facebook.com/DirecaoSaudeAcores/
Situation Report Azores – 14th October 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
The City Council of Ponta Delgada has joined up with the Portuguese League Against Cancer, Regional Centre of the Azores, marking the International Breast Cancer Prevention Month and are lighting the city’s arcades in pink until the last day of October.
“Outubro Rosa” is the name of the international campaign to raise public awareness of the problem of breast cancer. A movement that emerged in the United States, after the American Congress determined October as the month of prevention of Breast Cancer.
One of the characteristics of “Outubro Rosa” is the lighting of important monuments of the cities with the pink colour to support the cause.
In Ponta Delgada, the Arcades of the historic centre will be lit up until October 31st.
Covid-19
The Regional Health Authority has reported that, from 4948 tests carried out in the two reference laboratories in the Region since the 10th of October, eight positive cases of Covid-19 on the islands of São Miguel have been diagnosed.
All the cases have been detected at the airports during the required screening procedure or on the follow-up test carried out on all arrivals to the region on the 6th day of the stay.
The cases are all in a stable clinical condition and the procedures defined for the confirmed case, testing and surveillance of close contacts, as well as all those inherent to the deepening of the epidemiological investigation, have already been carried out by the Local Health Delegations.
Eight recoveries have been recorded on the island of São Miguel and one on the island of Pico.
So far, 332 cases of infection by the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which causes Covid-19 disease, have been detected in the Region, with 61 active positive cases currently, of which 33 on the island of São Miguel, 12 on Terceira island, three on Graciosa island, four on Pico island, five on Faial island, one on São Jorge island, two on Santa Maria island and one on Flores island.
Pandemic prevention and containment measures should be maintained and strengthened, whenever possible, by citizens and public, private and social sector organizations.
The Regional Health Authority reiterates the need to comply with all recommendations already made public in this regard, especially that, in case of symptoms, do not seek a Hospital or Health Unit, but call the Azores Health Line – 808 24 60 24.
For more information, visit the website created by the Government of the Azores on pandemic control in the Region, at https://destinoseguro.azores.gov.pt/ , or the Facebook page of the Regional Health Directorate, at https: / /www.facebook.com/DirecaoSaudeAcores/

Situation Report Azores – 10th October 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
The Azores are once again included in the list of Green Destinations top 100 Sustainable Destinations, according to the regional secretary for Energy, Environment and Tourism.
“It is recognitions like this that make us continue with this path towards sustainability with strength and enthusiasm,” said Marta Guerreiro. “I cannot fail to show pride and satisfaction for receiving, once again, this recognition, which places the Azores at a high level with regard to sustainability issues, which we strive for and are recognized for”.
Since last year, the Azores have been certified as a Sustainable Tourist Destination, being the only archipelago in the world and the only region in the country with this distinction”. “EarthCheck is a certifier that is governed by strict criteria of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, that is, with the United Nations seal, which attests to the quality of its action and our certification as a Sustainable Tourist Destination”.
Covid-19
The Regional Health Authority has reported that, from 3881 tests carried out in the two reference laboratories in the Region since the 6th of October, nine positive cases of COVID-19 on the islands of São Miguel, Terceira, Pico and Faial, have been diagnosed.
All the cases have been detected at the airports during the required screening procedure or on the follow-up test carried out on all arrivals to the region on the 6th day of the stay. The cases are all in a stable clinical condition and the procedures defined for the confirmed case, testing and surveillance of close contacts, as well as all those inherent to the deepening of the epidemiological investigation, have already been carried out by the Local Health Delegations.
Three people with covid-19 have returned to the continent by air. There have been four recoveries, three on São Miguel and one on Terceira.
So far, 324 cases of infection by the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19 disease, have been detected in the Region, with 203 recovered cases and 66 active positive cases currently, of which 33 on the island of São Miguel, 12 on Terceira island, five on Graciosa island, six on Pico island, six on Faial island, one on São Jorge island, two on Santa Maria island and one on Flores island.
Situation Report Azores – 7th October 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
The Regional Health Authority has reported that, from 4481 tests carried out in the two reference laboratories in the Region since the 2nd of October, eight positive cases of COVID-19 on the islands of São Miguel, Terceira, Graciosa and Faial, have been diagnosed.
Some of the cases have been detected at the airports during the required screening procedure or on the follow-up test carried out on all arrivals to the region on the 6th day of the stay. Others are from chains of transmission already existing in the region.
The cases are all in a stable clinical condition and the procedures defined for the confirmed case, testing and surveillance of close contacts, as well as all those inherent to the deepening of the epidemiological investigation, have already been carried out by the Local Health Delegations.
There have been nine recoveries recorded, seven on the island of São Miguel and two on Terceira, bringing to 198 the number of recovered cases of COVID-19 in the Region.
So far, 315 cases of infection by the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which causes COVID-19 disease, have been detected in the Region, with 66 active positive cases currently, of which 37 on the island of São Miguel, 11 on Terceira island, five on Graciosa island, five on Pico island, four on Faial island, one on São Jorge island, two on Santa Maria island and one on Flores island.
Pandemic prevention and containment measures should be maintained and strengthened, whenever possible, by citizens and public, private and social sector organizations.
The Regional Health Authority reiterates the need to comply with all recommendations already made public in this regard, especially that, in case of symptoms, do not seek a Hospital or Health Unit, but call the Azores Health Line – 808 24 60 24.
For more information, visit the website created by the Government of the Azores on pandemic control in the Region, at https://destinoseguro.azores.gov.pt/ , or the Facebook page of the Regional Health Directorate, at https: / /www.facebook.com/DirecaoSaudeAcores/ .

Situation Report Azores – 3rd October 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
The Government of the Azores has extended the ‘Living the Azores’ campaign until March 31st, 2021, this incentive now includes holidays on the island of residence, according to a Council Resolution Government published recently in the Official Journal, which comes into force on 1st of October. São Miguel and Terceira were not found to be benefitting from the incentive as much as the smaller islands.
This variation requires the purchase of accommodation, food, tourist activities. The allowance is fixed at 50% of the amount paid, up to a maximum limit of 75 euros per person. Mandatory minimum requirements for granting the incentive under this campaign are the purchase of two nights in a tourist resort, local accommodation or youth hostel on the island, the purchase of two meals in restaurants, per person, worth at least 15 euros each, and the purchase of a tourist activity, per person, worth at least 30 euros.
Travel Exemptions
Scotland will no longer oblige people arriving from the Azores and Madeira archipelagos to comply with a 14-day quarantine, but maintains the measure on mainland Portugal, the authorities announced.
The measure applies from 04:00 on Saturday 3rd of October, this aligns Scotland with the other nations of the United Kingdom, namely England, Wales and Northern Ireland, which had already differentiated the Portuguese islands from the rest of the country in terms travel restrictions.
Wales was the first British region to differentiate Madeira and the Azores, where the number of infections has been reduced, from Mainland Portugal, where there has been an increase in cases.
The British government followed suit on 12th of September, claiming that the more detailed information made it possible to assess islands separately from mainland territories and started to institute “regional travel corridors”. One of the main criteria for exclusion from the list of safe destinations is when the country registers an additional 20 cases per 100 thousand inhabitants over the course of a week.
The update of the list of countries and territories with ‘travel corridors’ for the United Kingdom, that is, exempt from having to quarantine on arrival, made this week, leaves the British only six destinations without travel restrictions. Madeira and the Azores, require negative tests on arrival or a period of confinement while waiting for test results.
Entry requirements can be found here. https://covid19.azores.gov.pt/?page_id=5532
Covid-19 cases
The Regional Health Authority has reported that, from 3165 tests carried out in the two reference laboratories in the Region since the 30th of September, five positive cases of COVID-19 on the islands of São Miguel, Terceira, Santa Maria and São Jorge, have been diagnosed.
All the cases have been detected at the airports during the required screening procedure or on the follow-up test carried out on all arrivals to the region on the 6th day of the stay.
The cases are all in a stable clinical condition and the procedures defined for the confirmed case, testing and surveillance of close contacts, as well as all those inherent to the deepening of the epidemiological investigation, have already been carried out by the Local Health Delegations.
Three recoveries were recorded on the island of São Miguel and one on Terceira, bringing to 185 the number of recovered cases of COVID-19 in the Region.
So far, 307 cases of infection by the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which causes COVID-19 disease, have been detected in the Region, with 73 active positive cases currently, of which 46 on the island of São Miguel, 12 on Terceira island, four on Graciosa island, five on Pico island, three on Faial island, one on São Jorge island and two on Santa Maria island.
Pandemic prevention and containment measures should be maintained and strengthened, whenever possible, by citizens and public, private and social sector organizations.
The Regional Health Authority reiterates the need to comply with all recommendations already made public in this regard, especially that, in case of symptoms, do not seek a Hospital or Health Unit, but call the Azores Health Line – 808 24 60 24. For more information, visit the website created by the Government of the Azores on pandemic control in the Region,

