COVID-19 ‘Superspreaders’ Will Be Fined Up To €600,000 In Andalusia
Spain News
Published: 05 August 2020 08:42 CET
Updated: 08 August 2020 10:42 CET
COVID-19 'superspreaders' in the Andalucia region, could be fined up to 600,000 euros and businesses closed under new legislation.
The new laws will target both individuals and businesses who fail to respect social distancing measures, comply with containment measures and who are found to have infected others as a result.
The new decree distinguishes three different types of infractions which are - minor, serious and very serious. Fines will then be issued depending on the severity of the infringement.
The governing council gave the green light on Tuesday to the new laws which will aim to curb further outbreaks of the virus thought to have been caused by those not adhering to the social distancing guidelines.
It is also believed that the regional government of Andalusia aims to target younger citizens between the ages of 20 and 55 who are thought to be responsible for around 70 percent of infections in the region.
To date, the region has had 14,695 Coronavirus cases and 1,455 deaths.
Fines for minor infractions that can be deemed as potentially infecting up to 15 people, will range from 100 euros to 3,000 euros.
Minor infractions will be considered as not wearing a mask correctly or not wearing one at all when in shops or confined public spaces.
For more serious violations, such as spreading the virus to between 15 and 100 people or refusing to collaborate with local authorities, fines will be issued from between 3,000 euros and 60,000 euros.
Finally, those who are deemed to be 'superspreaders' and thought to have infected more than 100 people, the fines will start at 60,000 euros and increase up to an eye-watering 600,000 euros.
Businesses including shops, nightclubs, restaurants and bars who exceed the maximum capacity leading to mass infections will also be handed huge fines and be forced to close for up to 5 years.
The opening of business premises which have been expressly prohibited and those hosting parties and other large gatherings in public or private spaces may also be targeted under the new legislation and fined accordingly.
Those who fail to comply with legislation in regards to self-isolation at home and who may have previously tested positive for COVID will also be considered to be committing a serious breach under the new guidelines and fined heavily.
It will be at the discretion of the local police to issue fines for minor infringements, however, it will be the remit of the Andalusian Health Council who will have the final say on the amount of the fines that will be levied to businesses for more serious breaches of the new decree.
Source: Junta de Andalucia
