"Wild chaos" on Mallorca despite the corona incidence of 1218: parties and mass gatherings on the holiday island

Created: 01/17/2022, 17:42

Holidaymakers relax on the Arenal beach in Mallorca.

(Archive image) © Clara Margais/dpa

Despite high corona incidences and the applicable rules, larger parties took place in Mallorca.

The government is extremely concerned.

Palma – On the Spanish holiday island of Mallorca, illegal parties and mass gatherings are a major concern for the authorities.

The celebrations are related to the traditional January folk festivals.

There are fears that this exuberance could delay the peak of the new corona wave, warned regional health minister Patricia Gómez in Palma on Monday.

What was seen at the weekend in the municipality of Sa Pobla in the north of the island, for example, could be repeated on Thursday in Palma, the capital of Mallorca, as part of the Sant Sebastià festival, said Gómez.

"Wild chaos" in Mallorca - despite Corona

In addition to other measures, the forced closure of four restaurants that did not comply with the prescribed limit on the number of guests was ordered.

Although there are currently hardly any tourists from Germany, Great Britain and other countries in Mallorca, the Mediterranean island is living up to its reputation as a party stronghold these days: numerous mainly younger people gathered on the village square of Sa Pobla on Sunday evening to On the eve of the Sant Antoni festival, crowded partying, singing and, among other things, drinking alcohol.

Corona incidence in Mallorca well over 1000

According to the “Mallorca Zeitung” and other regional media, only a few participants adhered to the mask requirement, which currently applies nationwide, even outdoors.

"There was wild chaos," headlined "Última Hora".

The police did not intervene.

The celebrations of the January festivals of Sant Antoni and Sant Sebastià - including concerts and fireworks - had been officially canceled due to Corona.

According to reports, however, people made appointments in Sa Pobla and other towns via social networks.

Minister Gómez admitted that most people are tired of the corona restrictions "after the two-year struggle".

On Mallorca and the other Balearic Islands, 1218 new infections per 100,000 inhabitants were last registered within seven days, nationwide the seven-day incidence in Spain is 1654. For comparison: in Germany this value was 528 on Monday.