Boat with seven Moroccan illegal immigrants intercepted off the coast of Ria Formosa

54illegal immigrantA vessel with seven migrants on board was intercepted by the Maritime Police of Faro and Olhão over the weekend, on Saturday, around 12 noon, in the Ria Formosa Natural Park.

‘Irresponsible people must not ruin everything’ defends Algarve council head, warning of 2nd lockdown

53council headDuring the press conference of the District Civil Protection Commission, which took place this morning in Loulé, António Miguel Pina, AMAL president, and José Apolinário stated that the region is fully prepared to receive tourists during the coming summer season, but underline the importance of responsibility and awareness, especially amongst younger visitor.

Algarve beach season begins tomorrow with ‘safety and quality’- what changes?

53beach changesGoing to the beach is regarded as a moment of relaxation, but as of this Saturday, when the bathing season opens, bathers, of the sun and sea alike, will have to follow a set of rules to minimise the spread of COVID-19. Prime Minister António Costa and his wife set foot on a beach this week, setting an example and examining the measures imposed to aid in the safety of the population. Distancing on the beach between people who are not from the same household is the main care to be taken.

Brit tabloid under fire from Portuguese press for ‘distorting epidemiological reality’

53distort realityWith summer at the door, vacations are among the topics that most arouse interest for those who have been confined for three months because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. British tabloid Daily Mail chose to write an article, published yesterday, in which it compares the COVID -19 infection rates per million inhabitants among the main holiday destinations of the English population.

‘Airports ready to resume traffic from the 15th of June’, guarantees Costa

53resume trafficPortuguese airports will be ready to resume air traffic, with some degree of normality, starting on June 15th, guaranteed this Friday morning Prime Minister António Costa. Portugal thus meets the desire expressed a few hours earlier by the European Commission, through the Commissioner for Internal Affairs, Ylva Johansson, who said she had a desire that the free movement space within the European Union (EU), for air, land and sea, become a reality again by the end of the month.

Spanish government announces reopening of border with Portugal (without telling Lisbon)

53border reopeningSpain was forced into a U-turn yesterday after announcing that its borders with Portugal and France were to reopen this month — leading Lisbon to complain that it hadn't been informed.

Madeleine McCann: German prisoner identified as new suspect in disappearance

52maddie investigationA 43-year-old German prisoner who travelled around Portugal in a camper van is now the focus of Scotland Yard's investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann 13 years ago.

Algarve tourism experts predict 30% occupancy over this summer

52tourism experts"Any dialogue you have with travel agents and hoteliers in the Algarve, if we think about June, July, August and September, we will be talking, at best, about 30% occupation or business level" estimated today, Pedro Costa Ferreira, president of the Portuguese Association of Travel and Tourism Agencies (APAVT), during a digital conference.