Lockdown Continues
- Winnie Graybard
- Feb 22, 2021
- 2 min read
The reason I haven't posted anything for a while is that there is absolutely nothing to report. The COVID lockdown here in Portugal has been extended at least until the end of February. But everything we have read indicates that it will most likely continue until after Easter (early April). So, other than going to the grocery store and walking the international dog of mystery, we are stuck at home. There is strong evidence that the nationwide lockdown is having a positive effect on the number of cases, deaths, and hospitalizations. So that does make it worthwhile. I am not going to lie. Lockdown is hard. We are really anxious to get out there and explore Portugal but those wanderings will have to wait.
The weather was rainy and damp for the first month of the lockdown but now the sun is coming out most days and the temperatures are going up. Most days it goes to around 60. The first signs of spring are starting to emerge. The hydrangeas around our garden are starting to sprout and there are some flowers blooming along the route to the grocery store.
The road to official residency here in Portugal consists of two phases. The first, which we completed in the US, is to obtain the D7 visa. The second is to appear at a meeting with the Portuguese immigration department. This meeting was scheduled by the consulate when we received our visas. Our meetings were scheduled for late March here in Cascais. Unfortunately, SEF (Immigration & Border Services) has cancelled all meetings since the lockdown. They say they will reschedule them in chronological order once restrictions are lifted. Our visas are automatically extended until that time. We cannot receive our national health cards until our residency is approved. We have private health insurance but the national health is administering the vaccine program. We are anxious to get our cards for that reason and to facilitate travel through the EU once that is permitted. By the way, the vaccine rollout here in Portugal (and the EU generally) is even worse than in the US. The biggest problem seems to be supply here. Obviously, we are keeping an eye on that situation to the extent that we can.
That's it for now. We're fine. Just bored and ready to get out there to explore. Take care everyone.
We are equally bored here! We have had so much rain this year the lake is very high. Hopefully you two will get your cards soon so you can get the vaccine.
The sleet is bouncing off my office window as I read your post, we only reach 60'F if we add the temps of the last few days together, and PA is ranked in the bottom 3 of states too inept to vaccinate their citizens... Keep writing; your worst day is better than ours!
At least you have time to plan out all of your adventures. The planning can sometimes be super fun and cathartic on it's own. Sending socially appropriate hugs and kisses your way.
Hang in there. Thanks for the pictures. It's so lovely to see something green for a change. We finally got dinner sun this weekend but it was cold and windy. Jordan lake is at it's highest level that I've seen in a few years from all the rain lately and we're expecting more today. Jess and I went for a walk down by the boat ramp on Farrington yesterday and it's completely under water. Come on spring!
Hi Winnie and Will! It was good to hear from you and know you are still doing ok! Eddie and I have now had both vaccinations and totally understand how you will feel more comfortable once your have your as well. The numbers here appear to be responding positively to the roll out of the vaccine, which is good, but still very slow. The weather he has been very rainy and mostly cold. This week we are supposed to be in the 60’s all week which is a welcome change to all the rain. Please take care!