SCP Newsletter – New State of Emergency law, KissFM radio, Flight ban Portugal to UK

Portugal´s only registered non-profit crime prevention and civil protection association providing dedicated information and support services to the community

Newsletter - January 15th 2021

Welcome

Just after we published our last newsletter yesterday, government published Decree Law 3A/2021, with the new State of Emergency until 23:59 hrs 30^th January 2021.

This provides more details concerning the new measures, including the exemptions that are now in place, should it be necessary to leave home. The key message is however STAY AT HOME unless your journey is necessary.

David Thomas, MBE

President

Safe Communities Portugal

In addition to that, KissFm kindly asked me to deliver a message on KissFm radio this morning concerning Covid-19. In case you were unable to tune in at that time I have included in this newsletter the text of what I said, in order to convey the importance of following the rules in place.

Thirdly, the Government in the UK have banned direct flights from Portugal as at 04:00 hrs today 15^th January 2021 and we have included this important information as well.

Have a Safe Day

David Thomas

President, Safe Communities Portugal

Editors Note:

Thank you to David, and the rest of the team, for getting this information out so quickly and clearly.

There is a lot of detail to absorb so I urge everyone to please read all of the information provided before asking questions or entering into random discussions, particularly on our Facebook page.

Thank you.

Stay Safe

Jennie Kelly, Newsletter Editor

Decree 3A/2021 State of Emergency

The Decree law has now been published and the DRE translation is in the link below:

We have read through this and would draw your attention to the following Articles:

Article 4 - Duty to remain at home and exceptions

Article 5 - Working from home

Article 15 - Suspension of activities and establishments (Details of exceptions - what is open - Annex 11 and what is closed Annex 1)

Article 21- Restaurants and the like

Article 28 - Private vehicles.

Borders remain open and so do airports. Measure are very similar to those in place to the State of Emergency in March/April.

Decree in informal English translation here:

Original Portuguese here:

What is Open and what is Closed Download here:

Article 4 Stay at Home Exceptions here:

KissFm message from David Thomas

“The new State of Emergency law is now in force until 23:59 hours 30^th January.

This is a return to general confinement, similar to that we experienced in March and April. There is a clear “stay at home” message here, but with some exemptions. This replaces the four different tiers of restrictions that have been in place for some two months. Instead, there is one set of general measures applicable to all municipalities on the mainland.

The important message now, however, is to STAY AT HOME unless your journey is really necessary and in accordance with what is allowed under the law. Our mind set should be to focus on the rules, NOT the exemptions. Our lifestyles will change as a result of this – if they do not, then we are failing to comply with these measures.

The Covid-19 situation, at present, is far more serious than it was in March and April. We are in a health crisis and we all need to understand the gravity of the situation. Unless everyone strictly complies with the rules, we will not beat this disease and the situation will get far worse, as forecast by experts.

The entire SNS hospital system is now at maximum contingency level. In order to avoid overwhelming the health care system, we must therefore help all the doctors and nurses, in other words the front line, by following the rules.

Ensure social distancing, undertake hygiene, avoid gatherings, wear face masks and be aware of the risks and how to reduce these.”

Thank you to KissFm.

Updated Travel advice Portugal

The Foreign Commonwealth and Development office have updated their travel Advice for Portugal yesterday, 14^th January. It states:

“The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advises against all but essential travel to mainland Portugal, including the autonomous regions of Madeira and Azores, based on the current assessment of Covid-19 risks”

“From 4am on 15th January, direct flights from Portugal (including the autonomous regions of Madeira and Azores) to the UK are prohibited. Visitors who have been in or transited through Portugal (including the autonomous regions of Madeira and Azores) in the previous 10 days cannot enter the UK.

British and Irish nationals, and third country nationals with residence rights in the UK arriving in the UK from the autonomous regions of Madeira and Azores on or after 4am on 15th January, will need to self-isolate along with their households on their return.

British and Irish nationals, and third country nationals with residence rights in the UK arriving in the UK from mainland Portugal will need to self-isolate along with their households on their return. Check the latest guidance for England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.”

“Hauliers who have departed from or transited through Portugal in the last 10 days will not be subject to these measures”.

Read the full details here:

Thank You

I thank our volunteer team members, who are involved with the Covid-19 work namely: Clare, Daniel, Elise, Eliana, Fernanda, Jane, Jennie, Jenny, Louise, Mike, and Sven, plus our key players who help keep the association running: Carlos, Colin, Jim, Lilia, Peter and Raoul.

Stay Safe everyone.

David Thomas

President

Safe Communities Portugal

A Reminder - Social distancing, hygiene and the wearing of face masks are the best ways to prevent the spread of the disease.

If you know others who would like to obtain our newsletter free of charge click here

Lastly we thank all our sponsors (listed at the end of this newsletter) who help keep Safe Communities going and developing.

David Thomas

President

Safe Communities Portugal

Volunteers needed to help our team with Covid-19

Monitor the news in Portugal and give us reports. Would you like to help us?

SCP can only publish correct and confirmed information. This means that we have great demands on both our sources and our volunteers.

Lastly we are looking for volunteers who have experience in either analysis or research type work who are used to valuing news and facts, to supplement our team during this period of crisis.

Precisely we need help in supplementing our team providing short daily situation reports for events happening in Portugal

You must also be able to write good English. If you feel you are the right person and want to contribute under Covid-19, send us a message here please with a brief description of your experience.

Together we can help keep the community in Portugal up to date!

IF YOU ARE PLEASED WITH OUR SERVICES PLEASE MAKE A DONATION

During the coronavirus our team of volunteers have worked 7 days a week to provide you with the best news and advice.

We do not receive or expect payment of these services as that is the nature of our work as a non-profit volunteer association

However we have incurred extra costs through upgrades to website, translation work, printing and administrative costs for example.

Your generosity by making a donation to help maintain and further develop the work of the association and thereby help keep Portugal a safe place to live and visit would be appreciated. Any amount helps.

Three ways to make a donation Please visit our donation page here with all the details and how money is spent

Paypal - If you would like to make a donation through Paypal please visit our donation page and click on the "Paypal donate" button.

By cheque - If you wish to donate by cheque the bank account name is "Associacao SCP Safe Communities Portugal" and cheques can be posted to Caixa 207-Z, Alfontes, Boliqueime, 8100-062, Algarve.

By interbank transfer - If you wish to donate through inter- bank transfer please use the same name with the following account details NIB 0033 0000 4542 9864 44705.

All donations should be marked "Donation for crime prevention". Thank you.

How your friends can obtain up to date Crime Prevention advice

Please pass on details of Safe Communities Portugal to neighbours and friends so they to can benefit from the up to date crime prevention advice. Simply ask them to click on this link to obtain the latest newsletter: This is a free service.

David Thomas, MBE

President

Safe Communities Portugal

15th January 2021