WEDNESDAY BRIEFING

Behind this week’s headlines

COVID mask use finished

The wearing of COVID facemasks is no longer mandatory in health centres, including hospitals, clinics and homes for the elderly. The end of this necessity came into affect on Tuesday this week with an official announcement from the government.  The wearing of masks came into force in the early days of the pandemic and ended on public transport and community pharmacies last August.  

 

Counterfeit currency

It has just been reported that the Bank of Portugal withdrew more than 10,700 counterfeit euro banknotes with a face value of nearly €470,00o last year. It also withdrew well over 2,000 fake euro coins. These are only tiny fractions of the true money in circulation. Euro banknotes and coins incorporate sophisticated safety features making them among the most difficult currency to counterfeit in the world.

 

‘Typical.’ Scottish visitors

Former leader of the Scottish National Party Nicola Sturgeon and her husband Peter Murrell are just "typical Scottish tourists" when they visit their idyllic holiday home in the Algarve, according to neighbours. The couple have spent their summers here for several years, but the villa near Albufeira has been thrust into the media spotlight in recent weeks due to police investigations into the SNP's finances. The two-bedroom property in an exclusive gated complex is co-owned by Mr Murrell and his sister, Lynn. It previously belonged to their parents.

 

Inflation still dropping

Portugal’s finance minister said on Monday that inflation should drop significantly from this month onwards. He anticipated an inflation rate below 5.1% in the second half of this year. The government believes the main risks to the economy are of an external nature, but points to internal forces that could mitigate possible negative impacts.

 

High pollination level

Those with an allergy problem have been warned of the high level of pollination in the air this week. While much pollen is happily spread by insects, birds or mammals, wind and no rain cause sneezing, runny noses and sore throats for a lot oF people. Best advice: stay indoors until late afternoon and keep windows closed.

 

World Youth Day

The mayor of Lisbon has given his assurance that the local authorities will be well prepared for the needs that may arise during the World Youth Day event in August. Pope Francis is scheduled to join tens of thousands of young people from around the world for the celebrations between 1 and 6 August. There will be massive demand for accommodation in the capital’s 2,700 hotels. There is plenty of online information about hotel availability and costs.