MAN IN SAN AN by Martin Makepeace

Tuesday was a very busy day for new information coming in. Here’s an overview of the evolving situation in Ibiza and the Balearic Islands with regards to Covid19.

There are now 10 cases of the virus on the island. 6 are at home, 4 are in hospital with 1 in a critical condition.

Police are becoming a lot more visible on the streets with an increase in fines handed out to anybody outdoors without justification.

Road blocks have been set up in prominent places questioning all cars of their destination and intentions. The army have been deployed in Mallorca so there’s a high likelihood that will happen in Ibiza very soon.

The major development in the Balearics is that all international flights & private jets have been cancelled although there will be 1 flight per company per day from Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia and Palma.

These flights must be at reduced capacity to allow passengers to sit away from each other and any foreign nationals arriving on the islands will have to prove Spanish residency on arrival via green certificate.

The flights situation is likely to become tighter as the crisis moves forward and a complete shutdown may happen. If you really want to get back to Ibiza any time soon then jump on the next available flight.

All tourists in the Balearics and Spain will be repatriated to their own countries over the next few days and until then they should abide by the rules and regulations. There are 123 Spanish Pensioners staying in 2 hotels in Santa Eulalia who will be flown home today or tomorrow.

All boats and ferries have been cancelled until further notice except for cargo. Formentera is an exception and will run 3 ferries per day with reduced numbers for health reasons.

Supermarkets on the island are well stocked and remain open and home deliveries are running as normal. Some smaller shops remain open that sell fruit, vegetables, meat, fish, petrol, telephones, bakeries, small computer shops, florists, tobacconists and press.

Those shops that must remain CLOSED are textiles, clothes, hardware and paint, electrical goods, furniture, shoes, sports, jewellers, books and 2nd hand goods.

The Spanish Prime Minister has promised a huge economic rescue package of 200 billion euros protecting workers rights, helping with mortgage payments and special conditions for self employed people to help carry on their business. Your gestoria or legal advisor will have more details.

Pharmacies remain open and the amazing Can Misses hospital continues as usual but with more health restrictions in place. You should check by phone if your appointment is still valid. The hospital is ringing patents wherever possible to confirm. Repeat prescriptions will be automatically renewed for the next 2 months.

The mobile vehicle inspection unit at the convention centre has been closed down as it couldn’t comply with distances required to prevent contact. All ITV stations in Spain are now closed. The Ibiza Island council is in the process of organising a safe haven and food for those people living on the streets, they will prepare 30 beds at the Blancadona Sports Centre with possibility of more. Hoteliers are providing beds and sheets.

Regarding public transport, the Island Council are studying suspending services that aren’t used at the moment and upping frequencies on others that people need to get to work.

The King of Spain will make a live TV broadcast to the nation this evening at 9pm where he will appeal for calm during these unprecedented times.

As always local government websites and credible social media pages are the best places to gather important information and please pass on wherever possible.

The situation is evolving every day however the message is very clear – please stay at home wherever possible and keep a cool and calm head. By following these guidelines, together, we will beat this disease and get on with the rest of our lives.

Best Regards

Special thanks to Lesley Donald and Tricia Templeton who are working hard to provide all important information.

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

The Covid-19 crisis here in Ibiza and Spain is a quickly moving situation but Islanders appear to be remaining calm.

The first working day of the lockdown was a strange affair. Whilst the majority stayed indoors, a lot of people went about their daily jobs as normal. The building sites were busy, the council workers still digging holes and fixing roadsigns. When is a lockdown not a lockdown – when it’s an Ibiza lockdown of course :)

Things will change in the coming days. To underline the seriousness of the situation the Spanish government has brought in new laws overnight with fines ranging from 100 – 600,000 EUR for infractions during the state of alarm. Also civil disobedience can be punished by up to 18 months in prison.

Ibiza has got it easy though as it’s still our off-season. Looking across the water to Benidorm, they have a big problem with tourists (mainly Brits) refusing to stay indoors as they want to ‘enjoy’ their holiday. It may be St Patrick’s long weekend but the reality of the situation is yet to hit home for some.

