Safely back to the beaches
All councils in the region, except 10, have opened their beaches to residents this week
Sun bathers are back on many Costa beaches this week. El Arenal in Jávea welcomed its first visitors on Monday and some were making sure they were safe in case social distancing was not possible - so far there's plenty of room.
WITH the arrival of phase two of the exit plan in the Valencia region on Monday, town halls were allowed to open their beaches for bathing and sunbathing – but some councils opted not to jump in at the deep end and preferred to postpone the measure.
In the south of Alicante province only Guardamar del Segura, Orihuela and Elche allowed residents to make full use of their coastlines, while in the north of the province openings included Jávea and Calpe.
Costa Blanca News has gathered information from each of the coastal municipalities to inform readers of the different measures in place and the decisions that have been taken by each town hall in Alicante.
Our list starts in the far south of the province with Pilar de la Horadada and continues to Dénia in the north, then into Valencia province.
Pilar de la Horadada
The beaches were opened on Wednesday in Pilar de la Horadada. Councillor for environment Pedro Miguel Moya Albaladejo noted that some stretches had been damaged by the September floods and Storm Gloria in January, so these had to be repaired first.
Sr Albaladejo explained that wooden walkways have been removed and foot baths and toilets are out of action to reduce the risk of infection.
He warned that two-metre social distancing must be observed. The councillor added that they are waiting for the ministry for ecological transition to repair the ramp to Playa del Conde and stairs to Playa El Mojón and Cala Rocamar
Orihuela
The beaches in Orihuela Costa were opened on Monday.
Councillor for beaches Ramón Cabrera said users have to adhere to some restrictions.
According to Sr Cabrera, people have to observe fourmetre social distancing on the sand and two-metre social distancing in the sea.
Moreover, games on the beach are banned; footbaths and toilets are out of action; and the lifeguard service is not running until June 15.
Sr Cabrera asked beachgoers to behave responsibly, adhere to the rules and deposit any waste in the litter bins at the entrance to the beaches to reduce the risk of Covid-19 infection.
He warned that local police are patrolling to make sure the rules are not ignored.
Torrevieja
The town hall noted that they will open their beaches for sunbathing and swimming ‘during the week of June 8 to 14’.
Mayor Eduardo Dolón said council officers have been studying ‘all the measures that have to be taken’ so beaches can operate with maximum safety and control. He noted that the lifeguard service was not due to begin until June 15 but they are looking to see if the concessionary company can start a week early by using an emergency public contract.
Sr Dolón noted that the lifeguard service would be ‘indispensable’ to ensure that beaches are totally safe; to prevent large crowds of people; and halt any rule breaking.
He said the council is working to set up a beach access system which works ‘via a mobile phone app or reservations via telephone’.
Guardamar del Segura
Guardamar del Segura reopened their beaches for swimming and sunbathing on Monday and the town hall published an English translation of the safety restrictions, warning that fines can be imposed for failure to comply with them.
Local police, Red Cross and Protección Civil are controlling access to the sand to limit the number of people and ensure social distancing is maintained.
The rules include that they open at 09.00, before which parasols and chairs, etc are prohibited, only walking is allowed along a six-metre wide strip from the shore, there must be at least 4m between parasols or groups of people who live together, and 2m between people in the sea.
Smoking is not allowed, nor are ball games, spades, floats or mats, except children’s safety equipment. The foot washing taps, changing rooms and public toilets are not available, and appropriate footwear must be worn on the walkways.
Furthermore, any waste should be collected and deposited in bins located off the beach areas.
Access walkways to Playa Vivers have been closed for the national government to repair damage from Storm Gloria in January, and the north end of Playa Babilonia is also still closed.
Elche
Elche also allowed swimming but mayor Carlos González warned people to behave responsibly because the lifeguard service will not begin until the second or third week of June.
The police presence on the coast will be doubled and a beach management committee has been set up with council officers to draw up safety plans for the summer season.