Situation Report Azores – 29th September 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
The Regional Health Authority has reported that, from 4100 tests carried out in the two reference laboratories in the Region since the 25th of September, twelve positive cases of COVID-19 on the islands of São Miguel, Terceira and Faial, have been diagnosed.
All the cases have been detected at the airports during the required screening procedure or on the follow-up test carried out on all arrivals to the region on the 6th day of the stay.
All the cases arrived in the region by air from continental Portugal.
The cases are all in a stable clinical condition and the procedures defined for the confirmed case, testing and surveillance of close contacts, as well as all those inherent to the deepening of the epidemiological investigation, have already been carried out by the Local Health Delegations.
Three recoveries were recorded on the island of São Miguel, bringing to 181 the number of recovered cases of COVID-19 in the Region.
So far, 302 cases of infection with the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19 disease, have been detected in the Region, with 73 active positive cases currently, of which 49 on the island of São Miguel, 11 on Terceira island, five on Pico island, four on Graciosa island, three on Faial island and one on Santa Maria island.
Pandemic prevention and containment measures should be maintained and strengthened, whenever possible, by citizens and public, private and social sector organizations.
The Regional Health Authority reiterates the need to comply with all recommendations already made public in this regard, especially that, in case of symptoms, do not seek a Hospital or Health Unit, but call the Azores Health Line – 808 24 60 24.
For more information, visit the website created by the Government of the Azores on pandemic control in the Region, at https://destinoseguro.azores.gov.pt/ , or the Facebook page of the Regional Health Directorate, at https: / /www.facebook.com/DirecaoSaudeAcores/ .
Situation Report Azores – 25th September 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
The Government of the Azores, through the Vice-Presidency has decided to extend the deadline for submitting applications, until the end of this year, for Azorean companies to continue to access financial support for the purchase of protective equipment and the adaptation of establishments. This will allow companies to comply with Health Department recommendations
According to a Government Council Resolution published today in the Official Journal, December 31st will become the deadline for submitting applications for the Support Program for the Adaptation of Companies in the context of COVID-19, and its presentation must be made through an electronic form available on the website of the Regional Directorate for Support to Investment and Competitiveness (DRAIC) on the Internet.
Under this exceptional program, Azorean companies can access additional support that includes the ‘non-refundable’ contribution of 85% towards the purchase of personal protection and hygiene equipment up to 5,000 euros. This must satisfy compliance of the conditions indicated by the Regional Health Authority, aimed at micro and small companies and cooperatives.
This extraordinary measure allows one application per company, making it possible, in the case of an entrepreneur who operates several establishments, that the maximum amount of eligible investment is 15 thousand euros. Expenses can include funds for the installation of protective barriers, among other moderating and physical distance equipment, the reorganization and adaptation of workplaces, as well as the purchase of devices, personal protective equipment, including masks, gloves, visors, among others, are eligible.
The Government of the Azores also decided to extend until December 30th the deadline for submitting applications for projects to adapt facilities of amounts between 5,000 and 40,000 euros, with a maximum execution period of six months, which may under exceptional circumstances, up to 120 thousand euros for companies that own several establishments, within the scope of the Subsystem of Incentives for Local Development, of the Incentive System Competir +.
The Regional Government will grant a non-refundable incentive of 70% of the eligible expenses related to layout alteration works, to the acquisition of machinery and equipment that are necessary to comply with new working methods, for the acquisition and installation of hygiene equipment, among others things, aiming at adapting facilities to established standards.
These projects should have an impact on the modernization and optimization of the physical structures of premises, the introduction of innovative equipment or on the creation or maintenance of jobs, but without neglecting compliance with the guidelines defined by the regional authorities for the reopening of establishments and resumption of activity. The Government of the Azores, in just three months, has already received around 300 applications from small and medium-sized companies for support for the purchase of protective equipment and adaptation of establishments in the context of COVID-19.
New Cases
Since the 22nd of September and after 3,587 tests for COVID-19 in the two reference laboratories there have been 13 new cases and one recovery. There are currently 5 transmission chains active in the region.
A total 290 cases of infection by the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which causes COVID-19 disease, have been detected in the Region, with 66 active positive cases currently, of which 45 on the island of São Miguel, 10 on the island of Terceira, six on the island of Pico, four on the island Graciosa and one on the island of Santa Maria.

Situation Report Azores – 22nd September 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
Press release from the President of the Regional Government of the Azores
“The Government Council, meeting in Ponta Delgada, this Monday, analysed the situation of the Covid-19 pandemic in the Azores, as well as the set of measures that in this regard have already been implemented in the Region, from the perspective of those directed at the screening and containment of positive cases, whether from the perspective of support aimed at companies and workers, within the scope of its economic and social effects.
Over these six months, the Government of the Azores has implemented 98 measures to support the maintenance of employment, the disposable income of families and to encourage the economy and the maintenance of the productive capacity of companies, to minimize the social and economic effects of the pandemic of Covid-19.
The combined effect of these measures has allowed the Azores to be the only Region in the country that has managed to maintain the level of employment in the last six months, without registering an increase in unemployment.
In practice, the measures taken have ensured that Azorean companies have significantly higher support than other companies in the country, and non-repayable financial incentives, which substantially contribute to personnel expenses, provided that they maintain all jobs.
To help the resumption of economic activity, new supports were created, innovative in the national context, which reinforced the non-refundable support for the maintenance of employment and created new support for the training of workers, in the period of less activity, increasing the conditions for companies to continue to maintain all their jobs.
In terms of the protection of public health, the system of screening and surveillance in force in the Azores has proved to be absolutely essential for the detection of positive cases, whether tests carried out prior to departure, destined for the Azores, from zones considered to be of active community transmission or with active transmission chains, either from the tests carried out on arrival, or, and very significantly, in tests carried out on the 6th day.
Covid-19 Situation
As of today, September 22, the Region presents the following epidemiological situation:
Since March 16th, a total of 277 cases of infection with the new coronavirus have been detected, with 16 deaths.
Currently there are 55 active positive cases, of which 43 on the island of São Miguel, eight on the island of Terceira, three on the island of Pico and one on the island Graciosa.
With the cases diagnosed and after an epidemiological investigation carried out so far, five chains of local transmission are identified on the island of São Miguel.
Since March, there have been 175 recoveries and there is no hospitalization in the Region by Covid-19 since May 24th, that is, more than 120 days.
In addition, within the scope of the system for screening passengers from abroad, 73 positive cases were detected in the screening tests carried out in the network of laboratories agreed outside the Region, as well as 71 positive cases detected in the tests carried out at airports on arrival in the Azores. .
It should also be noted that the tests carried out on the 6th day after the first test, a procedure that, nationwide, is only carried out in the Azores, has detected 40 positive cases of infection with the new coronavirus.
This data shows us that, until now, the system of testing and detecting positive cases has fulfilled its function, contributing, to the creation of safe conditions for the Azoreans in the gradual process of returning to normality.
Regional Health Service
As part of the preparation for the response to the Covid-19 pandemic, work has been carried out to strengthen the capacity of the Regional Health Service, which currently has:
– 82 ventilators, which represents an increase of 54% in the number of these devices in relation to March, when the current pandemic situation started.
– 26 rooms of negative pressure distributed by the hospitals of Ponta Delgada, Angra do Heroísmo and Horta, twice the number that existed before the pandemic.
– a processing capacity of around 1,800 tests per day in the two public laboratories operating in the Region, there have been days when this capacity has gone beyond that, when, in March, the installed capacity in the Region was around 250 daily tests , an increase of about 620 percent.
In addition to this current capacity, there are about 207 sample collection points spread across the continent and Madeira.
In total, since March, more than 170 thousand PCR tests have been carried out, about 134 thousand of which in the two public laboratories in the Region and about 36 thousand tests in the network of laboratories agreed outside the Region.
The average stock of personal protection equipment in most health units in the Region is 300 days, and in some cases, additional acquisitions of some types of this material have been ordered.
Despite the fact that the Region is better prepared, as a result of the work carried out over the past months and involving several entities, the situation of the pandemic at the international and national level, which is compounded by the arrival of autumn / winter, will impose additional precautions, as we take the necessary measures to continue the balance between safety and confidence in the resumption of social and economic life in the Region.
Government Council – reinforcement of measures
In this sense, the Government Council, in the scope of reinforcing the measures of screening, detection and containment of eventual positive cases, decided:
1 – Proceed with the acquisition of 100 thousand rapid tests, which will allow to reinforce the capacity to screen for possible positive cases of Covid-19 in schools and nursing homes in the Region.
These rapid tests, approved by INFARMED, are a complement to the PCR tests, will be another screening tool, allowing, in less than half an hour and in a decentralized way, the testing of suspected cases of infection, the confirmation of cases of active infection and the tracking of contacts, with the adoption of the respective procedures.
Its use will be for situations where it is necessary to assess, quickly, any contagions, along-side the tests for PCR.
2 Starting tomorrow, September 23, the annual flu vaccination campaign, starting with the Residential Structures for the Elderly and Integrated Continuing Care Units, covering users and employees, followed by health professionals and the rest of the population benefiting from free vaccination.
3 – Create a reception centre in the Palace of Santa Catarina, in Angra do Heroísmo, with a capacity of up to 62 beds, for patients admitted to a hospital unit or sheltered in residential structures for the elderly and / or other situations that may be justified. In order to increase the number of rooms and beds available, similar to the space already created for the same purpose in São Miguel.
4 – Reinforce the screening for SARS-CoV-2 for employees of Residential Structures for the Elderly, Residential Homes for People with Disabilities, Integrated Continuous Care Units, Health Homes and Home Support Service, on the island of São Miguel, passing from a monthly to biweekly.
5 – Establish the frequency of testing for the SARS-CoV-2 virus to health professionals who provide services in the structures of the Regional Health Service of the island of São Miguel, every 15 days, instead of monthly, as currently takes place;
6 – Create two teams of professionals, namely in the area of nursing and support for the elderly, who will be in a state of readiness in order to supply, immediately, a possible shortage of human resources resulting from an outbreak scenario that may occur in residential structures.
One of the teams will be based on the island of São Miguel and the other on the island of Terceira.
7 – To recommend to Private Institutions of Social Solidarity and ‘homes’ with residential reception and home support service, on the island of São Miguel, the adoption of a methodology for organizing working hours in “mirror”, in order to guarantee the existence of an available team, in case of contagion by Covid-19 of the working team.
In this regard, a new financial instrument aimed at these institutions will be created, to compensate for the possible increase in personnel costs resulting from the adoption of this measure.
8 – Reinforce support for IPSS and ‘Homes’ that manage social responses, through the constitution of mixed Health and Social Solidarity teams to verify the specific operating conditions of these structures with a view to preventing and controlling infection by Covid-19.
9 – Provide guidance to public schools in the Autonomous Region of the Azores for the adoption of the rule of only having the physical presence of teaching and non-teaching staff, who eventually returned from traveling outside the Region, after obtaining two negative tests of screen for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, including the test performed on the 6th day;
10 – Create a financial incentive to conduct screening tests for SARS-CoV-2 prior to shipment to the Region from areas considered by the World Health Organization to be areas of active community transmission or with active local transmission chains, usable exclusively in purchases of goods or services in the Region, also serving the purpose of stimulating local economic activity;
11 – Recommend the use of a mask in open public spaces with a large concentration of people, that is, in places with greater difficulty in guaranteeing the recommended physical distance.
This recommendation will soon be subject to the respective guidance of the Regional Health Authority.
This recommendation is especially relevant for cases in which the result of the screening test carried out on the 6th day is awaited, and those who are in these circumstances must also pay special attention to compliance with other public health protection measures.
In addition to these, and within the scope of measures to support various activities affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, the Governing Council also decided to:

