The Regional Secretary for Transport and Public Works announced in Ponta Delgada the suspension of the seasonal maritime transport of passengers and vehicles in the archipelago of the Azores. 

During a press conference, Ana Cunha revealed that “the Regional Government considers that conditions are not met for the inter-island maritime transport of passengers and vehicles to take place, as in previous years." 

On March 18, the Council of the Government decided to suspend inter-island flights operated by SATA Air Açores and also Azores Airlines operations outside the Region.
 
The suspension of inter-island maritime transport of passengers and vehicles, operated by Atlânticoline, was also approved at the same meeting of the Council of the Government. Both companies, within the scope of their activity, continue to carry out cargo and passenger transport operations, provided they are classified as urgent situations, thus fulfilling their important public service mission. 

Accordingly, Council of the Government determined, “and after hearing the Regional Health Authority, to suspend the seasonal inter-island maritime transport of passengers and vehicles, the so-called summer operation,” the Regional Secretary for Transport said, adding that "this operation will be resumed in 2021." 

The Regional Secretary recalled that the regular maritime transport of passengers and vehicles between the islands of Faial, Pico and São Jorge are also suspended, "except the transport of cargo and urgent situations, provided that they are duly authorised by the Regional Health Authority." 

According to Ana Cunha, “as soon as the suspension of regular maritime operations is removed, the Government plans to resume the operations between the islands of Faial, Pico, S. Jorge and Terceira as well as the operations between the islands of Flores and Corvo within Atlânticoline's summer schedule and using its own fleet.
 
"The Regional Government believes it is its duty to continue to strongly encourage the Azoreans not to travel outside their island of residence, so as to avoid, as much as possible, the spread of the novel coronavirus, which causes COVID-19 disease," stressed the Secretary Regional. As she noted, “we live in exceptional circumstances that require, here and now, extraordinary measures in order to continue working towards the normal return of economic activity in the Azores in the safest way possible.