They will draft a contingency plan to regulate capacity, access, social distancing and allocation of time slots.
They hope to establish common rules and regulations in coordination with Guardamar and Santa Pola town halls.
Santa Pola
The town hall announced they will not open their beaches until the week of June 8-15, complaining that the national and regional government instructions arrived on May 28, giving them less than a week’s notice to prepare information signs and organise how to control capacity.
Their main reason for not allowing swimming is they expect it to be very busy after two months of confinement, explained a council spokeswoman.
“All the measures that have to be taken to reopen the beaches with the utmost possible safety and control are being studied around the clock,” she said.
Their beaches also ‘require attention from machinery and workers’, because the council’s priority for the last two months has been disinfection.
Alicante
Alicante has opened its popular Postiguet, Urbanova and Albufereta beach whithout establishing time schedules and relying on residents to comply with social distancing measures.
Alicante and Campello held a meeting to coordinate measures as Campello shares its beach with Playa San Juan that belongs to Alicante city.
Campello
Campello beaches are all open with specific area to access and leave beaches. Local authorities are considering further action to ensure social distancing during the peak summer months of July and August.
Meanwhile local authorities are calling of individuals to show 'responsibility' regarding social distancing rules.
Sadly, Campello's Carrerlamar beach reported the first fatality by drowning of the season on the first day it was open (Monday).
Villlajoyosa
Villajoyosa council has opened its beaches 'to help reactivate the local economy'.
Security will be increased, with a visible police presence controlling access and numbers to prevent overcrowding, which will additionally be monitored by a police drone and tourism department staff.
The lifeguard service on Playa Centro will start tomorrow (Saturday) and from Monday, June 15 on Paradis, Varadero and La Caleta beaches. Cleaning and disinfection of railings, walkways and footpaths will take place several times a day. The entry and exit points will be changed to prevent crowds and sports activities will be restricted to two daily sessions – between 07.00 and 10.00 then from 21.00 to 22.00. Between 10.00 and 21.00 the beach will be for those who wish to relax and enjoy the sand and sea.
Benidorm
The council has stated that the beaches will not re-open until June 15 at the earliest.
Mayor Toni Perez announced that they plan to divide the beach into plots to keep control of numbers with a minimum safe distance between users.
It has also been implied that there will be time slots with either morning or afternoon sessions and that the beaches will have to be vacated over the lunch period so that they can be cleaned and furniture – sunbeds, etc, sanitised.
Albir
Alfaz del Pi beaches councillor Luis Morant announced that Raco de l'Albir beach will reopen on June 10.
Work will take place this week, to divide it into four different areas, with access controlled by security guards to monitor the capacity and ensure social distancing.
Police surveillance will be increased and a public address system will enable direct communication with bathers.
The number of lifeguards on patrol will be increased, as will the frequency of cleaning and disinfecting the promenade, toilets and benches.
Two areas will be controlled by the concession company that hires the sunbeds and accessories for watersports. These two zones have a maximum capacity of 300 people and access is only for those using either of those facilities. The other two zones will be for visitors who take their own towels, chairs and umbrellas.
Unfortunately, this year there will be no beach library or children's play area and that entire space will be allocated for those with mobility problems.
Altea
Altea has opened its beaches and will be patrolling the areas to ensure social distancing.
The Albir bay beach belonging to Altea is open (until the Cap Blanc campsite municipal limit), while the corner belonging to Albir is closed.
Calpe
The larger beaches in Calpe are open, but Morelló and Calalga coves are closed to the public since, due to their small size, it is difficult to maintain social distance.
On the beaches of Arenal, La Fossa and Cantal Roig, poles have been installed that mark the distance of six metres from the seashore to the sand. This area is only for walking. It is
also recommended to always walk along on the right.
The footbaths will not be operational at times due to disinfection.
All access to the beaches may be used and the life-saving and rescue services will begin tomorrow (Saturday) and this year there will be no games on the beaches and the fixed umbrella service will be free.
