New Covid-19 fines brought in
Both businesses and citizens face sanctions for breaking new laws
THE FINE tariffs for contravening the region’s new Covid19 protection legislation have been approved by the Valencia parliament.
Sanctions range from €60 to €60,000 for the most serious offences – and businesses can even be closed down. A decree was approved in the regional parliament on Friday and it covers the provinces of Alicante, Valencia and Castellón.
Explaining the legislation, councillor for justice Gabriela Bravo noted that offences have been divided into light, serious and very serious categories.
If minors are caught breaking the rules then their parents will have to pay the fine, she added.
In the lowest bracket, fines range from €60 to €600. People who are not wearing a face mask in public – or not wearing it correctly – will incur a maximum fine of €100. Also in this section is the failure of a business or association to inform their clients about the obligatory use of a face mask, social distancing and the number of people allowed in the premises – as well as businesses who are not adhering to hygiene measures set out in the legislation, when the risks affects less than 15 people.
These lower fines will also hit people who break their quarantine when they have been diagnosed with Covid-19
The larger fines will be levied for infractions such as organising or taking part in illegal parties or meetings which lead to large crowds gathering; bars/restaurants not adhering to the distancing regulation between tables, which is 1.5 metres on terraces; exceeding the permitted number of customers allowed in a premises; using public spaces for activities which have been banned; not taking hygiene measures in establishments where more than 15 people are affected; preventing or not collaborating with an inspection of a premises by the authorities; allowing dance floors to be used; and continued violation of confinement for people diagnosed with Covid-19.
Businesses can be closed down for six months for serious offences; and between three to 10 years for very serious offences. Sra Bravo said: “We cannot allow irresponsible behaviour which puts other people in danger and leads to flare-ups that could cause us to have to bring in even stronger measures.”
She said the fining procedure ‘is not to make money, but to dissuade people’ from breaking the laws. Any money collected ‘will go towards the fight against Covid-19’.