In a statement, the municipality explains that it launched a “massive testing operation” on Wednesday, 17 June, covering 340 workers in the municipality, to “rule out any possible occurrence” of contagion by the new coronavirus.

“The results of these tests were now known and made public, and all workers tested negative”, reads the note, which underlines that the results allow “to reassure the functional structure and the citizens”.

According to the Câmara de Lagos, in the district of Faro, the results of tests carried out by several local companies on their workers and preventive or mitigation measures adopted are also gradually becoming known, allowing “to resume their activity”.

The contagion originated from an illegal party that took place on 7 June, in the ballroom of the sports club in Odiáxere, allegedly to celebrate a birthday.

The party was attended by people from different counties and of different nationalities, with infections among people of the same family, including children, and also among co-workers.

The outbreak has already caused the suspension of visits to users in 24 social facilities in the western (western) Algarve, in a total of 13 structures, including nursing homes, long-term care units, youth and mental health homes, in eight counties.

After the origin of the outbreak was known, the Lagos Council initiated intensive testing actions for municipal workers, as there were signs of possible contacts with infected people.