Moraira
In Moraira, the beaches of El Portet and Platgetes will be opened, but l'Ampolla will remain closed for maintenance workthat had been delayed due to the Covid-19 outbreak.
Benissa and Benitachell
Repair works due to damage cause by Storm Gloria are also responsible for Benissa and Benitachell not opening the popular Fustera and Cala Moraig beaches - other smaller coves in Benissa are open though.
Jávea
The beaches and coves of Jávea were officially open to sun-worshippers, walkers, and swimmers on Monday morning. People heading for the coast in the resort were urged to follow guidelines issued by the town hall to maintain social distancing and necessary hygiene measures to make the beach ‘a safe place’.
The local authority is considering additional measures to keep users informed during busy times; especially in the summer holiday season.
Meanwhile, a 10-point series of guidelines was issued.
The recommendations require people: to maintain a safety distance of two metres on the beach and in the water; to leave a six metre strip clear from the water’s edge for walkers and to access the sea; when walking and meeting other people to pass on the right; to obey the instructions of lifeguards, volunteers and police.
Other requirements include: to take hygiene precautions, wearing a mask when the area is busy; plan a visit and try and avoid peak times; reduce the time spent at the beach to allow others to enjoy it; avoid contact with fixed beach furniture and other objects; no smoking and take all rubbish away; and stay at home if you have any symptoms of Covid-19 and call the health service on 900 300 555.
Dénia
Beaches in Dénia are open but will have Red Cross lifeguards on duty from June 20, who have all been given training in how to organise bathers to guarantee social distancing in the water.
The first five to seven metres in front of the sea will be cleared for walkers; a similar space will be reserved for towels and sunbeds; and a third for ball games.
All foot-showers will be sealed off, as they are considered to be a likely place where Covid19 could be transmitted.
The 34 Red Cross workers on duty from Monday to Sunday have also been instructed to call the local police if they meet with any resistance that they are unable to deal with.
Chiringuitos, or beach bars, will open as normal by July 1 at the latest.
Cullera
Cullera's lifeguards are already on duty, with an extra 10 workers taken on to keep the situation under control.
Valencia and Castellón provinces
Gandia beaches opened on Monday, with the main esplanade – the Paseo Neptuno – shut to traffic to give pedestrians more space, and with the whole of the immediate seafront road set aside for bar terraces to allow them to expand.
Separate entrances and exits have been created and extra police and lifeguards are on patrol.
Mayoress Diana Morant recommended bathers make themselves a 'plot' with 'sand walls' to maintain safe distances, and will arrange for 'packs' to be handed out to 'help guarantee individual space easily and intuitively', but has not given details.
No special measures have been announced for adults – although Oliva's beaches are rarely crowded and distances of at least two to six metres between bathers are already the norm, even at weekends in high summer.
Valencia's roads and transport councillor Giuseppe Grezzi says it is 'unthinkable' to be able to keep an eye on comings and goings along the city's 19 kilometres of coastline, but the firm which has managed sunbeds and parasols for the last 27 years has been setting these five metres apart.
Only a handful of sunbed 'stations' will open at first – number 2, opposite Gabbeach restaurant; number 3, opposite Ale Hop; number 5, off the Las Arenas Hotel; number 10, in the 'dolphin square'; and number 14, opposite La Alegría de la Huerta restaurant.
Beaches have reopened in parts of the province of Castellón – Peñíscola, Vinaròs, Moncofa, Almenara and Castellón city – with no extra measures and no appointment system.
Vinaròs will set up signs with QR codes giving information on numbers, and will take bookings for disabled bathing from June 15.
Oropesa del Mar has not yet opened its beach, but when it does so, will limit numbers and 'recommend' bathers do not stay on it for more than four hours a day, cordon off a 'walking' area and patrol the separate entrances and exits.
The council of Alcalà de Xivert-Alcossebre is working on a health and safety plan with emergency measures if needed, adapted according to its different types of beach – urban, rural, and enclosed bays within the Sierra de Irta nature reserve.