The government gave the green light last Friday to the third phase of lockdown exit, but some restrictions will remain in Lisbon due to localised outbreaks in industrial hubs and outskirts. From June 1, shopping malls, childcare centres, gyms, cinemas, theatres and other cultural venues can reopen across most of the country, but with capacity restrictions.
Local environmental citizenship group “The Last Window to the Sea” has revealed that they “will not tone down” their opposition to a project that foresees the construction of three hotels clustered in Ponta de João de Arens, in Portimão, which is under public consultation.
The National Republican Guard (GNR) today announced that they will be doubling down on the inspection of forest land following the end of the government-defined land clearing period, which was previously extended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, threatening fines of between 280 and 120,000 euros.
Portugal’s once-booming tourism sector collapsed in April as lockdowns to contain the spread of the coronavirus grounded flights and kept visitors from the country’s largest market, Britain, away. The National Statistics Institute (INE) said in its flash estimate on Friday the number of overnight stays by foreign tourists in Portugal dropped 98.3% to nearly 71,000 last month from the previous year.
The PSD wants the Government to review the legal framework in order to protect certain regions most sought after by motorhome tourists visiting the region, such as the Algarve’s Costa Vicentina and Southwest Alentejo.
Just when Portugal was getting its public finances back in shape, the coronavirus crisis has meant the economy is now on track for a spending deficit of 6.5% in 2020.
An illegally trafficked monkey, three exotic birds and illegal weapons were seized in Quarteira by the GNR this week. Two men, father and son, were taken into custody.
The maximum capacity of beaches in the Algarve, as a preventive measure against the spread of COVID-19, may vary between 15 people at Praia da Marinha, in Lagoa - 20 at low tide - and 12600 at the beaches of Faro and Montegordo.
