Date Published: 13/01/2021
ARCHIVED - Murcia region prohibits social gatherings for 14 days
ARCHIVED ARTICLE
Social contact must be limited to those who live in the same household
Today the Murcia region announced the highest number of covid cases for a single day since the pandemic began, more than 2,000 cases diagnosed in a 24 hour period.
Although it’s easy for the “covid critics” to make accusations of scaremongering when preoccupation at this level of cases is expressed, this is a worryingly high level of contagions.
To put this into context; there were more new cases in just this one 24 hour period, than during the whole of the first lockdown of the pandemic; when the first lockdown concluded on the 21st June, the Murcia region had only reported a total of 1569 cases since the beginning of the pandemic.
In response to what regional president, Fernando López Miras, called “worrying figures”, the regional Covid Monitoring Committee has taken the decision to prohibit ALL social gatherings outside of the immediate home environment from Thursday, for a 14 day period.
There are some exceptions such as such as those who live alone, who may remain in extended cohabiting units; couples or married couples living in different addresses; as well as minors whose parents live in different addresses.
The regional president accepts that those who work together must logically have some contact as work colleagues and must communicate with clients, but masks MUST be worn at all times during these interactions. Those who need to share a vehicle in order to go to work can do so, but must wear masks.
The public are still permitted to go to church, go to work, go to school, shop, go to the cinema etc, but must wear a mask at all times, maintain social distancing and venues such as churches must respect the maximum capacity limits already set and respect social distancing.
The regional president said that he fully understands that this is a “big ask” from a covid-weary public, and maintains his stance that if we all act responsibly, then the measures currently in place will yield results.
“We need a collective response” he said.
What this new decree means is that any form of social gathering is prohibited, both at home and in public locations, so it is now prohibited for one couple to meet another anywhere even for a cup of coffee.
No, you can´t meet friends for a coffee, even on the outdoor terrace of a seafront bar.
No, you can´t pop in to see the next-door neighbour for a chat.
No, you can´t go for a walk with friends.
No, you can´t invite a friend over for a cuppa and to catch up on local gossip.
Not for the next 14 days.
The full wording of the decree will be published in the BORM on Thursday and take immediate effect for 14 days.
The regional president also indicated that he would be speaking to all of the mayors of the 45 municipalities following the press conference this evening and would be requesting that ALL non-essential events which could encourage members of the public to gather, be suspended for the moment.
During the day the leader of the PSOE socialist party had already made this request to socialist-run councils in the region. Águilas has already cancelled cultural events and council-run events.
This afternoon Spain also reported its worst ever covid figures, but the national health ministry refuses to implement a national lockdown or authorise the autonomous regions to undertake this measure themselves.