Communiqué from the Regional Health Authority - Communication

Secretaria Regional da Saúde e Desporto

As of 12 a.m. this Friday, March 11, resolution no. 27/2022 of March 9 enters into force,  declaring the state of alert for all islands of the archipelago and renewing measures to combat the covid-19 pandemic.

Essentially, the restrictive measures now applied by the Regional Health Authority and listed in the Annex to the new Resolution are limited to the indoor wearing of masks and mandatory negative tests for visits to patients in healthcare facilities and residential facilities for the elderly, except for holders of a certificate of recovery or a declaration of clinical discharge or children aged 12 and under. 

When travelling to the Azores by air or sea, digital certificates will only be required for foreigners in international routes entering via Azorean airports (Lajes and Ponta Delgada) and ports; the control will now be carried out by the airport and port authorities. As of tomorrow, the control and testing devices installed at Azorean airports and ports will be disabled. 

The lifting of measures results, for example, in the end of occupancy limits in establishments or other places open to the public. A negative test is no longer required for access to large events, sports venues, bars and nightclubs.

Diagnostic testing

According to the rules and guidelines of the Regional Directorate for Health, SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic tests may continue to be carried out on employees, users and visitors to educational establishments, healthcare facilities, residential facilities for the elderly, long-term care units and other services for the elderly, as well as children, youths and people with disabilities. However, it is not necessary to submit a negative test result if a certificate of recovery or a declaration of clinical discharge is presented or in the case of children aged 12 and under.

Prophylactic isolation

As determined by the Regional Health Authority, patients infected with the SARS-Cov-2 virus, carriers of the covid19 disease and patients who have been determined to be under active surveillance will remain in prophylactic isolation in a healthcare facility, at home or, if not possible, in another location defined by the competent regional authorities.   

Body temperature monitoring

Non-invasive body temperature measurements can be carried out to control access to workplaces, health establishments, prisons, educational centres and residential facilities for the elderly or others deemed to be subject to protective measures. This also applies to access to public services or institutions, educational, teaching and vocational education establishments, commercial spaces, cultural or sporting venues, and public transport.