Isha Sesay
THE Government of the Balearic Islands has ruled out enforcing a home confinement on November 9.
Unlike other autonomous governments considering the move, infectious diseases spokesman Javier Arranz said that ‘for now this would be an extreme measure’.
Speaking at his weekly evaluation meeting, Arranz explained the closing of Balearic airports and ports would be introduced before confining the population to their homes.
“We would first close the islands and shield them from the entry of new infections if the epidemiological situation worsens,” he said.
“Home confinement is a very tough measure and not currently on the table.”
Arranz stressed that the incidence of coronavirus in the Balearics is ‘one of the lowest in Spain’, and that it is ‘important to evaluate if the latest restrictions are successful in slowing down the rate of infections’.
These included capacity reductions in restaurants, gyms and shopping centres, with bars also being banned to use their countertops to serve customers.
Ibiza faced even tougher measures, ordering the nationwide curfew to start at 10pm and prohibiting the use of indoor areas at bars and restaurants.
Manacor in Mallorca was also put under a perimeter closure for a minimum of 15 days due to the municipality seeing a surge in COVID-19 cases.
According to the latest figures, there are 3,279 active cases in Balearic Islands.
Out of this number, 193 people are hospitalised with 49 in intensive care.
