Canyons: Government admits reopening borders for workers to cross.
The Minister of Home Affairs admitted that the borders of Barrancos (Beja) can reopen, before 15 June, during “some hours”, for the passage of workers between Portugal and Spain.
After the restoration of borders was decreed, the inhabitants of Barrancos who work in neighboring Encinasola, instead of the usual 18 daily km, started doing about 200 kms.
This is due to the fact that they have to cross the border of Vila Verde de Ficalho, that gives access to Rosal de la Fronteira, to then make their way across the Spanish countryside to the workplace.
“We are considering very local issues, with a few hours, fundamentally for the movement of workers. We have in consideration, already said it, two points. Canyons, is one of those places that are farther from places where the passage is authorized and where we consider it to exist for some hours of the day, not with the permanent character as in the nine main posts”, yesterday said Eduardo Cabrita.
According to the ruler, the reopening of the passage between Portugal and Spain in Barrancos, is to be discussed “at this time” with the Spanish authorities, but he admits that he would like it to happen yet “before 15 June”.
The control of land borders is being carried out since the 23,00 hours of the day 16 March at nine authorized crossing points: Valença / Tuy, Vila Verde da Raia / Verin, Quintanilha/San Vitero, Vila Formoso / Fuentes de Oñoro, Termas de Monfortinho/Cilleros, Marvão / Valencia de Alcântara, fall (Elvas)/Badajoz, Vila Verde de Ficalho / Rosal de la Frontera and Vila Real de Santo António / Ayamonte.
There are five secondary borders in the district of Beja between Portugal and Spain, Ravines / Encinasola, Sobral da ADIC / Rosal de la Frontera, São Marcos-Vila Nova de São Bento / Paymogo, False Back / Publa Guzman Pomarão and / El Granado), which are closed as a measure to control the new Coronavirus epidemic.
Other secondary borders in Alentejo Arronches / San Vicente de Alcântara, Retirement (Campo Maior)/Badajoz, Lady of Ajuda (Elvas)/Olivenza e Marvão / Villanueva del Fresno.
Teixeira Correia
(journalist)
Photo: Courtesy João Agulhas, 17-03-2020 (border line Barrancos / Encinasola)
