Daily updates

The leader of the PP (equivalent of Conservatives) in the Valencia Region has joined in with the call to use the EU covid passport to enter hostelry and concert venues. He reckons it would avoid further restrictions on opening hours and encourage people to get their vaccines. That's the head of both the main parties in the Valencian region putting their weight behind it.

The hostelry associations, however, have said they would reject the idea as it would cause crowds at the entrances to bars and restaurants. They also point out it could breach data protection laws in Spain.

From my point of view, having to show the certificate every time you wanted to go for a cup of coffee would not work. How many of these smaller establishments would have the technology to read the QR codes? Maybe the big places and hotels but the loads of pavement cafes with just a few tables would probably go to the wall if they had to do it. Plus that would disenfranchise many of the younger groups from going out for a drink or a meal if they haven't had both jabs yet.

Probably sounds a good idea to those in their little government offices but probably not feasible at grass roots level in the real world.

Too much being made of this. If bars have to do this they will find a way. Probably tag it onto a credit card system.

We are waiting for it to be introduced in Ireland probably from 26th July for anybody who wants to dine inside. We will see what it looks like.

Bee

marcliff wrote:

From my point of view, having to show the certificate every time you wanted to go for a cup of coffee would not work. How many of these smaller establishments would have the technology to read the QR codes? .

I dont have a smart phone and thus QR codes are NBG to me. I have a little plastic card they filled in by pen. The only tech required to read it is wetware.........

You can print off the covid certificate, the Valencia Region one and the EU covid passport, which contains the QR code so you do not need a smart phone. I don't have a smart phone either but would have to carry the printed form around if this ever comes in.

The interdepartmental heads are meeting on Thursday to discuss the restrictions in the Valencia Region.
Current cumulative cases in the region have now risen to over 500 per 100,000 which is lower than the national Spanish one of 622 per 100,000.

The cases in the 18 to 29 age group has, however, risen to over 1,000 per 100,000 in Valencia but has reached 1,800 per 100,000 in the whole of Spain.

The current curfew in 32 towns with a population of over 5,000 from 1 to 6 am is due to end this weekend but it would appear it will be extended if the supreme court agrees. There are now 251 municipalities out of the 352 in the Valencia Region now have a high risk incidence and the talk is that around 100 municipalities with a high risk and over 5,000 population will have the curfew imposed if the supreme court agrees. This would be along with a maximum of 10 in private and public meetings (except for members of the same household) but this would also have to have the agreement of the supreme court. Of the 100 with the highest risk, not many are in our particular area but places like Santa Pola are.

The current restrictions on facemask wearing (only in crowded areas outdoors if the distance of 1.5m cannot be maintained) would continue with no changes.

The hostelry opening hours (currently closed at 0030 with no service after midnight) is being rethought and may be reduced again due to the increase in cases.

The number of new cases today was 2,112 which is down on the weekend figures but, on a good note, no deaths were recorded in the region today.

The use of the EU covid passport to enter establishments such as bars, restaurants and cinemas, has not been mentioned again.

As said, the announcement on any changes will be made on Thursday and the full press conference can be accessed on line with Antenna3.

Oh, and you can purchase the covid self test kits from pharmacies as from today. Cost between 3 and 7 euro but are not acceptable for travel purposes.

Congress has just confirmed that the wearing of facemasks outdoors is no long mandatory.
They are still required indoors and outdoors where the distance of 1.5m from others cannot be guaranteed but will not be required in open spaces.

This is despite several regions, including the Basque Region, asking for them to be reintroduced. They are now going to see if they can make them compulsory outdoors under the powers as an autonomous community.

The Valencian government has proposed that the current curfews in 32 municipalities be extended to 77 towns. These are towns of over 5,000 people with the highest rise in the number of cases and will affect approximately half of the population of the Community.

The towns that are contemplated having a curfew from 1am to 6am in the Alicante Province are:

Alfàs del Pi, Alicante, Banyeres de Mariola, Benidorm, Callosa d'en Sarrià, Callosa de Segura, Calp, Dénia, Gata de Gorgos, La Nucía, Muro de Alcoy, Ondara, Pego, Santa Pola, Sant Vicent del Raspeig, Sax , Teulada and Vila Joiosa.

The majority of curfewed towns would still be in the Valencia Region.

The curfew, along with maintaining the maximum allowed to meet in both private and public places, must be agreed by the Valencian supreme court.

Other restrictions, such as opening hours for establishments, will be announced tomorrow.

The interdepartmental meeting to decide on any new restrictions in the Valencia Region has ended and Ximo Puig has held a press conference to explain them.

He started by saying the low number of deaths in the community is to be applauded but the rise in the number of cases, especially the young, is a cause for concern. He then told the conference that the community will receive extra vaccines in August to push the vaccine campaign forward and to combat the increased threat from the Delta variant (the Indian one) which now accounts for 90% of the cases in the community.

The curfew for the 77 municipalities as mentioned yesterday will go ahead if the Valencian supreme court agrees along with the continuation of meetings limited to 10 people in public and private places. These measures will be in place until August 16th if agreed.

At shows and sporting venues, the number attending indoors is limited to 50% of the capacity. The capacity in swimming pools is also limited to 50%.

All current restrictions, hospitality opening times, social distancing, wearing of facemasks, smoking, bar and restaurant capacities etc are unchanged but extended until August 16th. He did say that they recommend the wearing of the facemask in all areas even though it is not mandatory outdoors except where social distancing cannot be kept. He says the only exceptions should be on the beaches or in open parks.

I posted yesterday about the municipalities in the Alicante province which will be affected by the curfew imposed from 1am to 6am. This is a list of all those towns in the whole of Valencia:

Valencia
Albal, Alboraia, Alcàsser, Aldaia, Alfafar, Alginet, Almussafes, Benaguasil, Benetússer, Benifaió, Bétera, Buñol, Burjassot, Canals, Chiva, Foios, Gandia, Godella, L'Eliana, L'Olleria, Manises, Massamagrell, Massanassa, Meliana, Mislata, Museros, Oliva, Paiporta, Paterna, Picassent, La Pobla de Farnals, La Pobla de Vallbona, Puçol, El Puig, Rafelbunyol, Requena, Riba-roja de Túria, Rocafort, Sagunto, Silla, Sueca, Tavernes de la Valldigna, Turís, Utiel, Valencia, Vilamarxant, Xeraco and Xirivella.

Alicante
Alfàs del Pi, Alicante, Banyeres de Mariola, Benidorm, Callosa d'en Sarrià, Callosa de Segura, Calp, Dénia, Gata de Gorgos, La Nucía, Muro de Alcoy, Ondara, Pego, Santa Pola, Sant Vicent del Raspeig, Sax , Teulada and Vila Joiosa.

Castellon
Alcalà de Xivert, Almenara, Benicàssim, Burriana, Borriol, Onda, Oropesa del Mar, Peñíscola, Torreblanca, Vila-real and Vinaròs.

The Valencian Supreme Court has approved the curfews and limits of meetings until 16th August.