Date Published: 18/03/2020
ARCHIVED - Flights and ferry services suspended in the Canary and Balearic Islands
ARCHIVED ARTICLE
Travel restrictions isolate the Spanish island regions
Following the announcement by the regional government of the Balearics on Tuesday that ports and airports are to be closed to virtually all passenger traffic in order to restrict the movement of people to and from the islands during the coronavirus emergency the national government reinforced the measure later in the day, restricting all flights to and from both the Balearics and the Canaries.
As of midnight on Wednesday a restriction will be imposed on the number of flights taking off and landing in the two groups of islands in response to requests received not only from the president of the regional government in the Balearics, Francina Armengol, but also from her counterpart in the Canaries, Ángel Víctor Torres. The passenger transport ban affects all commercial and private flights and maritime voyages between mainland Spain and the islands, while the ports and marinas of the Canaries are effectively closed to all craft no matter where they are sailing from.
Aircraft and ships will still be allowed to travel in order to deliver and collect freight cargoes, but the only passengers allowed to disembark from the ferry services will be lorry drivers.
In the meantime, with airlines facing financial meltdown due to the progressive cancellation of more and more flights across the planet, many observers suspect that a near-complete closure of Spanish airspace could soon be announced.
Image: Brussels Airlines
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What to do if you are in the Region of Murcia and believe you may have contracted the virus
The regional government has set up a special helpline to supply information to members of the public (900 121212), and also urges people to call the 112 emergency services line if they suspect that they may have contracted the virus rather than going straight to hospital or to a medical centre. Medical staff will be sent to your home to test for the virus.
The Region’s public hospitals have limited the number of visitors to just one per patient.
Sensible precautions
The advice being issued to members of the public by medical authorities all over the world coincides on the following points:
- Wash hands frequently with either soap and water or a sanitiser gel
- Catch coughs and sneezes with disposable tissues – and throw the tissues away immediately after use before immediately washing your hands!
- If you don’t have a tissue, use your sleeve – and wash the item of clothing used at the next opportunity
- AVOID touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
- AVOID close contact with people who are unwell
- Don´t panic!
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