What you don’t need to know about COVID foreign travel

For those who are utterly confused or bored by the international travel rules due to the COVID pandemic, the good news is that from 4.0 am on Wednesday 30th June Brits can go to more green list countries, including the tiny Pitcairn Islands situated in the middle of the vast South Pacific Ocean. Or they can go to the British Antarctic Territory, an enormous frozen wilderness that stretches from an iceberg-strewn coastline to the South Pole.

Travellers will not have to quarantine upon returning to the UK from these green list countries, although those who have been to the Antarctic might want to spent a couple of weeks sitting at home in front of a warm fireplace.

The bad news is that easyJet don’t run low-cost flights to the Pitcairns, which at last count had a total population of 67. Nor does Ryanair fly to the Antarctica Territory, which has no native inhabitants and only about 250 researchers and support staff.

 The very much more accessible and attractive Portuguese island region of Madeira is now also on the green list, although very strangely the Azores archipelago is on amber along with mainland Portugal. 

One of the few things the British government has made clear is that the likes of Madeira are on a green “watch” list, meaning they could suddenly be downgraded to amber. Such an outrageous U-turn forced many Brits to cut short visits to Portugal in early June and go scrambling home at great inconvenience and extra cost to avoid quarantine. 

Many of Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s critics say he is both a buffoon and bonkers because instead of following the science as he claims, he is following his own dodgy political agenda. Portugal's minister of foreign affairs described one of Johnson's decisions regarding air travel as "absurd" and "illogical."

The UK government’s handling of overseas travel during the pandemic continues to infuriate economically battered airlines, tour operators, the great many businesses in Portugal and elsewhere dependent on tourism, as well as fully vaccinated Brits longing to join loved-ones abroad.

Plenty of frustrated people who have been under tight restrictions for months are desperate to get away. Sadly, the coronaviris pandemic is not going away, not anytime soon anyway.

As in the UK, citizens across the European Union are being advised to grab a jab. EU countries have also agreed a coordinated approach to international travel.

The Portuguese government says it is taking “all necessary public health measures to protect the entire population as well as visitors.”

Essential and non-essential travel is allowed on flights to and from all EU member states, Schengen associated counties, and a number of more distant nations including the United States, the United Kingdom, Israel, Thailand, Australia, New Zealand and Japan.

The usual tests are required 72 or 48 hours before flights. Children under the age of 12 do not require test results, and from 1st July an EU digital COVID certificate will be acceptable from all EU travellers.

European countries, particularly Germany, have voiced concerns about welcoming British visitors as the prevalence of the so-called Delta variant rises and spreads. Even in the Algarve, some of the recent rising COVID cases have been attributed to foreign visitors.

From a British or EU traveller’s perspective, popping over to Pitcairn or Antarctica may be tempting, but a more relaxed visit to green Madeira, or even the amber Azores or mainland Portugal, are probably a better option.   

Madeira

The dark side of ‘green list’ travel

Faro Airport departure area on Sunday 

Photo by Tonia Christensen

 

Many British visitors to Portugal are counting the cost of having to rush home early amid the chaos created by the British Government’s sudden U-turn on its ‘green list’ travel arrangement.

 

Among them is Tonia Christensen, who came to the Algarve, not to enjoy a getaway sunshine holiday, but to visit at long last her elderly mother who has dementia.

 

“I was last able to visit my mother in September 2020. I planned to do so in January and again in March this year, but easyJet cancelled the two-way flights both times because of the COVID travel ban,” said Tonia.

 

“I booked again with easyJet as soon as it was announced that Portugal was on the new ‘green list’ when Britain lifted its overseas ban on May 17.”

 

Never mind that the cost of flights immediately soared, daughter and mother were desperate to see each other. Tonia, who had been fully vaccinated, as was her mother, resigned from a London university-based job to make the one-week trip.

 

The required PCR test before her departure last Friday would have cost £175 in Wimbledon, in the closest test centre to her home, so she made the one hour journey to Croydon where the cost was £80.

