The
OLIVE PRESS
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MALLORCA
Eye on IBIZA
Your expat
voice in Spain
Vol. 4 Issue 89 www.theolivepress.es September 18th - October 1st 2020
It’s still magic across the water... but is Ibiza finally affordable for a holiday?
Photos by Allan Binderup
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HOT ZONE LOCKDOWN By Isha Sesay
MORE than 43,000 peoplehave been put on ‘partial lockdown’ in Palma from today. The Balearic Government has decided to enforce tougher restrictions on additional districts in the capital. Parts of Arquitecte Bennazar are now confinement zones, joining Son Gotleu, Can Capes, Soledat Nord and Son Canals which became ‘hot zones’ last week. The move by the Ministry of Health is aimed at reducing the number of coronavirus
43,000 people - 10% of Palma - face tough new coronavirus rules infections in areas which have suffered a spike in cases. It means that almost 10% of Palma’s population is now in partial lockdown. Being classed as a ‘hot zone’ means that only those who live or work in these areas will be allowed inside. Residents will have to justify leaving their homes at police checkpoints, with reasons such as going to school, work or to visit a supermarket or bank. Capacity will also be capped to
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50% in bars, cafes and restaurants both indoors and on its terraces and all of these establishments must close no later than 10pm. All activity in gyms and sports centres is strictly prohibited. The General Director of Public Health, Maria Antonia Font, explained that Arquitecte Bennazar has been included to reduce pressure on the health system. According to Font, the area has the highest population density in the capital, serving 31,673 people in its local hospital. This would collapse if dealing with a significant number of COVID-19 infections, she said. Welfare and social criteria have also been taken into account, with Arquitecte Bennazar having one of the highest degrees of poverty in Mallorca.
Although ‘the disease does not understand income,’ those diagnosed with the virus that are not able to isolate at home due to housing issues would do so in hospital instead, putting further pressure on the hospital. It comes as the Government of the Balearic Islands announced that parts of Ibiza would also be put on a partial lockdown fromtoday. These include the centre of San Antonio and Ibiza Town which according to the Balearic Ministry of Health, have the highest number of COVID-19 infections in the region. Although the measure will impact all those that live inside the ‘hot zone,’ tourists were initially exempt – a measure that was immediately denounced by local unions. This decision was later reversed, meaning that the movement of holidaymakers will also be restricted.
Opinion p6