Spain closed its land borders last night which was not unexpected and in line with what other European countries have done. Ibiza Airport remains open but there were many cancelled flights and it’s only a matter of time before international flights cease to arrive except for government sponsored ‘mercy flights’. National flights will also cut back and heavily regulated.

Meanwhile an action plan has been put in place to repatriate all tourists from Spain to there own country. There were 25 international flights leaving the Balearics on Monday, all hotels in the Balearics will soon be closed until they get the green light to re-open again.

Ibiza is in the precarious position of receiving daily flights from Madrid where the Covid-19 virus is prevalent. Madrid has over 4000 cases whereas Ibiza has only 2 but can Spain stop its residents from returning to their family homes? If the virus continues to spread without hindrance then the answer is yes but the worry is that it could be too little too late with all eyes looking to the summer season.

The spontaneous applause happening all over Ibiza and Spain at 8pm goes viral every night. It’s a glorious show of unity towards all those working on the frontline during the crisis. Long may it continue but hopefully not for too long (if you know what I mean).

Government institutions are open but many are operating by telephone and e-commerce only. The post office is open 9.30-12.30 but restrictions may apply to limit numbers and social interaction so please be patient.

As always local government websites and credible social media pages are the best places to gather important information and please pass on wherever possible.

These are unprecedented times with so much happening on a daily basis but things will calm down as the rules tighten. All we can do is put our faith in the new measures, support the health workers, follow the guidelines and hope for a speedy resolution.

Best Regards

Special thanks to Lesley Donald and Tricia Templeton

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

The reality is starting to hit home that Ibiza and the rest of Spain is on lockdown and under a ‘state of alarm’ that gives the authorities special powers to curb freedom of movement. This will initially last until 31 March 2020.

There are some who are still trying to bend the rules however we all have a duty to politely persuade them that this isn’t acceptable and that only by staying at home and minimising contact with others can we combat the threat of spreading the virus.

The situation is evolving by the hour and the rules will get tighter as the week goes on, we are already seeing supermarkets, fast food delivery outlets and financial institutions come up with specific guidelines, many flights have been cancelled and police are highly visible on the street. We should all stay calm and follow the rules and help to get through this as quickly as possible.

Thanks to Mayor Marcos Serra for sending a video message to the English speaking community of San Antonio and even though he needlessly apologised for his English it was very welcome and greatly appreciated.

To recap, he asked us to stay inside unless there is an urgent and justificable need for any of the following

To buy food

Go to the pharmacy

Go to the medical centre

Go to work

Care for the elderly, young and those who need our help

Go to financial or insurance institutions

Go to Petrol stations

The establishments that can remain open are as follows.

Food, beverages, basic necessities, medical, optical, orthopaedics, press, tobacconists, technology, animal food stores and laundries.

There was some initial confusion over dog walking as it is forbidden to go out for sports, although it’s now been stated that pets are allowed to be walked individually within your neighbourhood.

Others and I will continue to post credible updates on social media but the message is crystal clear so please follow the guidelines and stay home wherever possible. With everyone’s help we will be able to return to normal as soon as possible.

Best Regards

Special thanks to Lesley Donald and Tricia Templeton

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

Dear All

The Covid19 virus is spreading rapidly and Europe is now the epicentre. These are unprecedented times not just for Ibiza and Spain but for the world. Whatever we are going through many other millions have been, will be or are about to go through the same situation.

Following China and Italy, Spain has now gone into total lockdown with a ‘State of Alarm’ for a minimum of 15 days which means that we are all confined to our homes except for absolute necessities such as food, work and health. It’s also very important to stay away from mass gatherings.

We all need to follow these guidelines wherever possible as the experts believe this is the best way to stop the virus from spreading. Other countries are doing things differently but we live in Spain and must abide by their rules and regulations.

The measures have been put in place until at least 31 March so hopefully there will be a speedy resolution to the crisis and we should all hope for the best but also prepare for the worst. An early intervention hopefully means an early resolution.

