Laurence Dollimore
THE central Government has now officially declared a state of alarm and imposed a curfew from 11pm to 6am.
During these hours it is forbidden to leave home except for justified reasons, such as a medical emergency or to go to work.
All regions must implement the curfew but have the power to move the starting and ending times i.e from 10pm to 12am and 5am to 7am respectively.
Meanwhile they will be granted legal cover to impose stricter measures on mobility to fight coronavirus.
So what does that mean in Andalucia?
The southernmost region currently has 1,970 coronavirus patients in its hospitals, of which 249 are in intensive care. That is a 51% increase from a week ago.
If the numbers continue as they are, there will be more patients within seven days than there were at the height of the first wave on March 30 (2,709).
For that reason, Andalucia has taken several targeted measures to battle the virus in the most affected provinces and municipalities.
To the restrictions detailed below will be added the curfew, which until stated otherwise, is from 11pm to 6am across the whole region, starting tonight.
Granada sealed off: On Friday, the Junta had already decided to bring in the curfew for Granada city and 32 of its municipalities. From midnight tonight, these areas will also be closed off, meaning residents cannot leave or exit, unless for justified reasons (work, medical, legal).
The municipalities affected by the perimeter closure are Albolote, Alfacar, Alhendin, Armilla, Atarfe, Cajar, Cenes de la Vega, Cijuela, Cullar-Vega, Chauchina, Churriana de la Vega, Dílar, Fuente Vaqueros, Gojar, Guevejar, Huetor-Vega , Jun, Lachar, Maracena, Monachil, Ogijares, Otura, Peligros, Pinos-Genil, Pinos-Puente, Pulianas, Santa Fe, Viznar, La Zubia, Las Gabias, Valderrubio and Vegas del Genil.
The Junta closed down the capital after seeing the incidence rate of the virus reach 968.9 cases per 100,000 inhabitants on Friday.
The province also has the highest hospital pressure in the region.
Face-to-face teaching at the university has also been suspended and colleges/night schools must close at 10pm.
Sevilla, Cordoba and Jaen: The Junta has also tightened restrictions in Sevilla, Cordoba and Jaen following a steep rise in cases.
The capitals of each province must see bars and restaurants close at 10pm, from today.
They must also not exceed a 50% capacity both indoors and outdoors.
All business and commercial premises open to the public cannot exceed 50% capacity and must also close by 10pm, with the exception of pharmacies, vets, doctors, petrol stations and other essential services.
These measures will be in force for 14 days and will also be applied to 13 other municipalities in Andalucia.
They are: Los Gallardos (Almeria), Baeza and Quesada (Jaen) and Estepa, Lora de Estepa, Gilena, Marinaleda, Herrera, La Roda de Andalucia, Badolatosa, Utrera, Castillo de las Guardas and Pedrera, all in Sevilla.
In these municipalities, in addition to the capitals of Sevilla, Cordoba and Jaen, meetings at home and in the street of more than six people will be prohibited, parks and gardens will be closed and visits to nursing homes will be banned, among other restrictions.
Also, weddings, religious ceremonies and celebrations are limited to a 50% capacity.
The maximum number of people who can attend open-air wakes is 15 and 10 if it is indoors.
Masks: Andalucia has also toughened up its mask regulations.
Anyone practicing individual sport in public spaces (running, cycling, skating etc), where the minimum safety distance cannot be kept, must wear the facial protective gear.
Additionally you must now wear a mask at all times when in a bar or restaurant, ‘except at the time of ingestion’.
In other words, you must only remove your mask when you are drinking or eating.
In terms of sport in the open air, the use of a mask will be mandatory if the interpersonal safety distance cannot be guaranteed at all times.
As for all other sport activities, the rules from the June 19 decree will remain in place.
It is not believed you need to wear a mask while playing tennis or padel tennis.
A Marbella padel club told the Olive Press: “Players will need to wear masks outside of the court and around the club, but not while playing.”
The Andalucian Federation of Padel is expected to issue guidance on Monday.
