The Algarve Regional Health Authority decided on Sunday to suspend classes for the 1st and 2nd cycles, as of today, in the municipalities of Albufeira, Faro, Loulé, Olhão and São Brás de Alportel, due to the “gravity of the situation”.

In a statement, the PSD deputies elected by the Algarve consider that the decision “reveals a lack of respect towards parents”, for disturbing the family organization in the coming weeks, because there are “people who work, many who have none to take care of the children”.

The deputies say they do not know the basis of the decision, if it is strictly necessary, as it is not being adopted in other regions with an identical evolution of the pandemic, such as Lisbon, and asked "what was the scientific advice that motivated it".

In a statement, the Algarve Regional Health Authority explained that the decision is based due to the existence of "816 active confirmed cases of covid-19" in the region.

According to that authority, the incidence rate at 14 days per 100,000 inhabitants was 583 in Albufeira, 329 in Faro, 448 in Loulé, 403 in Olhão and 326 in São Brás de Alportel.

"This measure, decided (…) in order to contain transmission chains, for a period of 12 days starting on Monday, 28 June, coinciding with the end of the school year, will be permanently monitored and reviewed in the meeting on 9 July, with an analysis of the epidemiological situation of the municipalities on that date”, can be read in the note signed by the Regional Health Delegate of the Algarve, Ana Cristina Guerreiro.