Everybody now has a role to play whether it be self isolating at home, shopping for neighbours, helping others or sharing relevant information that could potentially help.

At this difficult time please keep an eye on the elderly or those who need more help than others. These members of our community should be the priority during these difficult times.

The situation is evolving on an hourly basis so I will try and share all credible information I receive from local government sources via Facebook and WhatsApp. Follow other credible pages on Facebook that give information especially from the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office and local authorities here in Ibiza. Please pass on relevant information to those that don’t use computers or social media.

This crisis won’t last forever, there will be an end and the end will come sooner if we all stay calm, keep a clear head and follow the guidelines. Let’s pull together as a community, get rid of this problem and get on with our lives.

Best Regards
Martin Makepeace
Resident/President
San Antonio British Association

Everything has changed within a few days. This time last week we were still going about our business albeit with Covid19 at the back of our minds but now it’s firmly right in front of our eyes.

Every country has their own way of dealing with things. The Spanish were in denial but are now facing up to reality and the country will shut down completely for a minimum of 2 weeks. The Italians were late to address the problem and have paid dearly. Denmark has taken drastic measures even though they haven’t had a major outbreak while other countries try to prevent rather than contain.

No one really knows the right or wrong way to do things, this is unprecedented territory especially in a world with 24-hour news channels showcasing ‘experts’ while millions tweet their uneducated and sometimes downright ridiculous views directly from their sofa (or the Oval Office). Everyone wants to be part of this debate.

The mainstream media, who have their own agenda, have been peddling their own project fear for weeks. It’s what they do, it sells copy and draws viewing figures and pushes up advertising revenues but also needs to be taken with a pinch of salt. Unfortunately some viewers, many who still think that Love Island is the real world, take it all in verbatim.

Interestingly the United Kingdom has taken a different approach to the rest by trying to carry on as normal but with clear instructions to the many thousands that will contract the illness in the coming weeks, it’s called herding immunity. Their position is that if they take drastic measures now then when the virus is at its most dangerous the population will be fatigued. An ‘interesting’ gamble.

What’s clear is that this new strain of virus is very dangerous for the elderly and those with underlying health conditions and it’s this part of our community that need the most protection and care. Over 95% of people who contract the virus will shake it off in a natural way and carry on their lives normally, so although the virus needs to be taken very seriously, this isn’t the Black Death either. Another caveat is that so far children haven’t been greatly affected by the virus but can spread the disease. It’s like a giant game of chess with lives and livelihoods at stake.

Here in Ibiza the reality is just hitting home that this summer will be like no other. From denial to anger to a realisation that the early part of the season will be a write off. Many hotels won’t even open until there is a clear indication that the virus is on the downturn. Let’s hope we all need a holiday after this.

The UK experts calculate that the peak will come in 10-14 weeks which takes us into mid to late June but things could get better before then. The best case scenario is that the summer season that traditionally starts in earnest in early May gets put back 6-8 weeks but it’s an evolving situation.

It’s not about profit anymore. It’s about survival, not only in a human sense but in business. The knock-on effect for the Ibiza economy will be nothing short of disastrous, just think of all those hotel cleaners and maintenance staff who won’t have a job or whose contracts will be downsized to match demand.

This is a time to follow the experts advice but also help your neighbours wherever possible, it’s a true test of human nature. Common sense isn’t something in mass abundance nowadays but it’s exactly what’s required. The changing situation can go both ways but it’s time to cut your cloth accordingly, prepare for the worst but also hope for the best.

Hopefully we can all come out of it with nothing worse than experience and we can look back and say that 2020 was the year that changed everything but made us stronger and, in Ibiza’s case, be more appreciative of what we had in the first place.

The world loves something to worry about. The markets are reactionary and react to everything.

For the last few years it’s all been about Brexit and it’s effect on the economy of those reliant on UK business. Spain has sometimes been more consumed by Brexit than the UK and when you look at the numbers you can see why.