 

Shortly before she was about to fly from London Gatwick to Faro, the British Government suddenly downgraded Portugal to the ‘amber list.’ That meant Tonia would have to quarantine for 10 days upon returning home. That would not be possible because she had agreed to take up another sensitive job in London shortly after her one-week Algarve visit.

 

She had no practical choice other than to reschedule her return flight to Sunday. The airline said no seats were available on Monday. No refund on the original return flight was available, so she had to pay again in full for the rescheduled Sunday flight.

 

Now she would only be able to see her mother for one full day instead of a week.

 

The flight was not full but there was an hour’s wait in line at Faro for a previously-booked hire car. The receptionist mentioned without apology that the car’s fuel tank was empty. That might have been a concern for first-time visitors, but Tonia speaks Portuguese and is familiar with the whereabouts of local petrol stations.

 

The joy of getting together with her mother again was wonderful, but severely dented when amid all the COVID restriction confusion Tonia realised she would have to take a lateral flow COVID test before flying home, as well as a PCR test within 72 hours of arrival in London.

 

By the time she had emerged from Faro airport with a car last Friday evening, the test centres in various Algarve localities were already closed for the weekend. All phone calls to test centres went unanswered.

 

Local newspaper reports warned that long queues for COVID testing at Faro airport meant that passengers had to wait for hours and in some cases missed their outgoing flights in doing so.

Even though lateral flow testing is supposed to be rapid, the reported long queues were confirmed in a phone call eventually answered by a very busy COVID centre official at the airport. The cost would be €30. 

 

Tonia’s only option then was to leave her mother on Sunday morning, hours earlier than planned, in order to be sure to get a test and not miss her flight home before the 4.00 am Tuesday June 8 deadline. 

 

Her flight back, as were many others from Faro, was delayed by frustrated and confused queuing crowds. 

 

“I sat on the plane on the tarmac for more than one and a half hours, surrounded by tired screaming children. We were waiting for passengers who had been unable to get through the check-in on time. The Captain informed us that he had been instructed by easyJet to wait for all the remaining passengers.”

 

That wasn’t the end of the chaos, explained Tonia. 

 

“Immigration at London Gatwick wouldn’t let me through because I hadn’t previously booked my second day PCR COVID test. I had to agree to and pay on the spot for a government home test before being allowed to proceed. That was another £88. Total cost just for testing: nearly £200.

 

“All this despite filling in passenger location cards for both the Portuguese and UK authorities so they knew exactly where I was!”

 

She was back in London, but the travel nightmare wasn’t quite over yet. There were no trains running into the city from Gatwick. In all, returning  home from Portugal turned out to be a 12-hour trip!

 

Meanwhile, responding to Portugal having been taken off the green travel list, top Portuguese health officials insisted that the British Government’s claims about increased rates of COVID infections and the prevalence of the Nepal mutation in Portugal were based on misinformation or lies. 

 

Tourism 2021 off to a good start

 

Tourism 2021 has started well in Portugal, particularly in the Algarve where it’s economically vital.

Things are looking good for June, on into July and well beyond.

For the last two weeks of May following the easing of lockdowns and travel bans, visitors from abroad have been enjoying themselves in the warm sunshine. Many tourist-orientated businesses have reopened, many jobs revitalised and the economy in general is on the way to recovery.

“We are off to a strong start and the numbers for June could be close to the numbers pre-COVID, if not exceeding them,” Daniel de Adro, vice-president of the Algarve Regional Tourism Board, told the UK magazine Travel Weekly.  

The Algarve is now in a good position to dismiss 2020, “the lost year,” he added.

UK visitor numbers in the Algarve, which normally represent half of all airport arrivals to the region, fell by 85% last year compared to 2019. International arrivals at Faro airport dropped overall by 74%.

While it may be an exaggeration to say that holiday demand for the region suddenly “exploded” on being placed on the “green list” by England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, it certainly gave Portugal plenty of exposure.

Among the first UK arrivals in May were singing superstar Rod Stewart (76) and his wife Penny Lancaster. They hired a private jet to bring them here. They shared their joy of staying at the luxurious Vila Vita resort in Porches, Lagoa, on Instagram. News of their visit, together with photographs of the couple languishing in beautiful surroundings, were then published in the Daily Mail newspaper.

Things could be better, of course, especially for hotels in Portugal that have not yet been able to properly prepare to take advantage of the increase in the numbers of bookings that for open hotels have   exceeded expectations. Some hotels that have been at a standstill for a year and a half will not be ready to reopen until later in June.

The full operation of the hotels is "dependent on the stability of the markets that send tourists, particularly the British and the domestic market that may be affected by a possible setback caused by the pandemic, " Elidérico Viegas president of the Association of Hotels and Tourist Enterprises in the Algarve (AHETA) told the Portuguese Lusa news agency.

“If these factors continue, we can expect that this summer will be much better than last year and hope that in September, with the start of the high golf season, demand will be close to normal,” he said.

“If this growth outlook is met, the region will be able to prepare itself for “a year of some recovery in 2022.” As for 2023, there are expectations “of a return to almost normality.” 

Elidérico Viegas added. “The mass vaccination of the Algarve’s population is the best way of guaranteeing the safety of people who want to choose the Algarve as their destination."

Portugal is accelerating its vaccination rollout nationwide with 30-year-olds starting on June 6 and 40-year-olds from June 20. The health authorities are also ramping up testing, targeting schools, vulnerable populations like asylum seekers, and crowded areas such as central train stations in Lisbon.

Pharmacies in Lisbon already offer a free antigen test every 15 days. “We must act in a preventative, proactive manner, to break chains of transmission,” Health Secretary  Lacerda Sales said.

Portugal has been lifting restrictions in a step-by-step loosening of the rules underway since April after four months of stringent lockdown.

While cases have since remained relatively stable nationwide at around 300 to 600 new cases per day, Lisbon saw a steeper rise in May, particularly among young adults, the health secretary said.

It came as no surprise that many of the thousands of football supporters who descended on the northern city of Porto for the Chelsea vs Manchester City UEFA Champions League Final indulged in the region’s best known commodity. Regardless of the excellence of Douro Valley wines, the sheer quantities consumed by many fans created enthusiasm that at times was somewhat excessive but didn’t call for much police intervention.

A potentially much more damaging event was a threatened strike by the airports and border security police force, SEF. It could have severely disrupted inbound and outbound visitors, but the strike has been abandoned.

Meanwhile Portugal’s economic recovery has been fast and strong since the country started easing its COVID-19 lockdown in mid-March, Economy Minister Pedro Siza Vieira told Reuters.   Growth this year may exceed the government’s forecast of 4%, he said.

The economy slumped by 7.6% last year. The government predicted in April this year that the economy would grow 4% in 2021.

“We are envisaging more favourable growth,” Siza Vieira said, pointing to the ongoing resumption of tourism as a significant factor. Tourism accounted for nearly 15% of gross domestic product before the pandemic.

 

Coping with dementia: protection

Generally speaking, people over the age of 18 are able to exercise their rights personally and freely, fulfill their obligations and look after their assets themselves.

However, there are citizens who, for a variety of reasons cannot consciously and freely exercise these functions without the support or intervention of another person. The Lei do Maior Acompanhado regime is intended precisely for the latter. The law’s aim is to preserve the independence that the person still has and, as far as possible, to increase it. In this sense, a court, after examining all the evidence provided at a hearing and with reference to medical information, will decide which actions the individual can and must continue to practice freely and those which, for their own protection, must be carried out by or with the help of an accompanying person. There are certain acts that the accompanying person may only perform after obtaining the court's specific authorisation.

Living Wills

Living wills and other advance directives are written, legal instructions regarding your preferences for medical care if you are unable to make decisions for yourself. Advance directives guide choices for doctors and caregivers if you are in the late stages of dementia, terminally ill, seriously injured, in a coma, or near the end of life. Living wills have no power after death.

Advance directives are not just for older adults. Unexpected end of life situations can occur at any age, therefore it is important for all adults to prepare these documents.

By planning ahead, you can obtain the medical care you specifically want, avoid unnecessary suffering and relieve caregivers of decision-making burdens during moments of crisis or grief. You also help reduce confusion or disagreement about the choices you would want people to make on your behalf.

I’m here!

"Estou Aqui" bracelets are specially designed for people who, depending on their age or pathology, may become disorientated or unconscious, even momentarily, when in public. The bracelets are designed to assist in safety and to ensure a speedy reunion with a relative or acquaintance. Activation can be made by the user themselves or by a third party through the option “request Institution / Carer”.

The bracelet is made up of a comfortable fabric tape and a metal plate with an alphanumeric code and the inscription; "Call/Ligue 112". The bracelet is free, personal and non-transferable. To obtain a bracelet you must register on the website and then go to the designated police station to collect and activate it.

For more on this: https://estouaquiadultos.mai.gov.pt/Pages/Home.htm



ALZHEIMER’S PORTUGAL

The information in Portugal Newswatch’s three special reports this week has been provided by Alzheimer’s Portugal, a national, non-profit organization dedicated to giving advice to people with any form of dementia, members of their families and carers.

The organisation’s official website: https://alzheimerportugal.org/pt/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/alzheimerportugal.org

Alzheimer’s Portugal has offices backed by municipalities in many parts of the country. Face-to-face consultations with specialists can be arranged by appointment: 

https://alzheimerportugal.org/pt/onde-estamos

Coping with dementia: communicating

 

In this, the second in a three-part series based on information provided by the Associação Alzheimer’s Portugal, we look at the fundamental importance of communication between those with dementia and those closest to them.

Due to the gradual progression of dementia, communication problems can arise and lead to frustration, confusion and sometimes even anger. 

The needs and desires of the person with dementia may not be satisfied and their behaviour may be misunderstood by others. Those with dementia may begin to feel more isolated. Failure to communicate properly can cause them embarrassment, especially if those close to them draw attention to their mistakes.

It’s not uncommon for people with dementia to start using a less complex style of language. They may use shorter sentences or a limited vocabulary. They may talk less and ultimately not talk at all. 

Some ways to make verbal communication easier: 

- Try to have a positive attitude. 

- Sit facing the person with dementia and try to encourage them to talk. 

- Try to understand the feeling they express. 

- Avoid drawing too much attention to their shortcomings. 

- Give your support. 

- Adapt your language style and tone of voice without sounding artificial. 

- Make sure there are no physical problems affecting communication, such as a lack of hearing or sight. 

- Ask closed questions and give only two options (e.g. instead of, "What shirt do you want to wear?", use "Do you want to wear this shirt or this one?”) 

- Give only short, objective instructions at a time. 

 

Non-verbal communication 

and physical contact 

As verbal communication becomes more difficult, it may be easier to switch to non-verbal communication, focusing on tone of voice, eye contact, facial expression, posture, sign language and physical contact. 

If using non-verbal communication when talking to the person with dementia:

- Always try to communicate at the person's eye level.

- Try to maintain eye contact.

 - Make sure you are not giving confusing messages. 

- Try to understand the body language of the person with dementia.

- Transmit security and support through physical contact such as touching hands. 

Keep in mind that as the illness progresses, many skills are lost and some are maintained. The person with dementia may still preserve their sense of touch and hearing, as well as their ability to respond to emotion. 

Its important for a person with dementia to have something to occupy them so that their brain is stimulated. This also helps to control some symptoms of the disease, such as agitation. 

It’s also important that those with dementia, accompanied by their nearest and dearest, should be regularly checked by their specialist doctor who could be a neurologist or a psychiatrist. The medications prescribed by specialists can help to control the symptoms of the disease and slow its progress.

 

 Portugal Newswatch this Saturday:  legal help for those with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia

 

Follow PORTUGAL NEWSWATCH by emai (see top right).

Coping with dementia: overview

 

 

Dementia, the most prevalent form of which is Alzheimer’s, is a condition affecting about 50 million people worldwide, with around 10 million new cases reported each year. This, the first in a three-part series, is based on information provided by the Associação Alzheimer’s Portugal, which is devoted to helping those with the illness and those close to them.

