Today, the Govern Balear released its latest update and, as anticipated, announced a mild easing of the restrictions. We are happy to report that the 02:00 finish time, which was scaled back to 01:00 in July, has been reinstated.
It may not seem much, but the extra hour of trade is highly welcomed and bars and restaurants will now be able to stay open later. In addition, the number of people allowed on tables outside increases to 12 and inside to 8. These new measures come into effect from midnight tonight, Monday 6 September.
Between the hours of 02:00 and 06:00, social gatherings between non-cohabitants remain off-limits, although this rule has been scrapped on our sister island of Formentera (as well as Mallorca).
Unfortunately, dancefloors are still forbidden.
Epidemiologically, the situation has improved with active cases of Covid-19 and hospitalisations continuing to fall daily. The 14-day incidence per 100K people is today at 318. That equates to an 18% reduction in less than a week. There have been no further fatalities since our last update, but the figures still keep Ibiza in the 'extreme risk' category, as defined by the Govern.
Given that unregulated and unlicensed gatherings are taking place in private settings, we ask again that the politicians and authorities take a sensible and measured approach and reopen live music events and organised parties, in line with other European cities and holiday destinations.
There is great enthusiasm to extend the season and the period September to October is usually a lucrative period for tourists with clubbing sensibilities. We hope that the next review, in one weeks time, will lead to further easing and make that a genuine possibility, if the epidemiological situation continues to improve.