In 2019, Spain was the second most visited country in the world, recording 83.7 million international tourists which marked the seventh consecutive year of record-beating numbers. Tourism contributes over 10% of Spain’s GDP.

Out of the 83.7 million international tourists visiting Spain in 2019, almost 20 million were from the UK. That’s a big chunk of Spain’s economy right there. Brits love Spain and Spain loves the British pound, so of course Brexit was and still is a big preoccupation for the Spanish.

Brexit is now happening whether you/we/them like it or not so the constant chatter has ceased by everyone apart from the online fanatics but now we have our next ‘big’ thing to worry about.

The Coronavirus is totally dominating the headlines, our eardrums and eyeballs. Although the numbers are relatively low compared to flu, malaria and other common diseases the world has gone into meltdown.

I’m not a conspiracy theorist but my spider senses are dramatically aware that project fear has taken over. Any virus needs to be taken seriously but covid-19 has a death rate of less than 2% coupled with the fact that the majority of deaths are happening to the elderly, infirm and those with pre-existing health conditions. Most who contract the disease experience flu like symptoms then make a full recovery. This is not the Black Death.

However the knock on effect of project fear is catastrophic. World events are being cancelled, airlines are cutting flights, the world markets are in meltdown and tourism now has its next major headache.

Travel agents are reporting widespread cancellations, I myself have just cancelled a holiday to northern Italy. I still desperately wanted to go but my kids were adamant that they didn’t want to go to North Italy after watching the story unfold. Project fear won them over unfortunately and as we were due to be flying into the most infected area in Europe I decided to change our plans, we still travelled (of course) but Italy’s loss was Andorra’s gain.

It remains to be seen exactly where the Coronavirus takes us and how serious it actually becomes however the ace in the pack as always is the British tourists who are not easily deterred from taking their hard earned holidays.

Brexit and now Coronavirus are just bumps in the road for tourism but through it all the British tourist will carry on travelling and carry on spending. It’s hard to explain the British psyche to my Spanish friends however the good old ‘work hard, play hard’ analogy probably covers it as well as anything else.

Let’s hope this latest problem can be solved as quickly as possible but let’s also keep a little perspective and that life needs to go on. Project fear is only as big as we make it.

Something is happening in San Antonio. You can feel it as you walk around. There’s a growing confidence in the air.

This is a town that after many years seems to be comfortable in its own skin with a young new Mayor who’s everywhere with unlimited energy and the town is reciprocating in kind.

Where the previous council seemed to encourage bitterness and division while hiding away behind closed doors, Mayor Marcos Serra with his boyband good looks and pleasant demeanour shows no fear by putting himself into the firing line on a daily basis, getting down to business and the town is responding.

New hotels are being built, older hotels are being reformed, property prices are rising steadily, the infrastructure is being improved. It’s full steam ahead for summer 2020 with confidence and guile.

The ‘Stic Urban’ is a good example of what is happening. A new boutique hotel and spa currently being built in the Plaza España, right in the centre of San Antonio. Formerly known as the Comfort Plaza Aparthotel, it was home to youth holiday companies for many years due to it’s proximity to the West End but now it’s having a major renovation and will become a 4 star lifestyle complex offering luxury living space and wellness holidays close to sunset strip.

This subtle refocusing is happening all over the town. The Wiki-Woo has just unveiled its Elyx suite which has been specially designed for special moments in a special place. OKU Ibiza, a Japanese themed spa hotel, has risen from the ashes of Casa Cook and is San Antonio’s first ever 5 star hotel, Amare’s smart rooftop bar in the bay with 270 degree views, a new family friendly beach club currently being constructed, the new Hotel Portmany, the list goes on and on. Build it and they will come.

The focus is shifting from how drunk you can get to special experiences that San Antonio and Ibiza can offer you. The world has changed and so have holidays, people work hard and want special moments and San Antonio is providing them in bucketloads.

The new Taylor Wimpey apartments being built near Cala Gracio have sold out the 1st phase at eye watering prices that could only be dreamed of only a few ago but still offering relative value for money compared to other places on the island. This shows you that there’s still plenty of growth. San An has got legs and is stretching them nicely.

