The FREE
The Rock’s only free local paper
Vol. 5 Issue 134 www.theolivepress.es October 28th - November 10th 2020
SWITCH: Chris Stewart
Squeezed out by Brexit EXCLUSIVE By Lydia Spencer-Elliott
FAMOUS expat author Chris Stewart is becoming Spanish. The Driving Over Lemons writer has revealed to the Olive Press he is giving up his British passport because of Brexit. “I’m becoming Spanish because I’m so incensed by the absurd nonsense of Brexit,” said the million-selling author, who lives near Granada. “I love England because I was born there, I think of the green hills of Sussex and Surrey and my heart skips a beat,” added the former Genesis drummer. “I shall be like that forever, but above all I want to be European.” Brit Stewart gained a huge following with his first book that charted his life as a ‘self sufficient’ sheep farmer in a remote part of the Alpujarras region. He has published three further books on his nearly three decade integration into Spain. Since 2016, more than 350,000 Britons have applied for non-UK passports. In Spain, dual nationality is not possible. So, residents must make the difficult choice of whether they w i s h to be cons i d e r e d Spanish or British post-Brexit.
SAFETY FIRST: Series of stricter controls have been announced
Action stations
Keeping the guard up against coronavirus as masking up becomes law in town centre MASK-wearing in the town centre will become the law under the latest restrictions enforced by the Gibraltar Government. The move comes after the RGP reported that just over ten percent of the population were using masks voluntarily on October 26. Chief Minister Fabian Picardo told the people how these seri-
ous measures were needed to prevent another lockdown. It will only be an offence not to wear a mask on Main Street, Irish Town, Town Range, Engineer’s Lane, Governor’s Street and all connecting lanes. “I genuinely wished to avoid this but the advice we have is that these are the areas people can accumulate,” said Picardo. It will now also be an offence
Frontier impasse
DON’T MISS: See full Chris Stewart interview on Page 6
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QUEUES: Time running out for agreement
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See page 12 - 16
TM
By John Culatto
to be in the area of Chatham Counterguard between 11pm and 1am on Thursday, Friday or Saturday. Cross-frontier workers will now also be tested randomly as they come through the land border. Passengers flying to the UK will now need to be tested before CROSS-frontier workers in Gibraltar could be hardest hit by a no deal between the UK and the EU. The EU’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier warned the UK ‘time is running very short’ to secure a deal. Chief Minister Fabian Picardo has, however, kept up hope of a deal being secured with Spain. He tweeted on October 27: “We are ready to do a deal so long as it is secure, sovereignty neutral and positive for all sides.” A no deal would make Gibraltar more of an island than it has been since the frontier reopened in 1982. As one of the EU’s southern frontiers wet stamping could be necessary, which would inevitably lead to much longer queues at the land border. Until now EU recognised ID cards have only needed to be flashed at frontier check-
they leave the Rock. Those arriving from the UK will need to pay a small fee for a test or go into quarantine for a short time. Over 1,000 tests are now being carried out daily, more than five times that of Spain per 100,000 people. The Nightingale Facility is now on standby to be back in operation within 24 hours as there are only eight ICU beds available with one being occupied but stable. “The virus is now, once again, points. The Government cabinet has been meeting intensively to discuss the options available. Around 15,000 people crossed the frontier everyday before the pandemic, including top gaming executives and Spanish hospitality workers. In a technical notice published recently, the Government revealed local drivers would need an international driving permit (IDP) in Spain. If people are driving to Spain they would need a 1949 IDP and if they want to go to Portugal they could also require a 1968 IDP. All cars would have to be decked with a GBZ sticker too, apart from the ones on the numberplates. These two will soon be available from the Gibraltar MOT centre at Eastern Beach.
all around us,” said Picardo. “The GHA is presently able to deal with the surge we are experiencing. “But these numbers can very quickly grow exponentially if the virus remains unchecked.” The first measure announced was the closure of the elderly homes to visitors with the buildings on lockdown from today. A Major Incident could now be declared within 24 hours and health services are alert to the possibility. “From now on, do not kiss, hug or shake hands with persons outside of your home family unit,” said Picardo. “I know we consider it natural to act in that way, but let us understand that we must change our social behaviour, for now at least. “And do not let your guard down when you are at work. “That is where the spread is occurring.” As a result, the private and public sector is now being urged to return to remote working where possible. Masks are now advised to be worn in all places outside the home, although it will not be legally necessary. The elderly are now being asked not to go out except for the essentials and exercise. Religious meetings could be scaled down, with funerals expected to take place with only the first degree of family present, all wearing masks. “Further measures, short of a lockdown, may be required if the numbers of infections are not substantially reduced in coming weeks,” warned Picardo. “I ask you again for your help to tame this new wave “But, let me assure you of one thing – we will get through this. “We will smile again.”