Laurence Dollimore
ANDALUCIA will close its external borders until November 9 in a bid to tackle coronavirus, it has been announced.
Junta president Juanma Moreno revealed the measure at a press conference tonight following a meeting with scientific experts.
The closure will begin on midnight on Friday (00:00), and last until 00:00 of November 9.
Meanwhile, the curfew of 11pm to 6am will remain in place across the region, meaning hospitality businesses must close at 10:30pm.
Moreno added that the mobility restrictions applied in municipalities and the city of Granada will be extended to Jaen and Sevilla, which are at a ‘level 4’ risk.
It means people cannot leave their towns unless they have one of the accepted exceptional reasons (work, legal, medical etc).
Additionally perimiters will be closed in Cordoba sur, Jerez and the Sierra de Cadiz, as well as the Vega de Malaga.
In total there will be 448 municipalities that will be closed off until November 9 (more details to follow).
Social gatherings will continue to be limited to six except for those who live together.
“Nothing will be the same as before,” stressed Moreno, adding that everyone must play their part in what is the most serious situation the region has ever faced.
A staggering 57% of the region’s hospital admissions are currently produced in Sevilla and Granada.
The incidence rate of the virus in the region has skyrocketed this week, leading to the u-turn on the border closures.
The region is now planning to free up a total of 4,500 beds for the virus in its hospitals.
Meanwhile 46.4% of ICU beds are still free and there are 80 million masks and 892 respirators ready to be used, meaning a collapse of the health system is much less likely this time around.
Do we know what this will mean for a non-resident who was intending to move to Andalucía to establish residence? Thanks!