Bar and restaurant owners on the Southern Costa Blanca, and across the Valencian Community, were waiting for Ximo Puig’s announcement this morning. The Valencian Community President alongside Health Minister Ana Barceló conducted a live press briefing this morning to address the public.
The main points are summarised below, but for now, the big news is that the hostelry sector will not close, as some had feared. There is a reduction in capacity (one third of the interior and one half of the terrace can be used) but the sector remains open.
The towns of Elda and Petrer will close borders from midnight tonight (Friday) with citizens from those towns not allowed to leave (or outsiders to enter) without just cause such as work, education or a medical appointment. These restrictions remain in place until December 9th.
Main points from this morning’s announcement:
• Reduced capacity in bars and restaurants throughout the Valencian Community but no closures. Customers will only be able to occupy a third of the interior and half of the terrace.
• In shopping centres, the capacity of each shop is limited to 50% and customers may not wait, sit or stay in common areas in commercial centres.
• Wakes, burials and celebrations: may not exceed 25 people outdoors and 15 indoors. Non-religious ceremonies may not exceed 25 people outdoors or 15 indoors and subsequent celebrations in restaurants will also have those same limitations.
• Street markets will be able to have half of their stalls.
• Common areas of hotels or hostels may not exceed a third of their capacity and people who are not living together may not stay together overnight.
• Cultural and tourist activities have to reduce their capacity by half, traveling shows are not allowed, online workshops or conferences are recommended.
• Non contact sport can be practiced both indoors and outdoors. Physical activities can be carried out in groups up to a maximum of 30 people, when they are carried out in open air facilities, and up to a maximum of 20 people, when they are carried out in closed facilities, without physical contact, and only when maintaining the safety distance and provided that a third of the maximum capacity of the facility is not exceeded.
• On public transport in vehicles with up to nine seats, including the driver, all seats of the vehicle can be used, as well as those that are in the same row as the driver’s own seat (only if all other seats are occupied). All occupants must wear a mask at all times.