Update: The Govern Balear has announced that the review period for these latest measures will be extended for an extra week until Friday 11 July.
The epidemiological situation is rapidly improving here on Ibiza and Formentera now, with very few, or some days zero, new cases of Covid-19 reported. The situation is improving in the rest of Spain too and, at the time of writing this, the National Government has just announced that the compulsory mask mandate, in the open air, will be lifted on Saturday 26 June.
There are currently only 10 people being treated in hospital, on Ibiza, for Covid-19 and only 1 person remains in intensive care. Most importantly, there have been no fatalities here for over 10 weeks now.
We have reached another important milestone in the Balearic Islands this week, with 51% of adult population having at least one shot of vaccine, while almost 31% are now fully immunised. Spain is getting closer to reaching the National Government’s target of herd immunity, when 70% of the population are vaccinated, and the full return to normal life can begin.
Due to the improving situation, the next phase of the easing of restrictions will begin this weekend. With the night-time curfew gone, nocturnal leisure activity can resume, with some important changes coming into effect on Saturday 19 June and running until the next review in 2 weeks.
Rules
Establishments with a music licence, known as café-concierto, are now allowed to resume their activities, in accordance with the regulations applicable to the restaurant sector. Therefore, the consumption of beverages and food, both outdoors and indoors, must be done seated at a table, with 6 people per table indoors and 12 outdoors.
Customers must make use of face masks when not consuming food or drink, or while moving around the venue. Closing time has been lifted until 02:00, as long as the establishment's license allows it. But dancing is still NOT allowed indoors or outdoors.
The activity of the establishments that carry out activities of a disco, party room or dance hall remain suspended.
The key information:
- Restaurants and bars. Outside: 100% of terrace space can be opened, with a maximum of 12 persons per table. Maximum of 250 people. Closed by 02:00
- Restaurants and bars. Inside: Up to 50% capacity. Up to 6 persons per table, with a maximum capacity of 150 persons. Customers can now sit at bars, as long as a maximum group of two persons and a distance of 1.5m is maintained to the nearest couple. Closed by 00:00.
- Shops are now open to 100% capacity and can remain open until 00:00
- Hotels can open their interior communal spaces up to 75% capacity.
- Social gatherings unlimited. (Although the Govern Balear does recommend being cautious in these meetings and to maintain all the general prevention measures established throughout the pandemic.)
- Beaches and children’s playgrounds Open all day but they must close from 22:00 to 06:00
- Cinemas can open their doors to 75% capacity as long as one empty seat is maintained between groups.
- Funerals, wakes and ceremonies are limited to 120 persons outside and 50 (or maximum 50%) inside. If the attendees are vaccinated, have recovered from the disease or have proof of a negative Covid-19 diagnostic test result, the limit can be raised to 200 outside and 100 inside.
- Weddings, baptisms and communions are limited to 120 persons outside and 50 (or maximum 50%) inside. If the attendees are vaccinated, have recovered from the disease or have proof of a negative Covid-19 diagnostic test result, the limit can be raised to 200 outside and 100 inside. Dancing at these events is also now permitted, as long as a mask is worn, and a designated person must be responsible for enforcing the rules, to prevent the spread of the disease.
- Museums, libraries, exhibitions and cultural centres can open up to 100% capacity.
- Excursions and outdoor activities unlimited, but distance must be maintained between participants who are not from the same ‘social bubble’.
- Sports events and competitions are able to invite spectators again, with 50% capacity (up to a maximum of 5000) outside, or 50% capacity (up to a maximum of 1500) inside
Smoking remains prohibited within a bar/restaurant environment, although this measure may also be reviewed by the national government soon. Masks remain compulsory in all public places until Saturday 26 June.
For information about international travel and Covid-19 diagnostic testing, please refer to our previous updates No.19 and No.20.