- news
- Corona
Night curfew on restaurants and public smoking ban: Spain returns to corona restrictions
In recent days, the country has experienced a renewed outbreak of the virus with about 3,000 infected a day. Following this, the Minister of Health announced new measures to combat Corona, including closing nightclubs and limiting the number of customers: "We must be disciplined." Business owners furious: "Turning leisure into a crime"
Tags- Spain
- Corona virus
Reuters
Saturday, 15 August 2020, 13:32Authorities in Spain announced yesterday (Friday) a series of new restrictions on the fight against Corona, due to the renewed outbreak of the epidemic in the country's territories. As part of the restrictions, Spanish Health Minister Salvador Ayala has announced a ban on smoking in public places where it is not possible to maintain a safe distance from people. This, as well as the closure of places of entertainment such as restaurants, clubs and bars at night - which provoked outrage among those involved in the industry that was severely affected by the corona.
Ayala also recommended limiting gatherings indoors to up to ten people. Following a consultation with representatives of the 17 provinces of Spain, the Minister of Health announced that from 01:00 at night restaurants, bars and clubs will be instructed to close their gates. This, in addition to limiting the number of diners to ten people, while maintaining a distance of at least a meter and a half between tables. Authorities will also ban drinking in public spaces.
The Spanish Ministry of Health has emphasized that the closure extends to all businesses in the field of nightlife, including dance halls, in all areas of the country - even at popular tourist-dependent sites.
More on Walla! NEWS
- Because of new outbreaks in Spain: Fear of Corona's second wave in Europe
- Prohibition of gatherings and closure of clubs: New Corona restrictions in Barcelona
- A degree in communication alone is no longer enough - a new two-course track will open doors for you
"We must not allow ourselves to be undisciplined," Ayala said in a statement issued to the Spanish public. "We can not ignore the virus that is spreading among us."
The head of an organization representing business owners in Spain, Ramon Mass, condemned the decision to impose a curfew on places of entertainment. "They are turning leisure and recreation into a crime," he said in an interview with a local radio station. He said the group he represents plans to file a lawsuit against the government for violating rights that endanger thousands of jobs. "We are outraged and angry," Mass added.
More on Walla! NEWS
The Spanish proverb says that there is a bar in every corner. The corona could wipe it out
To the full article
Spain has banned smoking in public spaces. A man smokes in Playa del Ingles (Photo: Reuters)In Spain, one of the most severely affected countries by the virus in Europe and in the world in general, the authorities imposed stricter restrictions from mid-March to the end of June in order to curb the disease. These measures have toppled the local economy, which relies heavily on tourism.
Although the closure was lifted seven weeks ago, in recent days cases of infection in the country have risen drastically, and yesterday almost 3,000 corona carriers were diagnosed - twice the average in early August. The total number of infections in Spain has risen to 342,813, the highest number diagnosed in Western Europe since the outbreak.
According to official data in the country, 62 people have died over the past week, and the total death toll from Corona in Spain has risen to 28,617.
The rise in the number of diagnoses has heightened fears that Spain may return to the serious morbidity situation it experienced in early April, when the daily death toll reached nearly a thousand people. However, Minister Ayala tried to allay these concerns.
"The situation we are experiencing today is not comparable to March and April," the health minister said. However, he noted that in recent times the rate of infection among young people is much higher, but there are far fewer patients whose condition is serious.
Due to the increase in morbidity in Spain, the German authorities have ordered tests to be carried out to detect corona for all those entering the country, except for the Canary Islands. Spanish Foreign Minister Aranca Gonzalez Laia said her country respects the decision. "We will work with Germany to change the situation as soon as possible," she added.