Situation Report Azores – 18th September 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
The Regional Secretary for Energy, Environment and Tourism revealed today that the WTO – World Tourism Organization has highlighted the work of the Region under the ‘Clean & Safe Azores’ seal.
The ‘World Tourism Organization’ has said that “The Azores, as the world’s first archipelago certified as a sustainable destination by ‘EarthCheck’ / GSTC, consider this initiative essential for companies and tour operators to implement safe work measures and for that, through concerted action, the promotion and reinforcement of destination security”.
Marta Guerreiro expressed “great satisfaction” for this distinction, which she considered to be “another recognition of the successful work that the Government of the Azores has carried out with regard to the creation and implementation of health security measures in the tourism sector”.
The ‘Clean & Safe Açores’ initiative aims to recognize tourism entities that comply with the recommendations of the Regional Health Authority, after working in partnership with regional entities representing the sector.
IPDT – Tourism and Consulting, is the entity responsible for the design, organization and execution of training sessions.
The Government of the Azores scheduled multiple free training sessions, divided by thematic areas, according to the modules of the Manual of Good Practices, which can be consulted at https://clean-safe.azores.gov.pt/ .
The objective is to prepare for the return of tourism in the Azores by improving the provision of tourist services, from the health point of view, reinforcing the trust of customers and visitors. The training also aims to raise awareness among tourist organizations about cleaning, hygiene and basic measures for the prevention and control of COVID-19 infection and to provide information to participants to help them adapt these procedures for their businesses.
Covid-19 update
The Regional Health Authority has reported that, from 3197 tests carried out in the two reference laboratories in the Region since the 15th of September, only two positive cases of COVID-19 on the island of São Miguel, have been diagnosed.
Both cases were detected at the airport during the required screening procedure or on the follow-up test carried out on all arrivals to the region on the 6th day of the stay. They arrived from Europe and Portugal. There have been six recoveries in the region.
So far, 259 cases of infection by the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which causes COVID-19 disease, have been detected in the Region, with 42 active positive cases currently, of which 33 on the island of São Miguel, six on Terceira Island, two on Pico Island and one on Graciosa Island.

Situation Report Azores 15th September – 16th September 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
Travellers wishing to disembark in the Azores have, from now on, the web tool ‘My Safe Azores’, which makes the health control process on entering the archipelago easier and faster.
It is available here, at https://mysafeazores.com /. It allows passengers to carry out, in a single interaction and in advance, all the steps that the traveller must follow upon arrival in the Region.
Through this tool, passengers can schedule their SARS-CoV-2 test by the RT-PCR method within 72 hours before departure, in laboratories agreed with the Region in mainland Portugal and in the Autonomous Region of Madeira, fill in and send in advance the Risk Assessment and Early Detection Questionnaire and also attach the negative result to your individual process.
When passengers complete the Risk Assessment and Early Detection Questionnaire, they receive a code generated by the application, which can be presented at the airport, making the circulation process easier and faster.
Passengers arriving in the Region with a screening test and a negative result attached to the platform, previously validated by the Health Delegation, can present the code and leave the airport.
For passengers taking the screening test on arrival, the process is also faster, as their data is automatically integrated.
Ponta Delgada Airport will now have new arrivals systems for disembarking passengers.
This is an action of the Government of the Azores, through the regional secretariats of Health, Transport and Tourism, in partnership with ANA – Airports.
There are now three clearly marked zones both airside and landside:
• Inter-islands – yellow zone.
• Passenger disembarking from the outside without a test – blue zone, with three infrastructures equipped with six air-conditioned offices, which guarantee comfort, privacy and security to its users, whether health teams or passengers, where tests will be carried out for SARS-CoV-2, as well as additional infrastructure for logistical support;
• Passenger disembarking from abroad who have test – green area, with six open infrastructures for reception and speedy treatment of passenger processing.
With this separated flow management, the intention is to avoid congestion and crossing between inter-island passengers and those disembarked from abroad, as well as those who have tested against those who have not yet done so.
All the infrastructures created are numbered to facilitate the movement and guidance of passengers and have specific areas for priority situations.
This is one of the measures that allows for greater efficiency in the service provided, receiving passengers with a welcome message.
In this context, the support of the employees of the Regional Directorate for Tourism is highlighted in guiding passengers throughout the process, in addition to the usual reception and welcome to our visitors.
Communique from the Regional Government.
The Government of the Azores, in an extraordinary meeting of the Government Council held on September 14, by videoconference, decided:

  1. Determine, in terms of readiness and response, within the scope of the Legal Regime of the Civil Protection System of the Autonomous Region of the Azores:

a) The extension of the declaration of the situation of public calamity on the islands of Santa Maria, São Miguel, Terceira, Pico and Faial until midnight on 1st of October.
b) The extension of the declaration of the alert situation in the islands of Graciosa, São Jorge, Flores and Corvo until midnight on 1 October.
2. To determine that, after the reopening of the national maritime space to cruise ships and yachts from international ports, the normalization of the docking of these ships in the ports and marinas of the archipelago should be promoted, and provided that the respective passengers are tested on arrival, unless the Regional Health Authority dismisses it, taking into account the non-stop travel time and the absence of symptoms.
The measures provided for in this Resolution can be reversed or cancelled at any time, taking into account the evolution of the situation of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Region.
The Regional Health Authority has reported that, from 3840 tests carried out in the two reference laboratories in the Region since the 12th of September, five positive cases of COVID-19 on the island of São Miguel, Terceira and Pico, have been diagnosed.
All the cases have been detected at the airports during the required screening procedure or on the follow-up test carried out on all arrivals to the region on the 6th day of the stay. They arrived from North America, Europe and Portugal.
There have been two recoveries in the region.
So far, 257 cases of infection by the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19 disease, have been detected in the Region, with 46 active positive cases currently, of which 35 on the island of São Miguel, eight on Terceira Island, two on Pico Island and one on Graciosa Island.

Situation Report Azores 11th September – 12th September 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
It has been reported today that the region has been promised almost two times the amount of community funds, compared to the last cycle of assistance for the Azores. The money is awarded as a part of the European Cohesion Policy and the European Recovery Plan. The amount being given for the next cycle is 2,394.9 to be used between 2021 and 2027.
The Regional Health Authority has reported that, from 4201 tests carried out in the two reference laboratories in the Region since the 9th of September, eight positive cases of COVID-19 on the island of São Miguel and Graciosa, have been diagnosed.
All the cases have been detected at the airports during the required screening procedure or on the follow-up test carried out on all arrivals to the region on the 6th day of the stay. They arrived from North America, Europe and Portugal.
There has been one recovery in the region.
So far, 252 cases of infection with the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19 disease, have been detected in the Region, with 44 currently active positive cases, of which 36 on the island of São Miguel, six on Terceira Island, one on Pico Island and one on Graciosa Island.

