ARCHIVED - Valencian government announces tighter restrictions from Saturday as incidence rate soars

Bar and restaurant opening hours are reduced with "selective" curfews across the region's three provinces, including Alicante, until July 25.

As the incidence rate soars to over 200 cases per 100,000 of population, placing it at "high risk", the regional government in Valencia has "taken action" and will tighten restrictions from 00.01am on Saturday, July 10.

Just weeks ago, the region had the lowest rate in Spain, dropping as low as 26 cases per 100,000 but a rapid rebound has led to it becoming the autonomous region with the fifth highest Covid incidence in the country, the latest rate published last night being 239.55, almost ten times higher.

The principal reason behind not only the soaring rate in the region, but also in all of the country, is the surge in cases amongst young adults, who are largely unvaccinated, and the spread of new variants. Click for the latest Spanish figures.

Ahead of today's meeting of the Interdepartmental Commission, where the restrictions were agreed, President of the regional government, Ximo Puig, warned that "decisions will be made" to stop the continued spread of coronavirus, and made it clear a tightening of measures was necessary.

The new restrictions mean: 

* A limitation of night mobility between 1am and 6am in "selected municipalities" with higher incidence rates.

* Bars, restaurants and hotels must close at 12.30am (with last service at midnight). Tables outside will have a maximum capacity of 10 people and six indoors.

* Mass events will have reduced capacities from 4,000 to 3,000 inside and from 3,000 to 2,000 outside.

* A decree on drinking/partying in the street (botellón drinking) will be modified to be classified as a "serious offence".

* Social gatherings (public and private) will be limited to a maximum of 10 people. 

* The sale of alcohol will be prohibited from 8pm.

*Police presence and surveillance will be stepped up and reinforced.

The measures, though pending approval by the Supreme Court, will come into effect from the early hours of Saturday.

President of the regional government, Ximo Puig has continually expressed concerns over the "worrying rebound" across the region, which currently has 10,272 cases of Covid detected in the last two weeks, and announced today that the vaccination campaign will once again be "accelerated" with vaccinations for young people being brought forward.

IMAGE: Archive