"Following the most recent laboratory results, the Regional Health Authority considers that the island of São Miguel is in a potential epidemiological situation of active community transmission with a high risk of transmission chains in all the municipalities of the island.

In view of this possibility, the Government of the Azores, following the permanent and daily monitoring of the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Region, considers that the necessary measures must be taken to prevent the population of São Miguel from being vulnerable to a widespread transmission of the novel coronavirus. 

In the last hours, the Government of the Azores, following the recommendation of the Regional Health Authority, heard the Association of Municipalities of the Autonomous Region of the Azores, the Association of Municipalities of São Miguel Island, the Regional Delegation of the National Association of Parishes and each one of the municipalities on the island São Miguel Island, having previously coordinated the adoption of these new measures with the Representative of the National Government for the Azores. 

In this regard, the Government Council, at an extraordinary meeting, has determined the establishment of sanitary cordons in each municipality of the island of São Miguel, banning travel between municipalities from 12am of April 3 until 12am of April 17.

Hence, all travel between the six councils of this island will be banned as well as the movement of people on public roads. 

It has also been determined to close all public service offices of the regional and local administration as well as of costumer services of commercial, industrial and service establishments on the island of São Miguel. 

These bans can be reviewed at any time, according to the evolution of the situation and are subject to several exceptions duly provided for in the Resolution approved by the Council of the Government. 

These exceptions are namely intended to ensure the supply of essential goods to the population of São Miguel Island and maintain the activity of essential sectors. They also comprise the access to health units and the provision of assistance to the elderly, minors and vulnerable people, among others. 

The Government of the Azores has been working, in the last hours, with the Regional Civil Protection towards the implementation of these measures, which will be coordinated by this service in collaboration with the Security Forces. The use of human and material resources from the regional administration has been already planned for this purpose. 

It is important to be absolutely clear in this regard: these measures announced here are intended to safeguard public health, specifically on the island of São Miguel, but will only take effect if we all comply scrupulously with them. 

It is very important that we all be aware that these measures, by themselves, are not the guarantee that it will be possible to prevent the active community transmission of the novel coronavirus on this island. 

It is essential and imperative that they be complied with by each and every one of us.
 
Therefore, we cannot be lenient with those who deliberately do not comply with these guidelines, endangering not only their health, but also the health of their community. 

In this regard, the Government of the Azores will be absolutely ruthless towards any person or entity that does not comply with the rules in force, referring to the competent judicial entities all situations of non-compliance that may be identified. 

I believe it is essential to remember that anyone who, despite not having tested positive for COVID-19, does not comply with the duty of curfew incurs the crime of disobedience and may be punished by a jail sentence that can go up to 2 years and 8 months. 

Furthermore, according to the legislation in force, anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19 and does not comply with the duty of mandatory confinement incurs the crime of disease transmission, which is punishable by a jail sentence that can go up to 8 years.

The protection of all begins with the protection of each one."