Situation Report Azores 8th September – 9th September 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
The Regional Secretary of Health said today at the Legislative Assembly, in Horta, that the screening tests carried out on the Continent and in the Autonomous Region of Madeira have prevented 53 positive passengers travelling to the Azores.
Teresa Machado Luciano, who was speaking at a debate on the Regional Health Service, said that testing has been the cornerstone of the region’s strategy for prevention and containment of COVID-19, with more than 115 thousand tests having been carried out in the laboratories of the region and 30 thousand tests authorised at private laboratories.
Our ratio stands at 600 tests per thousand residents, almost twice the Autonomous Region of Madeira and close to three times that of mainland Portugal.
She also said that, despite intense demand in global markets, the acquisition and maintenance of reserves of personal protective equipment was guaranteed, to safeguard professionals and users for at least eight months.
“We are better prepared, not only technically, but also in medical equipment, individual protection and facilities”. There are 80 ventilators and 26 rooms of negative pressure in the Region, 13 of which are at Hospital in Terceira, 10 at the Hospital do Divino Espírito Santo, Ponta Delgada, and three at the Hospital da Horta.
The Regional Secretariat is working, together with the Directorate-General for Health, to increase coverage for the vaccinations against influenza, as the flu season is nearly here.
The Regional Health Authority has reported that, from 4772 tests carried out in the two reference laboratories in the Region since the 5th of September, 16 positive cases of COVID-19 on the island of São Miguel and Terceira, have been diagnosed.
All the cases have been detected at the airports during the required screening procedure or on the follow-up test carried out on all arrivals to the region on the 6th day of the stay. They arrived from North America, Europe and Portugal.
There have been three cases of recovery in the region.
So far, 244 cases of infection by the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19, have been detected in the Region, with 39 active positive cases currently, of which 32 on the island of São Miguel, six on Terceira Island and one on Pico Island.
https://destinoseguro.azores.gov.pt/

Situation Report Azores 4th September – 5th September 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
The Vice-President of the Government has announced that the Azorean Executive has approved 706 applications for the Employment Maintenance Program, this is aimed at ensuring that Azorean companies that have benefitted from national credit lines have additional support to repay these loans, substantially reducing charges and reinforcing liquidity.
“Under this measure made available by the Regional Government, which covers all sectors of activity in the regional economy and almost all Azorean companies, 706 applications have already been approved, which contributes to ensuring the maintenance of 8,567 jobs,” said Sérgio Ávila.
The ‘Employment Maintenance Programme’, injects much needed money into the Azorean economy.
The Regional Health Authority has reported that, from 4226 tests carried out in the two reference laboratories in the Region since the 2ndof September, four positive cases of COVID-19 on the island of São Miguel, Terceira and Graciosa, have been diagnosed.
All the cases have been detected at the airports during the required screening procedure or on the follow-up test carried out on all arrivals to the region on the 6th day of the stay. They arrived from North America, Europe and Portugal.
The positive case diagnosed on the island of Graciosa, is a man who is, 31 years old, he had already been diagnosed with COVID-19 during his stay on the continent, and was said to be recovered by his local health authorities, he currently has remnants of the virus and, therefore, not contagious.
228 cases of infection by the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19 disease, have been detected in the Region, and there are currently 29 active positive cases, 25 on the island of São Miguel, three on Terceira island and one on Pico island.

Azores
Situation Report Azores 1st September – 2nd September 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
The Government of the Azores will extend the situation of ‘Public Calamity’ on the islands of Santa Maria, São Miguel, Terceira, Pico and Faial, as well as extend the ‘alert’ situation on the islands Graciosa, São Jorge, Flores and Corvo, until September 15th.
The decision was taken at an extraordinary meeting of the Government Council held on August 31st, 2020, by videoconference and is due to the fact that in the Azores, as of August 31st, there were a total of 29 positive cases active on the islands of São Miguel, Terceira and Pico.
A ‘Safety at Home’ booklet written in conjunction with the Regional Government and Proteção Civil E Bombeiros Açores (srpcba) has been delivered to households in the region, it can be downloaded here: https://www.prociv.azores.gov.pt/fotos/documentos/1594742736.pdf
The Regional Health Authority has reported that, from 4748 tests carried out in the two reference laboratories in the Region since the 29th of August, seven positive cases of COVID-19 on the island of São Miguel have been diagnosed.
All the cases have been detected at the airports during the required screening procedure or on the follow-up test carried out on all arrivals to the region on the 6th day of the stay. They arrived from North America, Europe and Portugal. Two positive cases have flown home despite the risk to others on the flight.
So far, 217 cases of infection by the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which causes COVID-19 disease, have been detected in the Region, and there are currently 27 active positive cases, of which 24 are on the island of São Miguel, two on Terceira Island and one on Pico Island.

Situation Report Azores 28th August – 29th August 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
The Government of the Azores announced on Thursday 27th Aug. new measures to support companies in tourism sector which have been severely affected by the pandemic, this will include help to support the ‘on-going’ operational costs of companies. One of the announced supports is the creation of a programme to support the operating costs of companies of up to 75% non-refundable support. This will be awarded for eligible expenses, for example, water and energy, rents and rentals, communications, insurance, surveillance and security.
“The maximum amount per company will be 100 thousand euros and, in the case of a group of companies, the maximum amount is fixed at half a million euros”, announced Vasco Cordeiro, adding that 10 million euros are planned to finance this program. The time frame for this initiative is July 1st, 2020 and March 31st, 2021.
The Regional Health Authority has reported that, from 3994 tests carried out in the two reference laboratories in the Region since the 25th of August, eight positive cases of COVID-19 on the island of São Miguel and Terceira have been diagnosed. There have also been three recoveries. All the cases have been detected at the airports during the required screening procedure or on the follow-up test carried out on all arrivals to the region on the 6th day of the stay.
So far, 217 cases of infection by the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which causes COVID-19 disease, have been detected in the Region, and there are currently 27 active positive cases, of which 24 are on the island of São Miguel, two on Terceira Island and one on Pico Island.

Situation Report Azores 25th August – 26th August 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
The Regional Command of the PSP has said that over the last few days 3 men have been arrested for Domestic Violence. On August 23rd, a 43-year-old man was arrested for the alleged crime of domestic violence in Angra do Heroísmo, on Terceira island. On the same day, a 43-year-old man was arrested for the same offence at the police station in the municipality of Ribeira Grande. At Lagoa police station, São Miguel, a 61-year-old man was also arrested for the crime of domestic violence.
On August 21st, at the criminal investigation station, a 41-year-old man, accused of domestic violence, was kept in preventive detention after being interviewed.
According to the Annual Internal Security Report (RASI), in 2019, the Azores recorded the highest incidence rate of domestic violence per thousand inhabitants in the country (4.1), followed by the Autonomous Region of Madeira (3.3).
The lowest rate of domestic violence was registered in Beja (2.2), while the national average was 2.8, according to RASI data.
In 2019, according to the report of the Portuguese Victim Support Association (APAV), about 42% of homicides in Portugal were registered in the context of domestic violence.
The number of cases of domestic violence during confinement imposed by the covid-19 pandemic has increased by up to 60%, warned the European department of the World Health Organization in May.

The Azorean airline Azores Airlines, belonging to the SATA group, will resume direct connections between Terceira Island and the city of Porto, from September 16th, the company revealed today.
The Regional Health Authority has reported that, from 5,441 tests carried out in the two reference laboratories in the Region since the 21st of August, seven positive cases of COVID-19 on the island of São Miguel have been diagnosed. There has also been one recovery.
All the cases have been detected at the airport during the required screening procedure or on the follow-up test carried out on all arrivals to the region on the 6th day of the stay.
So far, 209 cases of infection by the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which causes COVID-19 disease, have been detected in the Region, and there are currently 27 active positive cases, of which 24 are on the island of São Miguel, two on Terceira Island and one on Pico Island.

Situation Report Azores 21st August – 22nd August 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
The British Government has announced that Portugal and the Autonomous regions of The Azores and Madeira will be added to the list of travel corridors, following the weekly review of data carried out by the Common Biosafety Centre. The measure takes effect from 04:00 on Saturday, so passengers traveling from Portugal to the UK will not need to stay in quarantine for two weeks at home, but those arriving before this date will have to comply in the same the 14 days of self-isolation.
Everyone traveling from abroad to the UK will continue to be required to complete a form with personal information and contact details for tracking purposes. Here is a useful document for all travellers going to the Azores.
https://destinoseguro.azores.gov.pt/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Recommendations-for-a-safe-trip-to-the-Azores_compressed.pdf
There is more information here https://covid19.azores.gov.pt/?page_id=6304
Over the las few days the Regional Health Authority has reported that, from 3,442 tests carried out in the two reference laboratories in the Region recently, six positive cases of COVID-19 were diagnosed, five on the island of São Miguel and one on the island of Pico.
Five of the cases were diagnosed as a part of the screening tests carried out on passengers from abroad on arrival and after the sixth day of stay in the Region, they are two men, 32 and 47 years old, and three women, aged between 21 and 43 years old. The other diagnosed person, a man who is 39 years old, has been in close contact with a high risk, positive case, part of the chain of transmission registered on the island of São Miguel.
There has been another recovery, a 46-year-old man, bringing to 151 the number of recovered cases from COVID-19 disease. 202 cases of infection by the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which causes COVID-19 disease, have been detected in the Region, with 23 active positive cases currently, of which 20 on the island of São Miguel, two on Terceira Island and one on Pico Island.

Situation Report Azores 16th August – 19th August 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
The Regional Health Authority has reported that, as a result of 1,203 tests carried out in the two reference laboratories in the Region in the last 24 hours, a positive case of COVID-19 on Terceira Island has been diagnosed and there have been four recoveries.
The diagnosed case is a 51-year-old man, a non-resident, who arrived in the Autonomous Region of the Azores on August 17th by air from the continent, he obtained a positive result when he was tested on arrival. He is in a stable clinical condition and the procedures defined for confirmed cases, testing and surveillance of close contacts have already been taken care of by the Municipal Health Delegation.
The four recoveries are three men aged between 30 and 56 years old, and one woman, aged 25 years old, all located on the island of São Miguel, the number of recovered cases are now 150.
Thus, so far, 196 cases of infection with the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19 disease, have been detected in the Region, and there are currently 19 active positive cases, of which 17 on the island of São Miguel and two on Terceira island.

Situation Report Azores 13th August – 15th August 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
The Portuguese Navy and the Ponta Delgada Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC Delgada), has provided assistance to a UK flag, sailing vessel “Della Myra”. The yacht is being crewed by an 80 year-old British man. It was sailing about 178 nautical miles (about 330 kilometres) west of the island of Faial, with food shortages, engine problems and damaged sail. The oceanic patrol vessel Sines was immediately sent out to provide support to the sailboat, this included logistical assistance and support for engine repair.
After the Navy ship arrived to where the yacht was, a technical team boarded the sailboat to supply foodstuffs and repair the propulsion damage.
The Regional Health Authority has reported that the 1,316 tests carried out in the two reference laboratories in the Region, in the last 24 hours, did not reveal new positive cases of Covid-19, but there has been a recovery. The recovered case is a 53-year-old woman, bringing the total recoveries in the Region to 143.
So far, 193 cases of infection by the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which causes Covid-19 disease, have been detected in the Region, and there are currently 25 active positive cases, all on the island of São Miguel.
Situation Report Azores 11th August – 12th August 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
There are 27 active cases of Covid-19 on the island of São Miguel. The most recent cases have occurred due to community transmission in the night spots of the island. The health department is concerned and because of this situation, the Government of the Azores, in an extraordinary meeting of the Government Council held today, by videoconference has determined that for the island of São Miguel, between 00:00 hours on 13 August and 24:00 on September 1, the following:

  1. Closure of drinks and similar establishments, with dance spaces;
  2. Closure, from 10:00 pm, of bars and other beverage establishments, with or without a show, with or without terrace service;
  3. From 22:00 onwards, fuel filling stations can maintain their operation, exclusively for the purpose of selling fuel and supplying vehicles to the public.

In addition to these, and within the framework of a number of other measures already in force, the Government Council decided to extend the public calamity situation until midnight on September 1, the islands of Santa Maria, São Miguel, Terceira, Pico and Faial, as well as the alert situation on the islands Graciosa, São Jorge, Flores and Corvo.
The Regional Health Authority has reported that, as a result of the 2,497 tests carried out in the two reference laboratories in the Region in the last 48 hours, four positive cases of Covid-19 on the island of São Miguel were diagnosed, as well as four recovered cases.
The diagnosed cases are three men aged 32, 33, and 39-years-old. All of them have had close contact with two positive cases diagnosed in the last two days. This is a local transmission chain under investigation in the municipality of Ponta Delgada.
They are all in a stable clinical condition and the procedures defined for confirmed cases, testing and surveillance of close contacts have already been taken care of by the Municipal Health Delegation.
A woman has also been diagnosed positive. She disembarked in the Region from a connection with the mainland. On her required sixth day test, she was positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
The four recovered cases are all men aged between 38 and 54
Thus, so far, 192 cases of infection with the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which causes Covid-19 disease, have been detected in the Region, and there are currently 27 active positive cases, all of them on the island of São Miguel.

Situation Report Azores 9th August – 10th August 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
The President of the Regional Government of the Azores “Vasco Cordeiro” presented his ‘preliminary’ proposal for an ‘Agenda for the Social and Economic Recovery of the Region’ at the weekend. It is a strategic, ‘consultative’ document that includes 250 ‘suggested’ measures for ‘discussion’, primarily aimed at supporting the tourism sector.
The document is wide-ranging and contributions are being welcome from everyone: https://agendarelancamento.azores.gov.pt/
Meanwhile, the Regional Health Authority reported on Saturday 8th Aug that, as a result of 1,404 tests carried out in the two reference laboratories in the Region in the previous 24 hours, six positive cases of COVID-19 on the island of São Miguel were diagnosed.
The diagnosed cases are four men, aged between 13 and 45 years old, and two women, aged 22 and 37 years old, five of whom landed in the Region by air from the mainland on 6th and 7th August, having obtained a positive result for the SARS-CoV-2 virus on arrival.
One of them who arrived on July 6th and obtained negative results in the screening tests then, started showing signs and symptoms of infection. The person contacted the Azores Health Line and was validated as a suspected case and subjected to the collection of more biological samples and respective laboratory analysis, with subsequent positive result. This person had already been infected in his/her country of origin. Documentation was submitted and information that supported its recovery from the infection caused by SARS-CoV-2, so the patient will now be under active surveillance under the coordination of the Municipal Health Delegation.
Covid-19 Situation
On Sunday after 1211 tests were taken three more positive cases have been diagnosed. They relate to a man, who is 45 years old, and two women, 27 and 34 years old, who disembarked in the Region from air connections with the mainland, having performed screening tests prior to boarding and proof of negative results for the SARS-CoV-2 virus was presented upon arrival in the Region.
Following their stay in the Region, new screening tests were carried out after the sixth day, with all three showing a positive result.
All of them are in a stable clinical condition and the procedures defined for confirmed cases, testing and surveillance of close contacts have already been taken care of by the Local Health Delegations
So far, 188 cases of infection by the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which causes COVID-19 disease, have been detected in the Region, and there are currently 27 active positive cases, all of them on the island of São Miguel. The last time the island had this many active cases was around 15th May this year.

Situation Report Azores 7th August – 8th August 2020 – From our colleague in the
The Camera of Ponta Delgada has presented a program called “Animar PDL”, which will cost 200 thousand euros. This is a series of events in hotels, restaurants and on the streets, created to mitigate the effects of the covid-19.
The events started on Thursday and 229 artists are going to perform in 65 different events. Over the next few weeks 18 wandering performers will walk through the streets in the historic centre of Ponta Delgada.
Also planned are 16 live concerts, a sample of live art, three DJs will perform, 15 solo performers will entertain, an open-air cinema, two children’s shows and a concert of viola da terra.
The Regional Health Authority has reported that the 1,548 tests carried out in the two reference laboratories in the Region, in the last 24 hours, did not reveal new positive cases of COVID-19.
The Region maintains a total of 179 cases of infection with the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19 disease, and there are currently 19 active positive cases, all of them on the island of São Miguel.
Children under 12 will not pay for air travel to the Azores (conditions apply)
The Government of the Azores announced this Friday the creation of a national and international campaign so that children up to 12 years old do not pay for air travel to the region, as a way to relaunch tourism due to the covid-19.
The proposal is part of a set of 250 measures on the agenda for the social and economic relaunch of the region in the post-pandemic of the covid-19, which was presented today by the President and Vice President of the Government of the Azores, Vasco Cordeiro and Sérgio Ávila , respectively. The document, available online, reads that ” financial support will be given for campaigning, national, European and international, aimed at families, in which, with two paying adults, children up to 12 years old do not pay for the trip by plane”.
About this measure it is also said that it will be “operationalized” through a contract between the Regional Government, the “airline, the participating tour operators” and “those responsible for offering promotional packages”. The document states that the initiative will start in the second half of 2020, without specifying more details.
In the presentation of the agenda, the Vice-President of the Government highlighted that the document is organized in two pillars: one that aims to “relaunch the economy of the Azores” and the other to “build more resilient Azores”. In the tourism sector, the Regional Government intends to carry out a campaign, at national and European level, in which “the possibility of visiting three islands without paying the inter-island air fare” is offered, with the minimum stay requirement of “two nights on each of the islands “.

Situation Report Azores 4th August – 5th August 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
The Regional Government has awarded more than 1,000 ‘Clean & Safe Azores’ seals on all the islands of the archipelago, said the Regional Secretary for Energy, Environment and Tourism Marta Guerreiro.
According to the minister, 18 training courses were held in the areas of Hospitality, Local Accommodation, Rural Tourism, Tourist Entertainment and Maritime Tourism, Rent-a-car, Travel Agencies, Tours and Tourism Information Professionals, Restaurants and Tourism Offices, 1,470 enterprises enrolled, and a total of 1,852 people completed the on-line courses.

The Government of the Azores will reorganise the ‘covid-19 test area’ at João Paulo II airport in Ponta Delgada, this is to “streamline” the testing procedures for passengers who disembark on the island of São Miguel. There have been delays at the current facility, leading to complaints.
The Regional Health Authority has reported that the 1,295 tests carried out in the two reference laboratories in the Region in the last 24 hours did not reveal new positive cases of COVID-19.
Yesterday, as a result of the 890 tests carried out, a positive case of COVID-19 on the island of São Miguel was diagnosed.
The diagnosed case is a 47-year-old man, not resident in the Azores, who landed in the Region by air from the continental on August 2nd, having obtained a positive result for the virus on arrival SARS-CoV-2.
He is in a stable clinical condition and the procedures defined for confirmed cases, testing and surveillance of close contacts have already been taken care of by the Municipal Health Delegation.
The Region maintains a total of 176 cases of infection with the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19 disease, and there are currently 17 active positive cases, all on the island of São Miguel.
In case of symptoms, do not go to a Hospital or Health Centre, but call the Azores Health Line – 808 24 60 24.
For more information, visit the website created by the Government of the Azores on pandemic control in the Region, at https://destinoseguro.azores.gov.pt/ , or the Facebook page of the Regional Health Directorate, at https: / /www.facebook.com/DirecaoSaudeAcores/ .
The Government of the Azores has also provided the Azores Non-Medical Clarification Line COVID-19, at 800 29 29 29, which can be used between 8:30 am and 6:30 pm, on working days, and the RIAC Line 800 500 501, which works from Monday to Saturday, from 9 am to 10:30 pm, and on Sundays, from 10 am to 10:30 pm.
It is also available the email address esclarecimentocovid19@azores.gov.pt for clarification on measures taken in the region to cope with the new coronavirus pandemic.

