Spain’s Costa Blanca wakes up this morning to new 50% capacity rules as ‘the invisible enemy’ sweeps through the region

HUGE parts of Costa Blanca will be subject to new guidelines in the wake of increasing numbers of Coronavirus cases in the area.

Records show 431 cases for every 100,000 citizens, so further restrictions were introduced from midnight last night (October 16) in Orihuela City and surrounding districts.

Those districts are La Aparecida, Rincón de Bonanza, Desamparados, Arneva, Hurchillo, La Murada, La Matanza, La Campaneta, San Bartolomé, Virgen del Camino, Molins, Correntías and El Escorratel.

However, due to both Torremendo and Orihuela Costa, belonging to the Torrevieja Health Department, neither are affected by these new measures.

Orihuela Mayor of Emergencies, Víctor Valverde, explained, “It is not about confinement, but rather restrictive measures on the limitation of capacity in different spaces.”

The Ministry of Health, Ana Barcelo, issued a resolution with 22 restrictions that due to take place with almost immediate effect, last night.

The Councilor for Health, José Galiano, admitted, “most of the outbreaks are of social origin, detected after meetings of family and friends.

He continued: “Keep calm and don’t forget that we are fighting an invisible enemy.”

In general, the new rules are:
– No more than six people meeting publicly or privately.
 – 50% capacity rules also apply to shopping centres, commercial premises, retail and professional services, public markets, hotels and accommodation.
– Restaurants (inside and outside) may not exceed 50% capacity, with tables of no more than six people, keeping a distance of 1.5 metres.
– Similarly, places of worship, cultural activities, cinemas, theatres, auditoriums, museums, exhibition halls and libraries all have capacity limited to 50%.
– Playgrounds and public gardens will remain closed.
– Outdoor recreation centres will open from 8am to 10pm.
– Wakes and funerals are allowed up to 25 in open spaces, 15 in closed.

The full list of restrictions, signed off only last night, can be found on the City Council website at https://bit.ly/378Yw0J