ARCHIVED - Events in Cartagena jeopardized by coronavirus as La Manga hotels delay opening

Various hotels remain closed around the Mar Menor as reservations are cancelled

As the coronavirus epidemic gathers momentum in the Region of Murcia, where the latest count is 17 diagnosed cases, the Town Hall of Cartagena has added its voice to those recommending that people avoid taking part in events where large numbers of people are present in enclosed spaces, as well as insisting on the need to take basic precautionary measures such as washing hands frequently.

The first case of Covid-19 detected in Cartagena was reported on Wednesday morning, and already the effects of the epidemic are being felt throughout the community. Those involved in the tourism sector are bracing themselves for a severe reduction in the number of visitors expected over the Easter Holidays, and already the Hotel Doblemar in La Manga del Mar Menor has announced that it has put back its opening date for 2020 from 11th March until at least May.

It had been anticipated that the Doblemar would be busy in March and April as sun-seeking tourists began to arrive from elsewhere in Spain and from abroad, but a rash of cancellations and the suspension of the State-funded Imserso travel scheme for Spanish pensioners has left the management with little choice but to remain closed for the time being. Manager Inocencio García explains that as of 11th March an occupancy rate of 80 per cent had been anticipated, while expressing his disappointment at the government recommendations that travel should be limited.

The reality, though, is that after the setbacks of the winter, including the destruction of two “gota fría” storms and Storm Gloria and the increased concern over the condition of the Mar Menor, many other hotels in the area will be resigning themselves to a far from prosperous start to the summer of 2020: those which were planning to open in March were anticipating occupation rates of around 65 per cent, but even that now seems far from likely.

At the same time, a host of events in and around Cartagena have already been cancelled or postponed, including the Ruta de las Fortalezas endurance race and an international pre-Olympic para-badminton tournament which would have brought 350 visitors to the city. With uncertainty over the immediate future at a maximum, practically no scheduled event is certain to go ahead, and the Semana Santa processions – which begin earlier in Cartagena than in any other place in Spain – are very much in doubt.

Other sports events have also been hit hard, from international level right down to local inter-school sporting leagues, where all fixtures have been suspended for at least the next fortnight.

Meanwhile, the Town Hall has suspended a number of its own events including a lunch on 12th March which was due to be attended by 400 women aged between 50 and 60 and another in La Palma on Sunday 15th March to which 200 people were invited. Further cancellations will be decided upon depending on how the situation develops over the next few days, while Town Hall employees are being encouraged to keep a prudent distance from members of the public while dealing with enquiries and to make use of had sanitizer products being made available in council offices.

All over the region other events are falling victim to the spread of the virus, including many hosted by the Chamber of Commerce and other commercial association and federations, while the Chamber of Commerce has cancelled forthcoming missions to Asia. The regional Instituto de Fomento has cancelled their attendance at eight international trade fairs and congresses including the Vinexpo Hongkong 2020 wine event and the Milan Furniture Fair, and back in Cartagena the regional parliament building has closed its doors to the regular visits by groups from schools throughout the Region.

The Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena has not yet closed its doors but is prepared for a scenario in which it might be forced to do so – as is the case with the Universidad de Murcia and the UCAM university.

In short, in Cartagena as in most of the rest of Spain all events scheduled and publicized should be treated as being in jeopardy if they have not been cancelled already, and members of the public are advised to think at least twice about attending them even if it is confirmed that they are going ahead.

Patients diagnosed with Covid-19 in Murcia

1 - A 27-year-old woman who contracted the virus in Madrid while attending the ARCO contemporary arts fair. In isolation at home.

2 and 3 - A 5-month-old baby and her mother, both of whom had travelled to and from Madrid by bus, returning to Totana. In the Arrixaca hospital in El Palmar.

4 – A 28-year-old friend of the first patient who lives in Valencia but had gone to Madrid with her friend and was diagnosed positive in Murcia. In isolation at home.

5 – A woman who also contracted the virus in Madrid. In isolation at home.

6 and 7 – Two men aged 70 and 26 who were infected in Madrid. In isolation at home.

8 – A 62-year-old man who is believed to have contracted the virus from a contact in Alicante, who originally contracted the virus in Madrid. This case was detected in Puerto de Mazarrón.

9 - A 40-year-old woman with "mild "symptoms who is believed to have contracted the virus in Madrid.

10 – A female Erasmus student who returned from Italy to Cartagena.

11 – An Unidentified female patient who was infected in Madrid.

12 to 17 – the new cases reported on Wednesday morning (further details will be added when known).

Click here for the latest official figures regarding the coronavirus epidemic in Spain and the measures implemented by both the national government and the regional government of Murcia.

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!