Situation Report Azores 2nd August – 3rd August 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores

The Regional Health Authority has reported that, after 1,101 tests carried out by the two reference laboratories in the Region in the last 24 hours, a positive case of COVID-19 on the island of São Miguel has been diagnosed.
The case refers is a 25-year-old woman who is not resident in the Azores and arrived in the Region from by air from the Continent on August 1st, she tested positive for the SARS-CoV- virus when she arrived.
She is in a stable clinical condition and the procedures defined for confirmed cases, testing and surveillance of close contacts have already been taken care of by the Municipal Health Delegation.
There has also been a recovery, a 65-year-old man who landed in the Region, on Terceira Island, on July 14th.
In summary, 175 cases of infection with the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19 disease, have been detected in the Region, and there are currently 16 active positive cases, all of them on the island of São Miguel.

Situation Report Azores 31st July – 1st August 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
The Regional Health Authority has reported that, after 1,100 tests carried out in the two reference laboratories in the last 24 hours, two positive cases of Covid-19 on the island of São Miguel have been diagnosed.
One of the diagnosed cases is a 58-year-old man, not resident in the Azores, who landed by air from the continent on July 24th, with a negative test document. When he took his 6th day test, this one turned out to be positive.
The other case is a 44-year-old woman, resident on the island of São Miguel, who disembarked in the Region from the continent on July 30th, and on arrival obtained a positive result in the screening test for the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
So, with another positive case on Wednesday and in the Region as a whole, 174 cases of infection with the new coronavirus have been diagnosed, with currently 18 active positive cases, of which 17 on the island of São Miguel and one on the island of Terceira.
In other news, a security guard from a private company in Ponta Delgada was the victim of a frenzied attack yesterday at dawn.
The victim was attacked with a ‘close range’ weapon, suffering injuries to the head, neck and shoulder and requiring hospital treatment. According to the latest information, he has been discharged and is recovering from his injuries. The attacker was caught in the act and arrested at the scene, the 30 year-old man is being held by the PSP in Ponta Delgada.

Situation Report Azores 31st July – 1st August 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
The Regional Health Authority has reported that, after 1,100 tests carried out in the two reference laboratories in the last 24 hours, two positive cases of Covid-19 on the island of São Miguel have been diagnosed.
One of the diagnosed cases is a 58-year-old man, not resident in the Azores, who landed by air from the continent on July 24th, with a negative test document. When he took his 6th day test, this one turned out to be positive.
The other case is a 44-year-old woman, resident on the island of São Miguel, who disembarked in the Region from the continent on July 30th, and on arrival obtained a positive result in the screening test for the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
So, with another positive case on Wednesday and in the Region as a whole, 174 cases of infection with the new coronavirus have been diagnosed, with currently 18 active positive cases, of which 17 on the island of São Miguel and one on the island of Terceira.
In other news, a security guard from a private company in Ponta Delgada was the victim of a frenzied attack yesterday at dawn.
The victim was attacked with a ‘close range’ weapon, suffering injuries to the head, neck and shoulder and requiring hospital treatment. According to the latest information, he has been discharged and is recovering from his injuries. The attacker was caught in the act and arrested at the scene, the 30 year-old man is being held by the PSP in Ponta Delgada.

Situation Report Azores 28th July – 29th July 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
On Monday the Regional Health Authority has reported that, following 535 new ‘tests’ in the Region, two positive cases of Covid-19 on the island of São Miguel have been diagnosed. One of the diagnosed cases is a 43-year-old man and non-resident. He arrived on July 19th from the continent, his test on arrival was negative but six day later when he took the required, second test it was positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus
The other case diagnosed is a 56-year-old man, non-resident, who arrived in the Region on July 25th and who, when he was tested on arrival his test was positive.
On Tuesday 28th July the Regional Health Authority reported that there have been six new cases of covid-19 diagnosed, three were made following 1,007 tests carried out in the two reference laboratories in the Region, one of which referred to a 53-year-old woman who is not resident in the Azores. She arrived by air from the mainland on July 26th and on Monday received a positive result.
The other two cases were diagnosed as a result of tests carried out in the Region’s laboratories refer to a 62-year-old man and a 12-year-old girl, who landed in the Region by air, from the continental on 25th July and that, after a first inconclusive result, obtained a positive result on Monday.
The other three cases are men, aged between 38 and 54 years old, living in the Azores, who obtained positive results in the screening tests for the SARS-CoV-2 virus performed prior to surgical intervention in a private clinic, this is normal and follows the guidelines and recommendations of the Regional Health Directorate.
One of these men had arrived on July 22nd and was tested negative on arrival

Situation Report Azores 26th July – 27th July 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores.
A woman and her five-year-old daughter, put into ‘quarantine’ in an hotel at their own expense because they were sitting close to a man on a flight from Lisbon to Graciosa via Ponta Delgada who’d tested ‘positive’ for “Covid-19”, have filed a request for immediate release (‘habeas corpus’). He was sitting, just in front of them on the flight. Although tests on them have proved ‘negative’, the health delegation still insists that they stay in ‘quarantine’ and the result of her legal ‘appeal’ is to be determined.
Meanwhile, a 39-year-old man, normally resident on the continent, has recovered on the island of Flores.
The ‘Archipelago’ has had 163 cases of “Covid-19” infection since the outbreak began on the 15th of March and there are currently 8 ‘active’ cases – 7 on São Miguel and 1 on Terceira.

Situation Report Azores 24th July – 25th July 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
The UK Government announced, yesterday, that existing UK restrictions on travel between the UK and Portugal (including the autonomous regions of Madeira and the Azores) will remain in place for the time being. In particular, the requirement to ‘self-isolate’ for fourteen days on arrival in the UK from Portugal, remains in place. It’s understood by the authorities that this is a ‘disappointing outcome’ for many people in both countries.
Meanwhile, the Regional Health Authority has reported that, following 968 tests, carried out in the region in the last 24 hours, 1 new ‘positive’ case of COVID-19 on the island of São Miguel has been diagnosed. It’s a 24-year-old man from outside the ‘Archipelago’ who flew into the region from the continent on July the 22nd. His first test was ‘inconclusive’ but following a ‘retest’, he was declared as ‘positive’.
So, the ‘Archipelago’ has had a total of 162 ‘infections’ since the outbreak began on March the 15th. There are currently just nine ‘active’ cases; 7 on the island of São Miguel, 1 on Flores and 1 on Terceira.

Azores
Situation Report Azores 24th July 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
A survey of users of the “Azores Health Line” (808 24 60 24) during the first half of 2020, showed that 97% of Azoreans who’d contacted the service are ‘very satisfied’ with the level of support, provided.
Between January and June this year, more than 98% of the people who contacted the Azores Health Line followed the instructions given by nurses and did not need to resort to more help or differentiated care after the initial assessment made by telephone.
The survey also said that about 97% of users, in the future, would use the Azores Health Line as a resource instead of going immediately to a health unit, a fact that Teresa Machado Luciano, the Regional Health Secretary, considered to be “very positive, as she confirmed that the service is corresponding to one of its main objective”.
Meanwhile, the Health Authority reports that 1,023 tests were carried out in the last 24 hours but there have been no new ‘positive’ cases of “COVID-19”.
So, the ‘Archipelago’ has had a total of 161 ‘infections’ since the outbreak began on March the 15th. There are currently just eight ‘active’ cases; 6 on the island of São Miguel, 1 on Flores and 1 on Terceira.

Situation Report Azores 22nd July – 23rd July 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
“RTP Açores” reported, yesterday that most of the Canadian emigrants who’ve been arriving at Ponta Delgada Airport in the past few days, have been submitting ‘invalid’ “Covid-19” test results! A test, taken 72 hours before departure, is required to enter the region, otherwise one must be taken on arrival.
So, last weekend, many passengers from Canada were being asked to undergo new tests and spend time in ‘confinement’ in a hotel, until their fresh results were known.
According to the Regional Health Authority, too many test results that were being ‘presented’ on arrival, were inconclusive or the original testing centre wasn’t correctly identified.
The Health Authority has also reported that 1,023 tests, carried out in the last 24 hours, haven’t revealed any new ‘positive’ cases of “COVID-19”. Indeed, a 42-year-old woman who’s resident on the island of São Miguel, has recovered in that time.
The ‘Archipelago’ has had a total of 161 ‘infections’ since the outbreak began on March the 15th. There are currently just eight ‘active’ cases; 6 on the island of São Miguel, 1 on Flores and 1 on Terceira.

