The decision was taken at a meeting of the Algarve Intermunicipal Community (AMAL), the body which brings together the 16 municipalities of the district of Faro.

“The decision will be maintained at least until the end of this year, until further evaluation”, the statement reads.

The annual fairs in Santa Iria (Faro), São Miguel (Olhão), Feira da Praia (Vila Real de Santo António), São Francisco (Tavira), São Martinho (Portimão) and Feira Franca (Lagos) are therefore suspended.

The mayors justify their position by considering that “in the context of the current pandemic, the conditions are not met” to allow the fairs to take place once a year in various municipalities in the region.

According to AMAL, even if held outdoors, the fairs would have to comply with a set of guidelines from the Directorate-General for Health (DGS), but the mayors claim that “the conditions are not met”, since these events involve a large concentration of people in those spaces.

“The focus of the presidents remains on protecting the health and well-being of the population of the Algarve”, AMAL stressed.

According to the government, as of 15 September, the entire Portuguese continent will be in a state of contingency so that the necessary measures can be defined to prepare for autumn and winter.