Albuquerque keeps the mask and curfew in Madeira because he doesn’t believe in “Father Christmas”

Tobi Hughes·
Madeira News

The prime minister announced that there are moments that the measures in the scope of the covid-19 pandemic will have a national dimension, with restrictions no longer existing depending on the situation in each municipality. António Costa predicts that, in September, the use of a mask will no longer be mandatory on the mainland.

A relaxation that should not have an effect on Madeira. Miguel Albuquerque, confronted by Diário Notícias with the measures announced by the prime minister, was clear: “I have nothing to comment, because we are not going to change anything”.

The President of the Regional Government ensures that the measures to prevent the pandemic will not change, with the state of calamity being renewed with the use of mask and curfew at 1:00. The closing of establishments remains at 0:00.

At the moment, the Region is “recovering well in tourism”, with a “floating population of around 37,000 people”, which does not allow taking risks.

The measures imposed by the Regional Government, he recalls, were always taken taking into account the “population characteristics” and the very orography of the Region, and have given results.

“We don’t believe in Santa Claus, we are realistic”, says Miguel Albuquerque, who does not admit to making the measures more flexible, at a time when there are “so many people coming in” and recalls that “even those who are vaccinated can transmit the disease”.

“We will keep these measures that have worked well, we have nothing to change”, he assures.

Until September, he only promises that the situation will be analyzed, “as before”, always “within reason” and never according to what will be decided on the continent.

From Diário Notícias

Previous Article16 CASES WERE REGISTERED IN THE LAST 24 HOURS IN MADEIRA
Next ArticleFriday Foto
Tobi Hughes

31 Responses

  2. Exactly, the police have done nothing from the beginning. But many people can’t see this including Mr Albuquerque.

    1. 3 people in hospital with Covid in Madeira. Give those police man some guns so that people comply the rules. These people are so misbehaved. There should be 0 people in hospital, not the horrendus number of 3.

  3. Doesn’t believe in Father Christmas? Really? Why not? How about Noah’s ark?

  4. I agree with the observation that people are not wearing mask. I check the webcams everyday and observe the local people wear mask, but the tourist seem to leave their brains at home when the go on vacation and are not masking up. Aren’t there signs at the airport informing travelers that mask are required? Hawaii has signage at the airports and at the hotels, but again, people on vacation think that they don’t have to follow any safety precautions. Law enforcement agencies need to step up to the plate and inform non mask wearers to put one on, then slap them up along side the head for being stupid.

    1. To Vince. I had the great pleasure of two weeks in Madeira, returning on the 19th. I can assure you that all the local people do not wear masks while living their daily life. Rather like the UK and most countries that are not military dictatorships, some do, some don’t. Rather than live life through a camera lens, shop at Pingo Doce and see how many locals take off their mask on leaving the shop. The only certain advantage I can see to the wearing of masks is that removes the need for some of our correspondents to think of any other subject.

  5. Why should I wear mask outside in non-crowded places if can keep the distance and if it is not mandatory to wear a mask? It is useless to wear masks outside.

  6. We have just come back from a week in Guernsey, we had to wear the mask at Southampton Airport on the plane also but immediately we got in the taxi to take us to the hotel the unmasked driver said we could ditch our masks whilst on the island. During the week we were there in the hotel in shops and in town we did not see one person wearing a mask. Guernsey’s covid cases per capita are and have been similar to Madeira, they too need the tourists.Also with the music festival on at the time there was no social distancing indoors or out.

  7. Not sure that the police could legally ‘slap people up along side the head’ for not wearing a mask. There should be exceptions for some ‘stupid’ people though…..?

  8. So who is right – Tobi Hugh who says we don’t need masks and Mr. Albuqueque who says we do?
    By the way have any of the readers here heard of the Delta variant and how transmissible it is?
    Even double vaccinated people can spread it. You can catch it by just breathing in the air from someone standing next to you. It’s mindblowing that some people don’t wear masks when other people are close by. Pure selfishness and not caring about other people.
    Other countries in Europe (and the world) seem to be enforcing mask wearing.

    1. ” By the way have any of the readers here heard of the Delta variant and how transmissible it is?
      Even double vaccinated people can spread it. You can catch it by just breathing in the air from someone standing next to you.”

      Just the same as you can catch that quaint old thing called the common cold and other diseases. What would you like to see, permanent mask wearing, non contact of people. Despite the vaccine this thing is not going to go away, You want us to live under your conditions for ever, because what you suggest isn’t a cure.

      1. Even then, it’s still best to take precautions against COVID. Even if it’s impossible to completely prevent it from spreading, wearing a mask, socially distancing yourself and getting the vaccine definitely goes a long way.
        Along with that, COVID, especially the more recent variants from what I’ve heard, can definitely be a lot more damaging than just the common cold.

    2. “you can catch it by just breathing in the air from someone standing next to you.”

      Richard, do you have any sources for that sentence? I am interested to learn if that’s actually howo delta works?

    3. Like it’s been said a thousand times and you obviously haven’t seen it, if you can social distance you don’t need to wear a mask, it’s almost impossible catching the virus passing someone outside, I side we wear them. I don’t know what your problem is, are you actually in the island and seen how well we are doing. At the end of the day, everyone will nerd to catch this virus at done point, like cold, flu, being sick, stomach bugs…… and so on…

  9. Nonsense and sensational scaremongering. Check the science on mask wearing. Yes, it is important inside in crowded situations alongside other measures such as ventilation and should be enforced. Outside, where social distancing can be adhered to it is completely pointless and potentially leads to non compliance in situations where they should be worn. As for the comment about police, guns and enforcement. If you think this is necessary, effective or deliverable you obviously want to see the end of tourism in Madeira.

  10. It may be down to everyone to say politely to people who are seen not wearing masks PLEASE wear your mask
    or if a language problem just show them your mask
    It is correct about the Police not doing anything , I spoke to a Policeman about the dogs laying in the roads in Funchal
    I was told then go and report it

    1. I’m sure there are correspondents on here who would agree with you but I would never think of forcing my opinions on you, unasked and I would prefer it if you did the same.

      1. Assume you were replying to my post. I would like to reply, would you be a little more precise.

  11. … Wow ,, Watching webcams for “Non compliance” of a law that doesn’t exist ?? ,, Informing Police of dogs laying I the street ?? (( Get a Grip )) …

  12. Pingback: Albuquerque keeps the mask and curfew in Madeira because he doesn't believe in "Father Christmas" - My WordPress

  13. Get real George, if you spout nonsense on a public forum expect to be called out for it.

    1. Simon, I don’t mind being called out for it, that’s why you join in public forums. But it would help if I knew what I was being called out for.

  14. George, my apologies. Now I have read your post properly I see your initial statement was a quote that you then went on correctly to challenge. I will read properly next time before I act like a keyboard warrior.

    1. Simon, thank you. Since Covid the Public Forum is the alternative to the Pub.

  15. I live in Sintra Vilage and independent what people think I still and I will continue using the mask and flowing the rules . And since I ‘m going to Madeira visiting my mother I will be using the mask inside and outside in public places . If people don’t want to use the masks or even not respect the rules it is up to them if they get covid19 .

  16. Israel, its the other people who suffer as a result of no masks being worn. Respect for other people space is required by all.
    There are many none believers, but the common sense policy by many countries is masks reduce the spread of the virus.
    Better safe than sorry, so many tourists now and no common sense.

  17. Every comment I wrote here has failed at the first hurdle to stick. The gist was that Long covid is the bugger. It remains devoid of a foothold in the minds of the hard of thinking. Discuss and wriggle out of it.

Comments are closed.

© 2023 Madeira Island News | Privacy Policy