Laurence Dollimore
ASTURIAS has returned to an ‘updated’ version of March’s Phase 2 lockdown following a surge in coronavirus cases.
Regional president Adrian Barbon announced yesterday that the measures will involve the reduction of venues’ capacities and the closure of hotel bars, among others.
In effect since 00:00 this morning, the restrictions will be in place for 15 days.
“You must stay in your homes as much as possible,” Barbon said at a press conference last night.
“A total closure is not being ruled out, nor is applying a state of alarm if necessary.”
No measures have been announced in the education sector, although universities have been advised to switch to teaching online.
The northern region has seen 18 fresh outbreaks of the virus in the past seven days.
“There are 258 cases related to the outbreaks, with an average of 10 people affected per cluster,” said regional health minister Pablo Fernandez, appearing alongside Barbon.
“With these figures and the fact that winter has not arrived, we must avoid serious caseloads and mortality rates,” added Rafael Cofiño, general director of Public Health.
The new measures come despite the region having an incidence rate of 186 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, well below the national average of 265.
President Barbon said his government was not going to ‘sit around and wait’ for the 200 barrier to be passed.
“In Asturias we were the best performing region for weeks and months… now we are not.”
The new measures in Asturias include the following:
- Avoid indoor events which are poorly ventilated or crowded.
- Ordering at the bar in establishments is prohibited unless picking up a takeaway order
- From 10pm, petrol stations and all shops must stop selling alcohol
- Open-air funerals or religious events must contain no more than 25 people (15 maximum if indoors)
- It is recommended to postpone all family and social activity
- Meet-ups between friends and family cannot exceed six people
- Showers and changing rooms may not be used in gyms, where access will be by appointment only, with group classes not allowed to exceed 10 participants
A 30-point guide has been published in the region’s BOPA (official gazette).
