15 Dec, 2020 @ 15:10
1 min read

Spain’s Andalucia warns it will ‘modify’ loosening of COVID-19 restrictions if figures worsen this week, threatening Christmas plans for thousands

Shutterstock_1454936459
Five exceptions that permit travel between provinces in Spain regardless of COVID-19 lockdown Phase

ANDALUCIA could modify the loosening of restrictions set to come into force from December 18 if coronavirus figures continue to worsen, the president has warned. 

Speaking on COPE radio this morning, Juanma Moreno said he was concerned by a possible surge in the incidence rate of the virus over the coming days. 

“The virus continues to be among us and just one bank holiday weekend – while bars are closed from 6pm – has seen an uptick,” he said. 

Moreno
‘ANYTHING CAN CHANGE’: Juanma Moreno will analyse coronavirus figures with experts on Thursday to decide whether or not to ‘modify’ the planned loosening of restrictions

The long weekend which ended last Tuesday is feared to be behind an upward trend in several regions and at the national level this week. 

For this reason, Moreno said, he has not ruled out modifying the rules set to come into force from December 18, including allowing for travel between the region’s eight provinces and allowing bars and restaurants to operate a late/dinner service between 8pm and 10:30pm. 

It means thousands of people’s plans to travel home for Christmas – either from another province or region – could be at stake.

A meeting will be held with health experts on Thursday to analyse the latest figures and to decide whether or not to go forward with phase two of the de-escalation strategy. 

Between December 18 and January 10, under the current plans, shops will also be allowed to open until 10:30pm and the curfew will start an hour later at 11pm and end an hour earlier at 6am.

There are also extra special measures in place between December 23 and January 6 which allow for people from outside the region to return home to visit family, while the curfew is to be extended to 1:30am on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.

“If the figures worsen, we will have to limit some of these measures… they could see some editing,” Moreno said, “Everything is changeable, for better or for worse.” 

On the ongoing battle with the hospitality industry, Moreno said he was concerned for businesses but said he had no other option ‘when the committee of experts says it is the best way to avoid deaths.’ 

It comes after the Horeca foundation, representing thousands of business owners, formally cut ties with the government and warned of protests.

“I understand the difficulties that can happen with such limitations, but to approve them is the responsible thing to do when experts and Public Health tell you it will save lives,” he said.

“The virus is still here and we must advance with care to try to control the pandemic.”

Laurence Dollimore

Laurence Dollimore is a Spanish-speaking, NCTJ-trained journalist with almost a decade’s worth of experience.
The London native has a BA in International Relations from the University of Leeds and and an MA in the same subject from Queen Mary University London.
He earned his gold star diploma in multimedia journalism at the prestigious News Associates in London in 2016, before immediately joining the Olive Press at their offices on the Costa del Sol.
After a five-year stint, Laurence returned to the UK to work as a senior reporter at the Mail Online, where he remained for two years before coming back to the Olive Press as Digital Editor in 2023.
He continues to work for the biggest newspapers in the UK, who hire him to investigate and report on stories in Spain.
These include the Daily Mail, Telegraph, Mail Online, Mail on Sunday and The Sun and Sun Online.
He has broken world exclusives on everything from the Madeleine McCann case to the anti-tourism movement in Tenerife.

GOT A STORY? Contact newsdesk@theolivepress.es or call +34 951 273 575 Twitter: @olivepress

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Points Based System To Analyse Food Safety At Bars And Restaurants
Previous Story

BE SAFE: Bars and restaurants in Valencia to be marked on food hygiene

Palma de Mallorca
Next Story

More than half of bars and restaurants in Spain’s Mallorca expected to close under Level 4 of COVID-19 restrictions

Latest from Coronavirus

Go toTop

More From The Olive Press

Nie wieder streichen

Die langlebige Fassadenbeschichtung mit 20 Jahren Garantie Der Außenanstrich Ihres

Two killed and 28 injured after Spanish bus crashes on mountain road in southern France

AT least two people have died following a horror bus