"The end-of-year festivities remain as planned", said the regional secretary, Eduardo Jesus, in an audio recording sent to Lusa agency, reinforcing: "We have been following the pandemic evolution in great detail, which allows us to maintain this decision”.

The entertainment on public roads, restaurants and hotels will take place without additional restrictions to those in force since November 20, which determine, among others, the obligation to present a negative antigen test and vaccination certificate to access most public and private venues.

“We confirmed our hotel occupancy rate at around 90%”, says Eduardo Jesus, clarifying: “We have already twice listened to the market to understand the trend and, mainly, the influence that this new variant [Omicron] had on the rhythm of reservations and possible cancellations”.

According to the official, a "slowdown" in the pace of reserves was detected, but later it was resumed.

"Still today, reservations continue to appear for the 31st, which reinforces this new trend of the consumer, to book very quickly", he said.

Regional authorities anticipate the arrival of around 80 flights over the next few days at Madeira International Airport.

13 cruise ships – the same number registered in 2019 – are expected to be present in the port and bay of Funchal on New Year's Eve, to watch the traditional fireworks show.