Azores
Situation Report Azores 21st July – 22nd July 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
The Regional Health Authority reported on Monday that, from 719 tests carried out in the two reference laboratories in the Region, two positive cases of COVID-19 were diagnosed on the island of São Miguel.
One of the diagnosed cases is a 36-year-old man, a crew member of a vessel that arrived in the Autonomous Region of the Azores and that remained here while waiting for test results.
He is in a stable clinical condition and will be transferred to an accommodation to complete the required isolation.
The rest of the crew members must quarantine on the vessel for a period of 14 days.
The other case is a 51-year-old man, who arrived on Monday, by air from the continent, his pre-arrival tests produced inconclusive results. A second test, taken after arriving in the Region, was positive.
He is also in a stable clinical condition and has been transferred from the airport to the Hospital do Divino Espírito Santo in Ponta Delgada, for evaluation.
The Regional Health Authority has reported that the 1,023 tests carried out in the two reference laboratories in the Region in the last 24 hours did not reveal positive cases of COVID-19.
The Region has had a total of 161 cases of infection by the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which causes COVID-19 disease. There are currently only nine active positive cases, seven of which on the island of São Miguel, one on the island Terceira and one on the island of Flores.
Situation Report Azores 19th July – 20th July 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
The Regional Health Authority has said that the 931 tests carried out in the two reference laboratories in the Region in the last 24 hours did not reveal positive cases of COVID-19
The Region has a total of 159 cases of infection by the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which causes the disease COVID-19, with seven currently active positive cases, five on the island of São Miguel, and one on the island of Terceira. And one on the island of Flores. The Regional Health Authority reiterates that measures to prevent and contain the pandemic must be maintained and strengthened, whenever possible, by citizens, public and social sector organisations.
Situation Report Azores 18th July – 19th July 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
The Azores still have seven positive cases of the Covid-19 virus, after the 1,135 tests carried out in the last 24 hours have not revealed any new infections, the Regional Health Authority said yesterday. There are five people on the island of São Miguel, one on the island of Terceira and one on the island of Flores.
Since the beginning of the outbreak, 159 cases of infection by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which causes the covid-19 disease, have been registered in the archipelago, and sadly, 16 deaths. Four of the confirmed cases in the Azores were people who returned to mainland Portugal, after being diagnosed in the region.
Situation Report Azores 17th July – 18th July 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
The Regional Health Authority reported yesterday that 2 new ‘positive’ cases of “COVID-19” have been diagnosed on the islands of São Miguel and Terceira. This follows 926 tests, carried out in the previous 24 hours.
The ‘case’ on the island of São Miguel is a 26 year- old woman, identified as a close contact of the infected person, detected on the island of Flores and, for that reason, she was already in ‘quarantine’ for 14 days. The ‘screening’ tests, performed on arrival and on the sixth day, had both produced ‘negative’ results and only the test, performed at the end of her ‘quarantine’ period, proved ‘positive’.
The Terceira Island ‘case’ is a 65-year-old man who also lives in the region. He’d arrived from the mainland on the 14th of July and his first test was ‘inconclusive’ so he went into ‘quarantine’ but his ‘follow-up’ test gave a ‘positive’ result.
Both are in stable clinical conditions and ‘testing’ and ‘monitoring’ of close contacts by the health authorities are already underway. So, with these 2 new ‘infections’, a total of 159 people with “Covid-19” have been detected in the region since the outbreak began on March the 15th. Currently there are 7 ‘active’ ‘cases’ in the Azores; 5 on São Miguel, 1 on Flores & 1 on Terceira.
Situation Report Azores 16th July – 17th July 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
The Azorean government has produced an ‘online’ ‘risk assessment’ questionnaire for people, coming to the ‘Archipelago’. It aims to ‘streamline’ and speed up ‘arrivals’ in the region and can be accessed on this website: https://destinoseguro.azores.gov.pt/
It is also being distributed by airlines, within the 72-hour period, leading up to flight departure.

The information collected in the questionnaire will be automatically integrated into the government’s “COVID-19” platform and will assist ‘tracking’ and ‘tracing’ of visitors if necessary.
Meanwhile, the Regional Health Authority has reported that 1,140 tests were carried out in the region in the past 24 hours but fortunately, they didn’t reveal any new ‘positive’ cases of “COVID-19”. There has been one more recovery, a 31-year-old man who’s a resident on the island of São Miguel
So far, the region has had a total of 157 cases of infection since the outbreak began on March the 15th and currently there are just 5 ‘active’ cases. 1 of them is on the island of Flores, the other 4 are on São Miguel

Situation Report Thursday 16th July 2020 from our colleagues in the Azores
The Regional Government of the Azores decided to extend the situation of public calamity on the five islands that have air connections to the outside of the archipelago, until August 1st, keeping the rest on alert, it was disclosed yesterday.
“The permanent monitoring of the covid-19 pandemic in the Azores has allowed us to come to the conclusion that, in view of the global pandemic situation, and taking into account the opening of air connections from abroad to the islands of Santa Maria, São Miguel, Terceira, Pico and Faial, maintaining the situation of public calamity is justified”, said the deputy regional secretary of the Presidency for Parliamentary Affairs Berto Messias.
Meanwhile, the Regional Health Authority has reported that the 1,285 tests were carried out in the region in the past 24 hours but fortunately, didn’t reveal any new ‘positive’ cases of “COVID-19”.
There has been one recovery, an 18-year-old man, resident on the island of São Miguel
So far, the region has had a total of 157 cases of infection since the outbreak began on March the 15th and currently there are 6 ‘active’ cases. 1 of them is on the island of Flores, the other 5 are on the island of São Miguel.

Situation Report Azores 14th July – 15th July 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
Another earthquake with a magnitude 3.5 on the Richter scale and epicenter about 23 kilometers east / southeast of Cabo da Praia, hit Terceira island yesterday, this event was recorded in the morning by the Azores Seismovolcanic Surveillance and Information Center (CIVISA).
Meanwhile, the Regional Health Authority has reported that the 1,132 tests were carried out in the region in the past 24 hours but fortunately, didn’t reveal any new ‘positive’ cases of “COVID-19”.
So far, the region has had a total of 157 cases of infection since the outbreak began on March the 15th and currently there are 7 ‘active’ cases. 1 of them is on the island of Flores, the other 6 are on the island of São Miguel.

Situation Report Azores 13th July – 14th July 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
On Monday, five districts of mainland Portugal, the Azorean islands of Faial & Terceira as well as Madeira had ‘extreme risk of exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation’, according to the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and the Atmosphere (IPMA). For regions with ‘extreme risk’, IPMA recommends that everyone avoids ‘exposure’ to the sun as much as possible.
The districts of Viana do Castelo, Braga, Porto, Vila Real, Bragança, Aveiro, Viseu, Coimbra, Castelo, Branco, Leiria, Lisbon, Setúbal and Faro on the mainland plus the islands of Flores and São Miguel in the Azores & the island of Porto Santo, off Madeira, had a ‘very high’ risk. For regions with a ‘very high’ risk, IPMA advises that people use sunglasses (ideally with a UV filter), hats,’t-shirts’, parasols and sunscreens. Also, children should avoid ‘exposure’ to the sun.
Meanwhile, the Regional Health Authority has reported that the 567 tests were carried out in the region in the past 24 hours but fortunately, didn’t reveal any new ‘positive’ cases of “COVID-19”. So far, the region has had a total of 157 cases of infection since the outbreak began on March the 15th and currently there are 7 ‘active’ cases. 1 of them is on the island of Flores, the other 6 are on the island of São Miguel.

Situation Report Azores 12th July – 13th July 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
An earthquake with a magnitude of 3.0 on the “Richter” scale was recorded last Saturday on Terceira island, it was felt in the parish of Santa Cruz, Praia da Vitória. The earthquake happened at 19:41 hrs, local time (20:41, Lisbon) with its ‘epicenter’ about 13 kilometres east/northeast of Lajes, said the Regional Service of Civil Protection and Firefighters of the Azores. This is the fourth earthquake, felt by the population of Terceira Island this month; the last one in the same area, registered a magnitude of 2.4 on the 2nd of July. The other two, felt on July 8 (with magnitudes of 2.1 and 2.6), had their ‘epicenters’ in the west of the island.
Meanwhile, the Regional Health Authority has reported that the 989 tests carried out in the region in the past 24 hours, didn’t reveal any new ‘positive’ cases of “COVID-19”.
So far, the region has had a total of 157 cases of “Covid-19” infection since the outbreak began on March the 15th and currently there are 7 ‘active’ cases. 1 of them is on the island of Flores, the other 6 are on the island of São Miguel.

Situation Report Azores 11th July 12th July 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
The Regional Health Authority reported has said this afternoon that the 1,114 tests carried out at the two reference laboratories in the Region in the past 24 hours did not reveal positive cases of COVID-19.
So, the Region maintains a total of 157 cases of infection by the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which causes COVID-19 disease, with seven currently active positive cases, six of which on the island of São Miguel and one on the island of Flores.

Situation Report Azores 10th July 11th July 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
The Regional Health Authority has reported that, as a result of the 940 tests carried out in the two reference laboratories in the Region in the last 24 hours, three positive cases of COVID-19 on the island of São Miguel have been diagnosed.
The cases refer to men, between the ages of 46 and 66, who disembarked in the Autonomous Region of the Azores from air connections from the mainland. Two of the cases were positive after a screening test for SARS-CoV-2 infection on arrival in the Region, the other case had a positive result in the screening test performed on the sixth day after the first test. One of the diagnosed cases returned to mainland the day after arriving in the Region.
The Ponta Delgada Municipal Health Delegation has already made contact with the National Health Authority to monitor this case.
The new cases in the Region are in a stable clinical condition and the procedures defined for confirmed case, testing and surveillance of close contacts have already been taken care of by the Municipal Health Delegation.
With these more recent cases, 157 cases of infection by the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19 disease have been detected in the Region, and there are currently seven active positive cases, six of which on the island of São Miguel and one on Flores island.
Situation Report Azores 9th July 10th July 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
The authorities on the island of Terceira have discovered that the man, diagnosed with “Covid-19” and supposed to stay there until he’d fully ‘recovered’, flew back to continental Portugal on Wednesday.
His second test, carried out on the 7th of July, produced a ‘positive’ result and despite having been told this by telephone at about 12:00 hrs on July 8th by the “COVID-19” ‘Home, Patient Monitoring Team’, the man left for the mainland, without the authority’s permission or knowledge.
The Regional Health Authority reports that the 1,105 tests were carried out during the last 24 hours but no new ‘positive’ cases were revealed.
The Region has had 154 cases of infection, now left with 5 ‘active’ cases; 4 on the island of São Miguel, and 1 on the island of Flores. Since the outbreak began on the 15th of March, 130 people have recovered, three have returned to mainland Portugal but sadly, 16 have died.

