The National Republican Guard (GNR) will deploy close to 2,900 military personnel for the security operation of this year’s edition of the Rally de Portugal, estimating to have 700 troops per day in the different areas of the race and respective accesses.
“The objective of the Guard will be to guarantee security in the movement, access and route in the largest national sporting event, so that there is a climate of public tranquility and in total security”, revealed this Tuesday the Major Hernâni Martins, of Communication and Public Relations of the GNR.
At a press conference held in Porto, the military revealed that the “GNR device, with some 2,900 troops, will act preventively, but will be prepared for all circumstances”, detailing that from this Wednesday until Sunday if “it will develop security operation and intensive patrolling”.
“The GNR security operation is evolving. It is always based on the devices of previous years and the accumulated experience. Now live a moment after two of limitations [pela pandemia de Covid-19] we are prepared to receive a large number of spectators”, completed Hernâni Martins.
To guarantee the success of the race and all the inherent security conditions, the GNR, through Lieutenant Colonel Babo Nogueira, one of the elements that will supervise the operation, listed a series of recommendations for spectators, highlighting, at the head, the positioning of the public
“The public is only allowed in the areas specifically set up for this purpose and duly signposted, where the show can be enjoyed safely. The rest of the spaces are prohibited areas”, recommended the GNR.
La Guardia also warned that “it is not allowed to circulate in the qualifying sections, not even on shoulders, while the stages are taking place. [desde a passagem das viaturas de segurança até o carro vassoura]”.
It was also requested that the spectators “go to the exhibition areas [ZE] in advance” and that in the parking lot they avoid leaving visible objects inside the vehicles”
The GNR asked the population to “avoid putting themselves in dangerous situations, that is, those that cause falls, injuries or other risks to their own health”, stressing that despite being articulated, with other entities, in rescue operations, these they can be hindered by the morphology and characteristics of the terrain.
In this sense, Guarda recalled that “given the possibility of high temperatures, it is important that [os espetadores] bring enough water to avoid dehydration and wear appropriate clothing”.
An environmental aspect was also highlighted, not only with “beware of possible causes of fire, such as cigarette butts or small bonfires”, but also a call for “preservation of nature, leaving the premises clean”.
Also recalled “safety precautions with new hybrid vehicles [do WRC]”, warning that in the event of an accident involving one of these cars “no one should touch these vehicles if there is a red light in sight.” [na lateral] them, as it presents a risk of electrocution”.
Also present at this press conference promoted by the GNR was Horácio Rodrigues, director of the Rally de Portugal, who recalled that the race “has an identical structure to that of previous years, although with some novelties”.
“There will be a super special in Figueira da Foz, on Friday, a new stage in Paredes, where part of the blackmailand a stage in Cabeceiras de Bastos, on the last day, which will be done in the opposite direction to recent years”, he shared.
The person in charge reiterated the safety calls made by the GNR, recalling that this item absorbs a considerable part of the Rally de Portugal budget.
“This event is a great security device, something essential for the rally. Without the collaboration of the GNR, as well as the INEM, PSP and Civil Protection, it would be almost impossible to carry out the test. And that has some costs, which are beginning to be unbearable, although it is money well spent,” he pointed out.
The 56th edition of the Rally de Portugal starts this Thursday, in Coimbra, and will run until Sunday, in the Central and Northern regions of the country.
Source: TSF
