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Vol. 4 Issue 85 www.theolivepress.es July 24th - August 6th 2020
See pages 9 - 10 - 11
Corona comeback SPAIN’S COVID-infections have tripled since July 3. They have risen from 8.76 for every 100,000 inhabitants to an alarming 27.39. This is the same number of cases as when Spain first began de-escalation in May. Aragon, Catalunya and the Basque Country have all experienced outbreaks. Controls have been put in place, while some confinement measures have been issued.
Brits brawl!
Cashback CONSUMERS’ group Which? has demanded action to make airlines speed up refunds for cancelled flights due to COVID-19. It claims that many of the victims are ‘suffering serious financial and emotional distress’ as they struggle to claim refunds for flights. The group has compiled a dossier of more than 14,000 refund complaints that it has now handed over to the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) as part of its review of how airlines have handled cancellations. They are collectively worth more than €5.6 million.
VIOLENCE ERUPTED: Boozed-up troublemakers turned away from party strip cause mayhem in Magaluf as they search for parties
Local businesses and holidaygoers hit with fines as Magaluf coronavirus crackdown ramps up as revellers run amok
BOOZED-UP Brits are back causing havoc on the streets of Magaluf as bars and clubs on the party strip reopen their doors for the first time since the start of the pandemic. Holidaymakers were seen throwing punches and jumping up on parked cars after going on a post-lockdown lash following the easing of UK travel restrictions. Revellers brazenly flaunted social distancing rules and ditched their masks for a night on the town, despite face coverings being made mandatory by the Balearic Government. In one viral video, filmed by a local resident, partygoers could be seen throwing punches and
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jeering at one another before turning their attention to security staff on the Plaza Emporium. According to the Diario de Mallorca, the young Brits had been prevented from accessing the square’s bars due to being heavily intoxicated. Tensions have been mounting in recent weeks since the UK Government lifted quarantine restrictions to Brit holidaymakers. But in a response to the eruption of anti-social behaviour, scores of British holidaymakers and local businesses were also
closed. The popular German hotspot of Calle de la Cerveza on the Playa de Palma was also shut down in the same order. The measure has sparked anger from local businesses who have had to close with a collective lawsuit now being mounted against the government. A regional government spokesman said: “The government has decided to extend to two more streets the provisional closure of businesses that sell alcohol. “They are added to the three closures announced yesterday (Wednesday) and that means the number of streets now affected is five. “The new closures will take effect immediately, with the object of protecting the whole population and avoiding the spread of coronavirus. “Although initially the decision was made to close businesses in Punta Ballena...that has been extended to the two new streets adjacent to Punta Ballena to avoid the possibility certain excesses could move on to those streets.” The order only applies to businesses that sell alcohol but fears had been raised that the problem could spread elsewhere as partygoers look for other places to socialise.
fined during the crackdown for flouting the COVID-19 restrictions. Spot checks are now being carried out regularly by the Policia Local and community inspectors across the island, on the orders of the Balearic Government. A total of 24 bars were dealt a fine for breaking the governmental rules under ‘a new normality.’ Infringements included exceeding the set capacity, a lack of social distancing among clients and a failure to wear face masks by staff. Establishments in breach of the laws will now have to pay out around €3,000, with some serious violations costing local business a hefty €300,000 fine. Meanwhile, locals and holidaymakers were slapped with more than 50 on-the-spot fines for failing to adhere to the rules enforced to halt the spread of infection. Five infamous party streets were shut down on the island by the Balearic Government following a request from Calvia Council, the authority covering Magaluf. Punta Ballena, Calle del Jamon, Calle General Garcia Ruiz and Calle de Federico Garcia Lorca in Magaluf were
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