Date Published: 04/01/2021
ARCHIVED - On January 5th and 6th bars, restaurants and cafes must close by 18:00 across the Murcia Region
ARCHIVED ARTICLE
Hostelry establishments will not be permitted to re-open in the evenings
The rising numbers of coronavirus cases in the Region of Murcia has resulted in the application of more restrictions across the region and the regional health authority is particularly concerned that families will be tempted to mix for one last time in the festive season on the evening of Three Kings on 5th January and during the Bank Holiday on the 6th.
Although the normal Cabalgatas have been cancelled, there are still scaled-down events spread around the region in some municipalities, although strict social distancing is being implemented and it’s really not advisable to try and go along to anything unless a seat has been pre-purchased for the very limited festivities provided for the children as major efforts are being made this year to prevent crowds gathering anywhere.
For this reason the Covid Monitoring Committee agreed on Monday that bars, cafes and restaurants will close on January 5th and 6th at 18:00 and will not be permitted to re-open for the remainder of the evening as has been the case on the main festive days over the Christmas period.
Covid Monitoring Committee spokesman, Jaime Pérez, stressed that this measure is specifically intended to avoid the same situations that occurred on the evenings of December 24th and 31st when the hostelry sector closed at the same time but was permitted to re-open at 21:00 and streets were packed, causing significant concern about the spread of the virus.
Nine municipalities return to phase 1
Effective from this Tuesday, January 5th; Villanueva del Río Segura, Fortuna, Jumilla, San Pedro del Pinatar, Las Torres de Cotillas, La Unión and Santomera, will join Abanilla and Los Alcázares, with their external municipal borders closed.
Crossing these municipal borders will only be permitted for essential reasons, meaning those living in these areas will not be allowed to leave the municipality other than for essential purposes, and conversely, residents living in other municipalities will not be permitted to enter.
Restrictions increased in 12 other municipalities:
Twelve municipalities are now considered to be at high risk and may possibly join the nine municipalities already in confinement next week: Murcia City municipality which includes Sucina, Corvera, Gea y Truyols, Cartagena, Lorca, Molina de Segura, Lorquí, Mula, Ceutí, Cieza, Alguazas, San Javier, Ricote and Yecla. In these municipalities, additional restrictions will now be imposed; the capacity inside bars and restaurants is reduced to 30%, although outdoor terrace areas may be occupied to 100% of their capacity; consumption seated or standing at the bar is prohibited; the capacity in shops is reduced to 50%; parks and gardens must now close at 7:00 p.m. and social gatherings are limited to a maximum of six people; only up to 3 people can travel inside a private vehicle (maximum capacity of 50% in vehicle occupancy).
The restrictions will be reviewed again next Monday.