Isha Sesay
A MUNICIPALITY in Mallorca has been closed off due to a surge in coronavirus infections.
The measure, announced by Balearic Health Minister Patricia Gomez, will come into force with immediate effect and last for a minimum of 15 days.
The perimeter closures will be applied to the centre of Manacor as well as the urbanisations of Son Talent, Puig de Son Talent and Jordi des Raco.
Those who live and work in these areas will also face a series of other restrictions.
Residents will only be permitted to cross the perimeter if they have a justified reason.
This includes going to work, taking children to school, looking after an elderly or disabled person, going to the doctor or taking an exam.
Documentation must be provided in all of the above cases to prove the need to leave the area.
All restaurants and bars in these areas are prohibited from using their inside spaces.
They must also close at 10pm.
The terraces of these establishments can open but only by reducing their capacity to 50% with staff at all times guaranteeing the safety distance between customers.
As with the rest of the Balearic Islands, tables can sit a group of no more than six people.
Shops must also reduce their capacity by half and set visiting times must be established for those over 65 years old.
Schools in these areas will remain open in addition to sporting venues such as gyms.
Despite residents being allowed to move freely in the area, Gomez has asked that they stay at home and only carry out essential activities.
Manacor has been put under these restrictions due to accumulating an incidence of 458 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.
This is the highest incidence in the entire Balearic Islands, giving a positivity rate of 14.3%.
It comes as multiple towns across Spain have been closed off due to recording a worrying number of COVID-19 cases.
In the Malaga province, there are 19 towns which have been deemed as being at high or extreme risk and therefore will be closed off.
All municipalities in the southern region of Cordoba will also have border closures and residents will not be permitted to leave or enter except for exceptional circumstances.
