ARCHIVED - Murcia government advises against gatherings of more than 50 people

Weddings and birthday parties are among the events under threat as the public is asked to cooperate in combating Covid-19

Please follow Murcia Today on Facebook to keep up to date with all the latest updates locally for the Region of Murcia and the main information for the rest of Spain: https://www.facebook.com/MurciaToday/. Please note, Facebook is limiting the number of posts we are able to make in local groups, and the sheer volume of incoming information is overwhelming, so all updates and cancellations of events etc in the Murcia region will be posted on this main page and may not be shared into many local groups. PLEASE help to support the flow and sharing of information by following this page and sharing the information into groups to which you have access.

After the number of coronavirus cases confirmed in the Region of Murcia doubled again on Wednesday, rising from 11 to 22, the regional government strengthened its measures and recommendations to combat the crisis – and few are disputing now that this is indeed a crisis on many different levels – by ordering the closure of leisure centres for the elderly and recommending that gatherings of more than 50 people should not be held.

The latest analysis of the situation by the health authorities in Murcia concludes that unless strict measures are imposed now the outbreak will become as dramatic in the Region as it already is in Madrid, where the restrictions and closures are only slightly less drastic than those in force in Italy. For this reason Fernando López Miras, the president of the regional government, and Manuel Villegas, the minister for Health in Murcia, announced during a press conference on Wednesday evening that the “drastic measures” announced will remain in force until at least 31^st March, and that they may be strengthened in the meantime, depending on how the situation develops.

Among the specific measures announced are the following:

- All activities involving more than 1,000 people in enclosed spaces are cancelled.

- It is recommended that any event at which more than 50 people are expected should not go ahead. This includes not only public events but also private ones such as weddings, funerals, communion celebrations and even visits to the theatre or cinema.

- Leisure centres for the elderly are closed until at least 31^st March, while visitors to day centres and residences are to be limited. Residents of such centres are advised to remain on the premises.

- Sports events at which large numbers of spectators are expected are to be held behind closed doors.

- The 32 public transport companies in the Region of Murcia and all taxi drivers are required to intensify their cleaning and hygiene protocols.

Of course, for these measures to be effective the collaboration of members of the public is required, and Sr López Miras called upon all Murcianos to show their solidarity. This extends to everyday life, and during the press conference it was pointed out, for example, that it makes no sense to avoid going to an event and then to enjoy a tapa in the Plaza de las Flores in the centre of Murcia, where there might be 200 people packed into a small space, albeit outdoors.

On the other hand, Sr López Miras explained that events with more than 50 people will be allowed “if it can be shown that there is no health risk” – although how that might be proved remains a subject for speculation.

The measures concerning leisure centres for the elderly affect only 17 establishments, but between them they have as many as 100,000 users belonging to the sector of the population which is at most risk from Covid-19.

Click here for the latest official figures regarding the coronavirus epidemic in Spain and the measures implemented by the national and regional governments.

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 man who is believed to have contracted the virus from a contact in Alicante, who originally contracted the virus in Madrid.

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

10 – Female Erasmus student who returned from Italy to Cartagena.

11 – Unidentified female patient who was infected in Madrid.

12 to 22 – 6 new cases reported on Wednesday morning and five more during the evening, including two in whom the virus was contracted within the Region 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!

Please follow Murcia Today on Facebook to keep up to date with all the latest updates locally for the Region of Murcia and the main information for the rest of Spain: https://www.facebook.com/MurciaToday/. Please note, Facebook is limiting the number of posts we are able to make in local groups, and the sheer volume of incoming information is overwhelming, so all updates and cancellations of events etc in the Murcia region will be posted on this main page and may not be shared into many local groups. PLEASE help to support the flow and sharing of information by following this page and sharing the information into groups to which you have access.