Porto is re-emerging. Mayor Rui Moreira shows what reopening amid coronavirus means in Porto

The pandemic hit hard cities worldwide, at an alarming speed. The feeling is one of awe - how could this have happened? - and also bewilderment as we are ALL experiencing the same thing at the same time, adapting to the new context, in which cities have to co-exist with the novel coronavirus is not easy (understatement).

Mayors are in the frontline, helping businesses and people coping with the necessary changes that follow next. Mayor of Porto, Rui Moreira is one of such leaders.

Cities must start running again, although not as before. Transportation infrastructure - trains, buses and subways - have new guidelines; cafés and restaurants must reduce consumer entry, and airliners must leave the middle seat vacant when they start flying. 

The Invicta has had to fight many times; this time, the city will fight again. And it will overcome and succeed. Alas, it is The Invicta.

The return to the new normal is done step by step, safely but firmly.

Mayor Rui Moreira visited traders at the Bolhão Market, which never closed during the Emergency State. Everyone is now ready to distanced "hellos" and invisible "hugs".

Gradually, other stalls are reopening, with fresh vegetables and the quality seal of small producers. Customers are also in line with the new rules, and everyone keeps the safety distance and uses a mask so everyone is protected.

Customers have a varied offer of fresh food, fish stalls, frozen seafood, butcher's shop and dairies products, canned food and dried fruits, just to mention a few. Bolhão Temporary Market runs from Monday to Saturday, between 8am and 4pm. Entrance follows the guidelines issued by the DGS.

But it's is not only Bolhão that is adapting, the entire city of Porto is starting to mobilize and safely preparing for the future.

Mayor of Porto, Rui Moreira visited businesses and small stores in Fernandes Tomás, Santa Catarina, and Formosa streets, accompanied by its Head of Office, Nuno Santos, and both saw how people from Porto are adapting and functioning.

Rui Moreira even took some time to have a haircut, something many Portuguese long for these days, as well.

Mayor of Porto, Rui Moreira greeted the Volunteer firefighter Brigade of Porto, which alongside the Porto Firefighter Brigade, as well as the Municipal Police, Municipal Civil Protection, just to name a few, have been ensuring an optimal response to Covid-19 in the city.

Another key change that Mayor Rui Moreira is focusing on is the pedestrianizing of busy streets, to increase the possibility of people social distancing and, all the while, being able to stroll in the streets, a much appreciated routine these days. This was the case of Porto Atlantic avenues.

Key services, like the Townsman Office keeps running mostly on an online and remote way, and face-to-face services are held only when there is no other way of solving a situation.

Rui Moreira also established a Municipal Support Fund to support associations and investment in the city of Porto, namely startups, micro companies and SME's in the city.

The majority of the support measures to strengthen the city's economic fabric were voted today, at the Municipal Executive Meeting, held via videoconference.