Workers from the Regional Directorate for Roads today installed an iron barrier across the road connecting Poiso and Pico do Areeiro, in order to prevent people driving up into the mountains during bad weather conditions, i.e. snow. Obviously, the barrier will be raised during normal - good weather, and its installation will enable the police and Forestry police to make more effective use of their resources.
Madeira Weekly
The President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, has accepted an invitation for the Mayor of Santana, Dinarte Fernandes, to visit the parish when it is safe to travel. On hearing the news, the Mayor said "it is, in fact, a source of pride. Above all, it provides an opportunity for us to discuss the various aspects of the parish, as well as feel that we are valued by the Republic of Portugal."
According to a statement from DECO, everyone who agrees with their automatic IRS refund proposal will receive their money much sooner than in previous years. This covers taxpayers covered by the automatic IRS system and who are not required to submit an IRS declaration.
The Ordem dos Farmacêuticos has confirmed that last weekend that staff from 50 Madeiran pharmacies received their first vaccination against Covid-19.
Daily Covid-19 figures as per JM-Madeira
Today's Covid-19 Figures as per JM-Madeira.
Public Security Police (PSP) agents had to enforce the 5.00 pm curfew closing rules to several bars and commercial establishments in Garajau this evening. The problem was that many of the bars and restaurants still had a lot of customers, which made it difficult for them to comply with the closing time.
The Regional Secretary for Health, Pedro Ramos stated yesterday that 10% of the regions population will be vaccinated by the end of March as 51,255 vaccines are expected to arrive in the near future!
The Regional Secretary of Health, Pedro Ramos, has confirmed that from next week two new groups of people will receive their initial Covid-19 vaccination. In addition, to the groups that are already being vaccinated, people aged 80 and over and those aged 50 and over and who suffer from chronic illnesses will join the programme from the 8th of February.
Daily Covid-19 information JM-Madeira
The Regional Government launched a new video today aimed at informing everyone to protect themselves and others by complying with all the health and safety measures in place. This comes at a time when many people are suffering from 'pandemic exhaustion' and beginning to take risks with regards to mask wearing and other health measures.
Due to a slight technical issue we were unable to update yesterday's Covid figures.
While Presenting the 'Madeira Safe to Discover' certificate to Calheta Travel Agency RMK Tours, the Regional Secretary for Culture and Tourism, Eduardo Jesus, stated that he expects tourism to show signs of recovery in the second half of this year, as there will be a holiday 'demand boom' as more and more people are vaccinated and travel restrictions are lifted.
During a meeting at the Assembly of the Republic today, PSD deputy to the Assembly, Paulo Neves, demanded that the Minister of the Environment and the Government of the Republic, include Madeiran as part of the Environmental Fund electricity discount scheme, saying that it was wrong to exclude those living in Madeira and Porto Santo, especially as social confinement has meant an increased demand for electricity.