Ibiza bars and restaurants to reopen outdoor areas from March
It's the latest move in the Balearic government's coronavirus de-escalation plan
Ibiza bars and restaurants will be able to open outdoor areas from March.
In a report published today (18th) by Spanish news oulet The Olive Press, it has been announced that the Balearic government will begin their de-escalation plan on the 2nd March 2021, after coronavirus forced clubs, restaurants, bars and other businesses to close their doors.
From the beginning of March, bars and restaurants in Ibiza, Formentera, Menorca and Mallorca will be able to open terraces and outdoor spaces to the public. Providing the islands do not experience another surge in coronavirus cases, indoor spaces will be able to open from the 16th March - providing CO2 meters are installed inside the venues.
Although the news has been welcomed by many business owners, the Confederation of Business Associations in the Balearics have said that the news is "unsatisfactory" due to the fact that 80% of bars and restaurants in Mallorca do not have outdoor terraces.
According to the Majorca Daily Bulletin, the 14-day cumulative incidence of coronavirus cases in the Balearics is now down to 157.38. In Mallorca it is 112.38, which classifies the island as being at medium risk. The Balearics as a whole are still high risk (150-249), with Ibiza in the extreme category for 14 days.
Tourism is one of the most crucial industries in Spain, especially in nightclub hotspot Ibiza. Spain welcomes approximately 80 millions tourists a year, with the industry providing over 12% of the country’s GDP.
You can read more about the announcement via The Olive Press.
In October last year, it was announced that the Ibiza government has plans for rapid COVID-19 testing systems to open a tourist corridor in 2021. As reported by Nou Diari, the agreed protocol with the relative governing bodies, announced by Moroto, explains that every tourist arriving in the Balaeric or Canary Islands from another country, with an AI (infection rate) of 50 or less per 100,000 inhabitants in the last 14 days, will not undergo testing on arrival. Tourists who come from countries with an AI greater than 50 will have to present a negative test carried out less than 48 hours before the flight.
The world's best-known party island, Ibiza has been heavily impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Frequent restriction changes, extortionate fines and bans on dancing, parties and smoking have affected the music and hospitality industries hugely. But while it's hit locals hard, the pause in summer season has also given time for a reset and for the White Isle to regenerate. In a recent feature for DJ Mag, Anu Shukla travelled to Ibiza to investigate.
