Dance floor ‘denuncias’ for nightspot owners
Elche lines up huge police presence despite fiestas being cancelled
LOCAL police closed down two different nightclubs in Alicante city in 48 hours for failing to follow rules to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
The owners of the premises face fines of up to €60,000 after officers found that the discothèques’ dance floors were open for use.
In the first raid in the early hours of Sunday morning 66 people were escorted out of the nightspot when local police confirmed Covid-19 security measures were being flouted.
Officers carried out an inspection at 04.15 and found there were ‘dozens’ of people who may have been using the dance floor.
A similar incident was recorded at 04.30 on Tuesday morning in the port area of the city. According to city hall, officers entered the disco and found around 50 people on the dance floor who were not respecting social distancing, ‘many of them without face masks’.
Councillor for security in the city, José Ramón González lamented that the local police have had to ‘evacuate discos and bars which have not been following the regulations and having too many people inside’.
He also noted that officers handed out ‘hundreds’ of fines to people who were not wearing face masks or who were drinking alcohol in the street.
“There is an awful lot at stake here and it is paramount that people follow the regulations and take responsibility,” he stated.
The councillor noted that most of the sanctions occurred in nightlife areas, where ‘young people’ were breaking the rules.
Local police also started legal proceedings against 40 hostelry businesses, he added, on Friday and Saturday alone.
Sr González noted that bar owners who were sanctioned were not ensuring social distancing for clients by having tables that were too close together, amongst other infractions.
A National Police patrol in Alcoy issued 54 fines in just nine hours on Friday. At least a dozen people were fined for not wearing masks – and seven of 12 bars and amusement arcades they checked were booked for failing to comply with anti-Coronavirus procedures.
Elche’s anti-Covid dragnet
More than 500 police officers are patrolling Elche to prevent the spread of Covid-19 over the two main days of its local fiestas, yesterday (Thursday) and today.
Although the council decided to cancel the Nit de l’Albà and Nit de la Roà festivities traditionally held on August 13 and 14, they were still concerned by the risk of potential crowds and large gatherings of friends and relatives.
Last night was a particular concern as it coincided with the first leg of Elche football club’s play-off tie at the Martínez Valero stadium against Zaragoza for promotion to La Liga.
Drinking alcohol in public places was prohibited, as was the traditional use of fireworks in the street for the Nit de l’Albà, and the typical large gatherings in the streets on the Nit de la Roà.
To this end 550 police officers are closely monitoring the city and rural districts to enforce use of face masks and social distancing.
Additionally, private gatherings of more than 50 people have to be notified to city hall in advance and a specific permit is required to hold gatherings of more than 150 people.
Mayor Carlos González said infections have risen in recent weeks because people have relaxed, so he warned that fines will be issued for not complying with the Covid-19 safety and prevention rules.