Fishermen who have tested negative for the virus but need to go into quarantine because they have had contact with an infected colleague have been given the green light to go to sea as a group, and serve out their quarantine while fishing.
DGS health authorities approved the scenario to avoid “serious economic repercussions within the sector” and save the supply chain that feeds national fish markets.
The decision followed an outbreak within the fishing communities of Póvoa de Varzim and Vila do Conde mid-August which forced 90 fishermen into quarantine – paralysing five boats – even though none of them had tested positive for the virus and none were showing any signs of illness.
