Checking the covid numbers reported every day at the site below has been a little depressing over the last few days. This site correctly reported the sudden surge in Portimao from the construction workers and in the last few days the number of reported cases has been considerably more than the previous weeks. Albuferia has 10 today, Tavira is reporting 4 to 5 new cases a day which is more than before, Olhao has 14 today and Portimao is still reporting quite high numbers (presumably a roll on from the construction worker). Looks like the trend has swung and is now starting to go the wrong way. I do hope not especially as restrictions are being gently lifted.
Does anyone think this is a result of Easter and people from North coming down for the holiday despite restrictions?

Numbers sadly, have risen everywhere. Although I'm very pleased to say that Ourique hasn't had any new cases for almost three weeks.

With cases not reducing sufficiently and the Brazilian link, added to slow vaccinations, I doubt Portugal will be on Green or Amber UK destination list this year.

The numbers were low over the Easter weekend and there has been a catch-up in reporting which accounts for a relatively large number of cases. But you're right the numbers have increased slightly the last few days. This has been caused mainly (80%+) by the Johnson variant which the UK government failed to control properly in September/October and then failed to adequately notify European countries of its virulence, hence the surge in cases Europe-wide. The Brazilian variant is not yet a significant issue in PT as travel from Brazil as well as the UK is currently banned, although there are exemptions.

Interestingly, PTs 14 day rate per 100k is less than the UKs despite the relatively low overall percentage of people who have received the vaccine. It's worth noting that PTs policy was to vaccinate over 80s as well as emergency workers and teachers as a priority something which the UK government refused to do.

Well my recent experience of 40 people all standing on an outside terrace in midday drinking beer would be one example of people taking no notice (not police) and then last night hearing very loud music and lots of shouting at what was obviously a party going on, at 10pm on evening stroll not far from my house in the country, which I was not about to investigate further.
And of course this is all despite the fact that you should not go out of your area and I am very close to borders on both sides with the sea on the other.

Can't speak about Portugal (not been for a year) but it appears a great many (not all) people in UK "think it's all over"

Sadly I can see case numbers going up here as rules relax and people leave their brains I don't know where.

Not sure where you're getting the Tavira numbers from. The 8 spike is all itinerant farm workers;

As Kenneth Wolstenholme once famously said when England was playing Germany in the World Cup Final...

"They think its all over?"


And the only trouble is... this isn't over yet...

It is these brainless people who are extending the time period of others who have had to remain in their homes for the duration. Not only brainless but also extremely selfish and thoughtless.

Rant over.

Rosemary

I can second that

Here in London very little social distancing

The trouble is, some places, including where I live, have been in lockdown or a high tier, which is as good as lockdown, for months. I totally agree that stricter control of ourselves earlier on might have improved the situation, but people have just had enough. I don't condone some of the behaviour at all, but as restrictions ease, people are just taking a deep breath and looking forward to going out a bit more. If the vaccinations are as good as we hope, most over 50 year-olds have been vaccinated at least once, one would hope that severe illness and death will be very, very low.

Thats just the beginning. It seems clear at the moment that Gov, whilst maybe not stopping travel from mid May, is holding the trump card in that they will be able to move countries from one band to another at a stroke,with changing numbers or variants and that will make it very difficult for people to risk forking out.
They saw what happened last year and I doubt will do the same again. Apart that is from the `Millennials` who are of course immune !!!! (or so they think).

Had my first beer in an English pub since November 1st. Yay

Don't rub it in Bons......what was it? Oakham Ale 'Old Tosspot' ?

No Tosspot, though that would have been OK also, Farmer's Blonde. Nice it was too. A bit chilly when the sun went in as it was outside only. Still can't wait to get to Portugal soon though, but this is a momentous moment in England.