"We will do everything possible for the reopening of air traffic to Madeira to be carried out in conditions of safety for our population. In other words, we want the airport to have its reopening, we want to continue receiving tourists, but we have to do it safely ", said Miguel Albuquerque, in videoconference, in Funchal.

The Regional Government, of PSD / CDS-PP coalition, today announced the reopening of commerce and the provision of services to the public as of 00:00 on Monday, May 4, but still maintains restrictions in several sectors due to the pandemic de covid-19, when there are 86 positive cases recorded in the archipelago, with 43 recovered.

At the Madeira Airport level, there is a limit of two weekly flights operated by TAP and a maximum number of 100 passengers allowed to disembark, which must comply with 14 quarantine days.

"We have to ensure that tourists, when they enter here, are not the focus of infection or a threat to public health," warned Miguel Albuquerque.

The official stressed that the resumption of tourism activity depends on the issuing markets and the evolution of the covid-19 pandemic, highlighting that there is a "great uncertainty" at European Union level regarding the normalization of air traffic.

Miguel Albuquerque also expressed doubts regarding the safety of passengers, arguing that the control of covid-19 should be done in the country of issue.

In Madeira, access to beaches, bathing complexes, gardens and playgrounds is still prohibited, but the regional executive is "working" with hotel groups to reopen domestic tourism during the summer, especially Porto Santo, where now there are no cases of covid-19.

"The lack of definition and the opening of economic activities must be carried out gradually and with all care and precautions", warned Miguel Albuquerque, when visits to the homes of the elderly in the archipelago, as well as religious services with the presence of people, are prohibited and sports activities.

The Regional Government points, however, to May as "transition month for the restoration of some normality", appealing to the population to never "minimize or despise" the risks that the Autonomous Region of Madeira still faces in the face of the covid-19 pandemic .