News from afpop - Friday 16th of December 2022

Good afternoon to you all and welcome to the penultimate Briefing for this year. Sadly at what should be a time of relaxation and joy, there will be disruption for many, both here and for those travelling back to the UK for Christmas. As you will see below there will also be rail strikes here in Portugal and additional holidays granted to public service employees. 
 
At least the recent rain has also brought some good news and with that, we’ll get into this week’s Briefing.
 
Public Services Portugal Mainland
The Government of Portugal Mainland has granted holidays on the 23rd and 30th of December to workers who carry out public functions. This means that you will find the public service offices closed on those days. This also includes Loja do Cidadão, Espaço do Cidadão and SEF offices. If any Members have appointments booked on those days, they should receive a communication to re-schedule. If you have not received any communication, please check with the authority where you are booked.
 
IMT phoneline
Due to technical maintenance, the services of the Instituto da Mobilidade e dos Transportes (IMT) telephone support line 210 488 488 is unavailable from 9h00 on 15th of December until 09h00 on the 19th of December.
 
Waste collection
As usual, for the Christmas and New Year period, a set of special measures is planned for the collection of waste in each municipality:
• On the 24th and 31st of December only until 18h00
• On 25th of December and 1st of January please do not deposit garbage.

 
Water reservoirs
The Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente (APA) informed that the Barragens are at 72% of capacity nationwide. In 18 Barragens the capacity already exceeded 90%, most of them in the Douro and Tagus area. In the regions most affected by the recent heavy rain.
Despite the heavy rain, there are still some reservoirs where the situation is still worrying. This is the case of the Mira (Santa Clara), Sado (Monte da Rocha and Campilhas) and Barlavento (Bravura) basins.
 
Train strikes in Portugal
There are train strikes announced over Christmas and New Year in Portugal. Eight unions announced strikes for CP -Comboios de Portugal, and only minimum services were set for 25% of trips scheduled on 23rd, 25th and 26th of December 2022 and 1st of January 2023.
For the 23rd and 26th of December, a 24-hour strike was announced and between the 23rd of December and the 2nd of January there will also be overtime strikes. All CP services will be affected by the protest.
CP has not made the official announcement, but in the coming days, they will publish on their official page the list of trains covered by the minimum services. https://www.cp.pt/institucional/en/press
Passengers who have already purchased a ticket for regional, interregional, Intercidades and Alfa Pendular trains will be able to request a refund or revalidation of their trips free of charge

Police Operation
The PSP will carry out the operation "Polícia Sempre Presente: Festas em Segurança 2022-2023", between Christmas and New Year. They will carry out preventive visibility operations, along with inspections during the festive season, with a special focus on the main causes of accidents: speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, cell phone use while driving and non-use (or misuse) of seat belts and restraint systems.
In the week leading up to Christmas, inspection will focus not only on large urban centres, in the vicinity of shopping areas, but also on access to the main interurban road axes, accompanying traditional journeys for family gatherings.
 
During the period in which the operation takes place, the PSP will provide surveillance to private residences. To request this you should go to your nearest police station.
 
IPMA weather forecast and warnings
The Civil Protection continues its warning of the need for preventive measures due to the continuation of rain, wind and strong sea agitation. Civil Protection warns of possible flooding in urban areas, landslides and water tables on roads and calls on the population to clear drainage systems, adopt defensive driving and avoid circulation in forest and riverside areas. We remind you of the IPMA website (Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera), that gives information about fires, air quality etc.
 
afpop office Christmas closing
The afpop office will close for the Christmas break at 12h30 on Friday 23rd of December and will remain closed throughout the Christmas period, reopening on Monday 2nd of January 2023.
 
Satellite offices
Please note that due to the Christmas holidays, there will be no Satellite Offices in December. afpop staff will be on hand in the Satellite Offices again in January 2023. If you need advice or assistance, wish to introduce a new Member to the Association, need to renew your subscription or just have a general query, please pass by and see us. Please contact the afpop office to make an appointment on 282 458 509 or info@afpop.com    
 
The next dates of the Satellites are: