Ibiza Covid Update – 28 May

Covid19 figures for Ibiza & Formentera on 27/05/20 were as follows (via local press)

· 173 cases in total
· 20 Active Cases
· 13 in hospitals being monitored
· 4 in hospitals in intensive care
· 3 under surveillance at home
· 141 cured
· 12 fatalities
· 1 health workers at home being controlled by UVAC
· 4 health workers under ‘active surveillance’

2 members of Peña Deportiva football club in Santa Eulalia have tested positive plus 1 new case in Formentera also.

These figures are updated daily by Balearic Health Office

Yesterday was the start of 10 days National Mourning in Spain in memory of those who lost their battle against the virus. Flags will fly half mast on all government and town hall buildings. There will also be an organised remembrance service attended by King Felipe.

Ibiza is now in phase 2 of the de-escalation process but Balearic authorities have requested that it moves to phase 3 on Monday 01 June, 1 week ahead of schedule. This request is based on good epidemiological and healthcare data on the evolution of the pandemic on the islands. In addition same day movements between islands has also been requested during phase 3.

From yesterday all residents in Ibiza can now go outside as many times as they like, without any restrictions on how far they can go or for how long. The only restriction that remains in place is for seniors which continues to be from 10am to 12pm and from 7pm to 8pm but regional authorities can move this by up to 2 hours to avoid the hottest time of the day.

Ibiza tourism chiefs are hoping to bring 500 German tourists to the island in June in a pilot test similar to the one in Mallorca. Hotel Federation spokesman, Manuel Sendino, said that there are several hotels that have offered to open their doors and the idea is being studied but it will only happen if deemed safe.

Francina Armengol, the President of the Balearic government says that the Balearics expects to welcome between 2000 and 3000 international tourists during the second half of June. “This flow of tourists will be channelled by German tour operators. The idea is to make safe air and sea corridors on the four islands” she explained.

Ibiza and Formentera hoteliers have voiced their hopes that the summer season can be saved if tour operators and airlines show “a firm will” to bring tourists to the island as of July when air connections with Europe are restored. Sirenis Hotels spokesman Pedro Matutes said “there is demand to come, not the same as last year, obviously, but tour operators want to go back to work and are evaluating the situation. They are not going to deploy their full air capacity, but they are going to start”.

The Spanish Government will lift quarantine requirements for foreign tourists from 01 July, the decision was made at an Inter-ministerial meeting held this Monday by videoconference.

On Tuesday, Fernando Simón from the Health Ministry said that the situation in Spain is rapidly improving. 10 of Spain’s 17 regions have not reported a single coronavirus-related death in the past week. 5 others had only reported 1 or 2 fatalities. Catalunya and La Rioja reported the highest number of deaths, with 8 and 9 respectively over the last 7 days.

Specialists from the Guardia Civil have continued with disinfection work in various areas of the Can Misses hospital in Ibiza.

The Traffic Office in Ibiza Town has reopened its doors this week but only for pre-booked appointments.

Sant Josep Council will also organise municipal Summer Schools this year will be free for all participants. Extra sanitary measures will be in force and places limited and reserved for children registered in the municipality. Parents who want to enrol their children must prove that both parents working.

Beware of fake news – government websites and credible press/social media pages are the best places to gather important information.

The situation is constantly evolving however please follow the guidelines.

Best Regards

With special thanks to Lesley Donald, Tricia Templeton and Julian Cobby

VERY IMPORTANT: INFORMATION TAKEN FROM CREDIBLE PRESS AND GOVERNMENT SOURCES HOWEVER THE SITUATION IS FLUID. THIS UPDATE IS WRITTEN FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND I TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY ERRORS GIVEN IN GOOD FAITH