The mother of the boy who attends the kindergarten “A Joaninha” was part of a group under observation by the health authority, for presenting “a mild symptomology”, having tested positive on Friday, 5 June, revealed to Lusa, Ana Cristina Guerreiro.

According to the official, the boy and the father “were tested on Saturday, 6 June, with only the child's result being positive”, he stressed, adding that the 18 children and employees who had the closest contact with the boy “will be tested” and that all children and staff “were quarantined” for 14 days.

The infected boy attends the nursery in the parish of Santa Bárbara de Nexe, in the municipality of Faro, but the family resides in the neighbouring parish of Almancil, already in the municipality of Loulé.

Before the reopening of the equipment, "all employees will be tested, saving young children from a horrible test", stressed Ana Cristina Guerreiro.

As indicated by the guidelines of the General Directorate of Health, "the equipment must be subjected to correct hygiene without special products", he said.

The parents of the children placed in quarantine "have the legal right to accompany them", said the health delegate, noting that "also the siblings must be kept in prophylactic isolation".

This is the first case detected in the Algarve in day-care centres and kindergartens after the government's indication of opening, following its closure in mid-March.

Pre-school education establishments reopened on 1 June with new rules, similar to day care centres and secondary schools, after being closed on 16 March due to the covid-19 pandemic.