Having regard to the situation of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Autonomous Region of the Azores, the President of the Government, after an extraordinary meeting of the Council of the Government, held by videoconference, and having regard to the 

- the need to safeguard SATA's ability to continue ensuring flights for the transport of cargo and urgent situations, given the shortage of operational capacity to comply with the Public Service Obligations, namely in terms of available crew members, taking into account the compliance with the quarantine period to which they are required, 

has determined; 

- Under the Concession Agreement of Public Service Obligations for Inter-island Air Transport, suspend the inter-island flight connections of SATA Air Açores, except flights for the transport of cargo or urgent situations, provided they are duly authorised by the Regional Health Authority.
 
- As single shareholder of SATA Group, require the Board of Directors of Azores Airlines to suspend all flight connections to destinations outside the Region, except flights for the transport of cargo or urgent situations, provided they are duly authorised by the Regional Health Authority. 

- Under the Concession Agreement of Public Service for the Maritime Transport of Passengers and Vehicles in the Autonomous Region of the Azores, suspend the maritime links operated by Atlânticoline on all islands of the archipelago, with the exception of cargo transport or other urgent situations, as long as duly authorised by the Regional Health Authority. 

These measures will take effect from 6 pm (Azores) today, March 19, 2020, and will remain in force until March 31.