 

Alzheimer's is a neurodegenerative disease that slowly and progressively destroys brain cells. The disease affects memory and mental functioning, such as thought and speech. It often leads to other problems such as confusion, mood swings and disorientation in time and space.

 

At first, the symptoms may be slight and go unnoticed by the family or others. As the disease progresses, however, the symptoms become more and more noticeable. Memory loss is one of the most important.

 

Especially at an early stage, a person with dementia may try to hide some of the consequences of memory loss out of embarrassment or shame. Later, they may no longer be aware of memory problems and their shortcomings. 

 

It is normal for a person with dementia to ask repetitive questions. Since their recent memory is more affected, we should try to maintain a positive attitude with much patience. Try to answer as if the person were asking us the question for the first time. When we tire of answering the same question, one strategy to adopt is to divert the person's attention to something else, or to occupy them in some other way. 

 

In coping with memory loss: 

- Try to maintain a positive attitude and foster calm. 

- Do not take the behaviour to heart. 

- Avoid drawing too much attention to mistakes and problems. 

 

Problems due to memory loss can be avoided by creating routines with things at home and then not making unnecessary changes. 

 

As the disease progresses, people with dementia need more assistance for their personal hygiene. They may lose the ability to use objects such as combs and toothbrushes.  They may also forget what these objects are, and more importantly, what their purpose is.

 

They may forget there is a task to be done, have the impression that they have already done it, or lose interest in keeping everything clean and looking good.  

 

The fact that a person needs more help does not necessarily mean that he or she will enjoy receiving it. The person may resent being dependent on you and feel that their privacy is being invaded. 

 

It is very important to encourage independence. We must support and help the person with dementia in their daily activities, but we must not replace them and do things for them unnecessarily. It is important that the person with dementia performs tasks if possible even if it takes longer. Anything that the person fails to do or practice will soon be forgotten or the ability lost. 

 

There are various ways of providing assistance depending on the level of understanding and capacity of the person with dementia. For example, you can let the person wash themselves, providing just a little help when necessary, or you can explain or demonstrate, step by step, what to do. 

 

One idea would be to prepare everything first - such as a clean change of clothes, run the bath water, preheat the bathroom, arrange the towels, shampoo and soap -  and then leave them to wash themselves if this is possible.

 

Later this week: dementia communication and legalities.

Portugal Newswatch – follow by emai (see top right).

Green light for English tourists

The Azores and Madeira along with mainland Portugal have been officially given the green light by the British government for holiday visits when England lifts its overseas travel ban on May 17. 

Only 12 countries worldwide, most of them distant, have been included in the least restrictive category on the UK’s so-called green, amber and red ‘traffic light system’.

The announcement has come as a huge relief to the vital Portuguese tourism sector that has long been at a standstill because of the COVID-19 international lockdowns.

Portugal and the autonomous regions are considered COVID ‘low risk’ and thus among the safest destinations.

The only other green list places on relative short flight routes from the UK are Gibraltar, Iceland, the Faroe Islands and Israel. The rest, including Australia and New Zealand are in the far south.

Spain, Italy, France and the United States, all hugely popular destinations, are among the many countries left off the green list. They are considered higher risk and rated amber.

As Portugal is the first Mediterranean destination to make it on to the green list, the number of flight and accommodation bookings immediately began to surge.

For now, the new arrangement only applies to England. The arrangement will be reviewed every three weeks. Decisions on overseas travel from other parts of the United Kingdom are expected soon

Travellers to green list countries will have to take two COVID tests, before leaving and one within two days of returning, but if the tests prove negative, travellers will not have to quarantine. Those returning from amber list countries will have to self-isolate.

On the downside of all this, airlines and travel agencies say the traffic light system is over-cautious and more countries should be on the green list. It has also been pointed out that holidaying prices could considerably increase and passengers are likely to face delays at airports because of extra COVID paperwork checking.

 UK transport minister Grant Shapps said on Friday: “Today marks our first step in our cautious return to international travel, with measures designed above all else to protect public health and ensure we don’t throw away the hard fought gains we’ve all strived to earn this year.”