Spain Proposes New Restrictions On Hospitality Industry
Spain News
Published: 23 November 2021 15:43 CET
On Tuesday afternoon, Spain’s Public Health Commission will meet in order to debate whether a new set of restrictions should be placed on the hospitality industry in light of the recent surge in Coronavirus cases.
The plans would affect regions where the risk level is deemed to be ‘medium risk’ and where significant pressure is being placed on the local hospitals.
If the restrictions are put into place, the interior of hospitality businesses such as bars, restaurants and cafes will have to shut by 11 pm.
Restrictions would also be placed on such establishments so that the maximum table occupancy would be limited to 10 people or 50% of the capacity in indoor areas.
The risk threshold would only be considered breached when the incidence rate exceeded 100 cases per 100,000 residents, placing further pressure on hospital intensive care units.
In the event that the cumulative incidence rate reached the ‘high risk’ level and the numbers exceed 300 per 100,000, the proposal recommends that capacity would be reduced to 25% with a limit of six people permitted per table. The establishment would also have to close by 11 pm.
If the levels were to break through the 500 cases per 100,000 threshold, the interiors of all hospitality businesses in that region would have to be closed.
The proposed document which will be up for discussion also recommends the closure of nightclubs by 1 am with dancers having to wear masks at all times.
Current Incidence Rate Per 100,000 Inhabitants In Spain
According to statistics published by the Ministry of Health on the evening of Monday, 22nd November, 11 of the country’s 19 autonomous regions currently have a cumulative incidence rate above the 100 medium risk level.
These are:-
- Navarra (373.56)
- País Vasco (286.38)
- Aragon (208.74)
- Cataluña (183.14)
- Baleares (181.47)
- La Rioja (160.36)
- Castilla y León (147.44)
- Murcia (133.33)
- Valencian Community (133.15)
- Canaries (131.30)
- Cantabria (100.19)
The data shows that the national average now stands at 132.19 per 100,000 inhabitants. This is around three times what it was just one month ago.
The news comes as the Minister of Health Carolina Darias (pictured) comes under increasing scrutiny and criticism for not taking a stance on the use of the Covid-19 health pass.
Earlier in the week, courts in the Basque Country refused a proposal to introduce the pass for entry into nightlife venues. The judges claimed the restriction would be a limitation of fundamental rights.
However, other regions are pushing for the introduction of the health pass for certain establishments and pursuits including Galicia, Catalonia and the Balearic Islands.
Source
https://murciatoday.com/possible_restrictions_for_hospitality_in_spain_amid_covid_passport_chaos_1685967-a.html
https://www.surinenglish.com/spain/spain-considers-closing-20211123112753-nt.html
https://www.thelocal.es/20211123/spain-eyes-closing-bars-and-nightclubs-early-as-covid-cases-rise/
https://www.mscbs.gob.es/profesionales/saludPublica/ccayes/alertasActual/nCov/documentos/Actualizacion_508_COVID-19.pdf
Image Credit: Pool Moncloa/Borja Puig de la Bellacasa
