Spain Rejects Bar Closures But Modifies Traffic Light System
Spain News
Published: 24 November 2021 14:00 CET
Spanish authorities have decided against closing bars and nightlife venues early, instead choosing to implement a more relaxed traffic light system.
The decision was made on Tuesday, November 23, less than a week after the Ministry of Health’s former proposal to alter the Spanish traffic light system, was rejected by the majority of the autonomous communities who wanted further discussions on the matter.
The agreement that was reached means that bars and nightlife venues in areas that are considered to be in ‘high risk’ areas, will not have to close early but will need to use the new updated traffic light system, a move that has been welcomed by the hospitality industry.
The new more ‘flexible’ system 'will raise the level of infections and hospitalisations allowed before restrictions have to be implemented.’
Autonomous communities from across Spain all agreed that the way forward was to continue pushing the vaccination crusade, encourage the wearing of masks and ensure that venues are adequately ventilated.
The updated ‘traffic light system’ will show that the cumulative incidence rate (Al) now has four distinct risk levels.
The ‘low risk’ level will allow a 14-day AI of 50 to 100 cases per 100,000 residents, instead of the previous 25 to 50 and will no longer be called the ‘new normal’. It will now be called ‘controlled circulation’.
As for the other levels, the 'average’ level rises from 50 to 150 per 100,000 residents to between 100 and 300 cases. The ‘high’ level rises from150 to 250 per 100,000 residents to between 300 and 500 cases. The cumulative incidence rate that previously started at just 250 cases per 100,000 residents, will rise to more than 500 cases per 100,000 and will signify as being ‘very high risk’.
During the meeting, the Minister of Health, Carolina Darias, also categorically refused to issue a unified national plan to issue the use of Covid certificates for accessing nightlife venues or hospitals. This is in spite of several regions having called for the measure to be adopted and the government itself also recognising that there are “some imbalances.”
The Minister of Health has, however, agreed to meet with regional representatives on Wednesday, November 24, to discuss the matter further.
According to the Ministerio de Sanidad’s Twitter post on Tuesday, November 23, Spain’s accumulated number of cases stands at 5,103.315 and sadly 87,866 people have lost their lives to the Covid-19 virus.
Source
https://murciatoday.com/spain-decides-against-bar-closures-but-modifies-traffic-light-system_1686448-a.html
https://twitter.com/sanidadgob/status/1463212737413189638
