Extension to opening hours brings bar cheer
A ‘gradual and responsible’ opening of the economy will take place
BAR and restaurant owners – and their customers – were celebrating this week after closing time was pushed back to 22.00 following the regional government’s relaxation of restrictions brought in to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
Regional president Ximo Puig announced that as well as giving more time to eaters and drinkers to indulge during the evening, shops would also be able to stay open until that time.
However, the night-time curfew remains at 22.00, so people who are not working will have to leave establishments early to make sure they are at home before the deadline.
The decision to give more time to businesses – starting on Monday (April 26) – followed pressure from regional commerce associations and protests from traders.
The regional Covid committee met last Thursday night to consider how to proceed, with the provinces of Alicante, Valencia and Castellón having recorded the lowest coronavirus infection figures in Spain for four consecutive weeks.
Speaking afterwards, Sr Puig stated that the measures they had taken showed they were ‘acting with maximum prudence and proportionality’.
He said they were instigating a ‘gradual and responsible’ opening of the economy and that other restrictions would be relaxed ‘as the situation allowed’.
Sr Puig explained that bars and restaurants could still only operate at 30% of total capacity indoors, but owners would be able fill 100% of their allocated terrace space – with a maximum of six people seated at a table inside or outside.
He noted that current restrictions on entry to shops and commercial centres will remain in place.
Theatres, cinemas, museums, galleries and auditoriums can now operate at 75% of total capacity (up from 50%) – and ‘ceremonies and celebrations’ can use 50% of the capacity of a communal area, up from 30%.
Guided visits can cater for a maximum of 20 people in an outdoor area and 10 indoors.
Sr Puig added that other restrictions would be extended for another two weeks.
Border to open
He added that when the national state of emergency legislation runs its course on May 9 they foresee being able to lift the closure of the regional border if the evolution of the pandemic allows.
A meeting will be held next week to confirm how they will
proceed with this measure.
Sr Puig noted that the Valencia region is in a unique position in Spain because the incidence of Covid-19 is six times lower than the national average.
He added that the vaccination process is continuing apace, with one in five people in the region having had at least one jab.
Society needs to make ‘one last effort’ while more people are inoculated, he said.
Residents react
Commenting on the Costa Blanca News Facebook page, Pauline Castle said it was ‘brilliant news’ and ‘worth waiting for’.
Tony Stott also labelled it ‘great news’ and now ‘we can relax’ and enjoy a few beers.
Francis Glazer said they were ‘small steps, better safe than sorry’.
Others commented on the
decision not to push back the curfew deadline.
Tricia Harrington said it seemed ‘a bit silly that the bars, etc can open till 22.00 but the curfew still remains at 22.00’.
“You would think they would have changed the curfew to 23.00,” she noted.
Speaking on Tuesday after the first night with an extra four hours to operate, Joanna Brake – the owner of the Family Bar in El Chaparral, Torrevieja – said: “For the first night of bars being open it was really good.
“Customers were happy that we were open and that they could have an evening drink. Last orders for the bar is 21.30, and they leave the bar at about 21.50.
“Customers stuck to the rules and didn’t take advantage, let’s hope we can all get back to normal soon.”