Situation Report Azores 8th July – 9th July 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
The Ponta Delgada Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIPD) expressed concern yesterday about, “unexplained failures” in reporting the results of “Covid-19” screening tests. In response, the Regional Secretary for Health Teresa Luciano says that thousands of tests have been carried out on passengers arriving in the Azores which is why there’s been a delay in issuing some results. They should be available within 12 hours but some arriving passengers have had to wait two or three days, in ‘self-isolation’ in their accommodation, waiting for news.
The number of tests, carried out on passengers, entering the region between June the 15th and July the 4th, was 6,825. 2,328 ‘presented’ tests were completed outside the region and 4,497 were carried out at one of the five ports of entry in the ‘Archipelago’.
The Region has had 154 cases of infection with 6 ‘active’ cases, four on the island of São Miguel, one on the island of Terceira and one on the island of Flores. Since the outbreak began on the 15th of March, 130 people have recovered, two have returned to mainland Portugal but sadly, 16 have died.

Situation Report Azores 7th July – 8th July 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
The Regional Health Service of the Azores will be reinforced this year with 579 new professionals, from all sectors, was announced today by the regional secretary of Health.
Teresa Machado Luciano said that this year “179 professionals have already been hired” and that 400 more staff from different areas will be hired later this year, including doctors, nurses, senior diagnostic and therapeutic technicians, technical assistants, psychologists, senior technicians and operational assistants “.
The Regional Health Authority announced that the 888 tests carried out at the two reference laboratories in the Region in the past 24 hours did not reveal new positive cases of Covid-19 So, the Region maintains a total of 154 cases of infection with six ‘active’ cases, four on the island of São Miguel, one on the island of Terceira and one on the island of Flores. Since the outbreak began on the 15th of March, 130 people have recovered, two have returned to mainland Portugal but sadly, 16 have died.
Situation Report Azores 5th July – 6th July 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
The Regional Health Executive has said, that in the last 24 hours, 612 tests were carried out in the two reference laboratories in the Region, with no new cases registered.
So, the Region has a total of 154 cases of infection by the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which causes COVID-19 disease, with six currently active positive cases, four on the island of São Miguel, one on the island of Terceira and one on the island of Flores
Azores
Situation Report Azores 5th July – 6th July 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
“Ryanair” has started ‘direct’ flights from London “Stansted” airport to the Azores again, the first flight to Ponta Delgada airport arrived on Saturday the 4th of July and currently, they’re scheduled to continue for the rest of the year. Another flight from the same airport to Ponta Delgada is scheduled for every Tuesday from the 7th of July until the 29th of September. On Wednesdays, from the 8th of July until the 21st of October, Ryanair will also fly from “Stanstead” to Terceira.
At the moment, SATA “Azores Airlines” don’t have any plans to fly directly from the UK this year although they are flying twice a week from Frankfurt to Ponta Delgada on Thursdays and Sundays.
People are hoping that because of the direct flights and the very low levels of Covid-19 recorded in the ‘Archipelago’, the UK government will suspend the ‘14-day quarantine’ requirement for passengers, returning there from Portugal and the Azores.
The Regional Health Authority reports that the 938 tests have been carried out in the Region in the last 24 hours but there were no new ‘positive’ cases of “COVID-19”. So, the Region maintains a total of 154 cases of infection with six ‘active’ cases, four on the island of São Miguel, one on the island of Terceira and one on the island of Flores. Since the outbreak began on the 15th of March, 130 people have recovered, two have returned to mainland Portugal but sadly, 16 have died.

AZORES – from our volunteer in the Azores
Situation Report Azores 4th July – 5th July 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
The islanders of Flores have had their first case of “Covid-19” since the outbreak of the ‘pandemic’ hit the Azores, back on March the 15th. It’s a 39-year-old man who’d travelled from the mainland to São Miguel on the 30th of June and went on to Flores on July 1st. On arrival, he’d presented a ‘negative’ test for the virus but 6 days later, he tested ‘positive’ on a second ‘required’ test. Currently, he’s in a stable clinical situation and the procedures defined for a confirmed case, ‘testing’ and ‘surveillance’ of close contacts, have already been carried out by the local health authorities. Tests on the 3 people with whom he was travelling and staying since his arrival in the region, have shown ‘negative’ results.
To date, 154 cases of infection have been detected in the ‘Archipelago’ and there are currently 6 ‘active’ cases, 4 on the island of São Miguel, 1 on the island of Terceira and now, 1 on the island of Flores. So far 132 have recovered, sadly 16 people have died.

Situation Report Azores 3rd July – 4th July 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
The autonomous Portuguese regions of the Azores and Madeira have been removed from what’s called the ‘Non-essential travel’ list because of their successes in combating the virus and their low infection rates but unfortunately, while travel to and from the regions isn’t a problem, passengers will still have to complete 14 days quarantine on return to the U.K. This takes effect from tomorrow, July the 4th and stays in place for the time being for all people arriving in the UK from Portugal, as a whole.
The Azores is handling the crisis well as can be seen by its performances since the first ‘positive’ “Covid-19” case was diagnosed here on the 15th of March. In 831 tests, carried out in the last 24 hours, no new infections have been identified and to-date, 153 people have had virus. 132 of them recovered but sadly, 16 died, leaving just 5 ‘active’ cases; 4 on São Miguel and 1 on Terceira.

Situation Report Azores 2nd July – 3rd July 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
A 2.4 magnitude earthquake (very small) on the Richter scale was felt this morning on Terceira island. The epicentre was about 6 km from Lajes base.
The Regional Health Authority reports that the 914 tests carried out in the two reference laboratories in the Region in the last 24 hours did not reveal new positive cases of COVID-19.
To-date, 153 people have been infected with the virus since the first ‘positive’ case was discovered in the Azores on the 15th of March. 132 of them have recovered but sadly, 16 died, leaving 5 ‘active’ cases; 4 on São Miguel and 1 on Terceira.

Situation Report Azores 1st July – 2nd July 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
The Regional Government of the Azores has just published a list of ‘approved’ laboratories in continental Portugal where people, travelling to the region, can book a free “Covid-19” test prior to their flight: https://covid19.azores.gov.pt/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/LaboratoriosConvencionadosCovid30062020.pdf
The tests, being paid for by the Azorean government, must be completed within 72 hours of flight departure and proof of travel is required. Results are being sent to the regional health authority as well as the visitor.
Meanwhile, the official state of ‘Public Calamity’ on the islands of Faial, Pico, Santa Maria, São Miguel & Terceira has been extended until 00:00 on the 15th of July. Despite the “efficacy of the approved procedures” in “containing the spread of the virus in the region”, as well as the “adherence, commitment and responsibility” of people to the implemented measures, the regional government believes that in view of the evolution the global pandemic situation plus the opening of air connections from abroad to those islands, it is justifiable to maintain that situation as well as an extension of the ‘Alert’ status on the islands of Corvo, Flores, Graciosa, São Jorge.
As a result of the 852 tests in the last 24 hours, 1 new ‘positive’ case of “Covid-19” has been diagnosed on the island of São Miguel. It’s the 10-year-old son of the woman who tested ‘positive’ on arrival on the 27th June. Currently, the boy is in a stable ‘medical’ condition and in ‘quarantine’ with his mother.
To-date, 153 people have been infected with the virus since the first ‘positive’ case was discovered in the Azores on the 15th of March. 132 of them have recovered but sadly, 16 died, leaving 5 ‘active’ cases; 4 on São Miguel and 1 on Terceira.

Situation Report Azores 30th June – 1st July 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
The new hunting season in the Azores starts today and runs until June 30, 2021, “ensuring total respect for the sustainability of game resources”, announced the Regional Government.
The rules for the hunting calendar has been established for each of the islands in the Azores and have been published in the Official Journal by the Regional Secretariat for Agriculture and Forestry, through the Regional Directorate for Forest Resources.
The dates established for each of the islands indicate to the hunters which species can be hunted, the period in which hunting can be carried out, the number of pieces that can be captured, the places where hunting is allowed, as well as the processes hunting equipment that can be used.
The hunting calendar for the 2020/2021 season for the islands of Santa Maria, São Miguel, Terceira, Graciosa, São Jorge, Faial, Pico and Flores “are the result of listening to hunters, farmers, environmentalists and forestry organizations, reflecting the consensus reached between all the parties involved in this process “, explained the Azorean executive.
Azores Airlines resumes internal flights today
Azores Airlines, of the SATA group, resumed this Wednesday the international air connections with four destinations, an operation interrupted since March 22 in the wake of the covid-19 pandemic , said a source of the airline.
In a statement sent to the Lusa agency, the company said that it “resumes” from today “its flights with Boston (United States of America), where a large number of Azorean emigrants reside, Toronto (Canada), Frankfurt (Germany) and, “later, in August, Cape Verde”.
Azores Airlines’ resumption schedule for international flights includes five calls a week in July and October and seven calls in August and September to Boston, five flights a week to Toronto and twice a week to Frankfurt, the company told Lusa.

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