When you look at the overall package, San An and the Bay now has an abundance of quality hotels, the busiest beach club on the island, the incomparable sunset strip with world class names every night, Ibiza’s only Michelin starred restaurant, a town hall that wants to do business but also isn’t afraid to come down hard on the persistent law-breakers, exciting plans in the pipeline for a new promenade to finally link the town and bay plus many other improvements that will only send the area in one direction.

This isn’t a major surprise for the many San An lovers out there who have watched incredulously as certain areas hogged the negative press headlines whilst all the other good work went unchecked, not getting the credit it deserved but that has now changed. The haters will still hate but people are finally sitting up and noticing the massive investment coming into the area.

San Antonio has always had something of an identity crisis but it looks like 2020 is the year that it finally comes of age and becomes a major force to be reckoned with. Remember where you read it first.

The much reported case of Chloe Haines has brought behaviour on flights into the spotlight again. 26 year old Miss Haines was on a Jet2 flight to Turkey when she became aggressive yelling “I’m going to kill you all” as she tried to open the plane door midway through the flight. The threat was so serious that 2 fighter jets were scrambled to accompany the plane back home.

Although Miss Haines claimed she blacked out after mixing medication and alcohol she was jailed for 2 years at Chelmsford Crown Court this week following the incident on board a flight from Stansted Airport on 22 June last year.

It’s an all too familiar scene in airports up and down the UK especially in the summer as predominantly young holidaymakers gather at airside pubs and start drinking from 6am in the morning, it’s almost become a tradition to post on social media that first drink of the holiday from the airport.

Sometimes the ‘party’ goes onto the plane but all of a sudden a large open area becomes a small confined space. Large boisterous groups shouting expletives to their friends across the aisle. More drink is served by the airline staff who earn commission from sales and the 2 hour flight becomes a nightmare for those wanting a quiet trip over especially if young kids are also onboard.

Ibiza is one of those hotspot destinations where nightmare flights are all too commonplace. Many of us have seen it with our own eyes and been left shaken by events that are beyond our control where young airline staff are expected to control large rowdy groups who go past the point of no return and common decency goes out the window. No pun intended.

What will it take for this behaviour to become socially unacceptable where airports and some airlines seem to put profits before safety and leave the resort destination to pick up the drunken pieces? Will it take 1 catastrophic incident to change the way we approach travelling to a place where alcohol is abundantly available the second we step off the plane?

There’s been much debate whether the 2 year sentence was overly harsh or too lenient but it puts the question right back into the public forum yet again.

Miss Haines will be out of prison in less than 12 months but those poor people who thought they were not going to make it off that plane will have to live with their nightmares for many years to come.

I don’t know Miss Haines and I’m sorry that she had a ‘troubled upbringing’ however I would have liked to have seen her handed a much stronger sentence as a clear deterrent to others. Maybe during that extra time she could reflect on her actions and find ways to teach others that an aeroplane is a mode of transport and not a mobile disco.

There’s no 2nd chances up in the sky so Miss Haines may have done us a favour by putting the debate back front and centre because the sooner the authorities get to grips with this problem the better. The clock is ticking.

Today is not an ordinary day. Today is 22 January 2020, a date that will forever be marked in red in the history of sport in Ibiza.

Today, for the first time ever, the world famous FC Barcelona pay a visit to the White Isle. They have never played here before, not even in a friendly match yet today they will step out to the artificial grass of Can Misses Stadium to face UD Ibiza in the last 32 of the Spains biggest cup competition, the Copa del Rey, the Cup of Kings. Today, without a doubt, is a very special day.

6,500 spectators will be there in the stadium adorned for the occasion with greater lighting and extra stands to accommodate a couple of thousand more lucky fans who otherwise wouldn’t have the opportunity to be there. The vast majority of those people queued for hours to get a ticket, some for almost 24 hours, incredible but true.

Also incredible was that in just four hours all the general public tickets were sold out with many fans unable to acquire a ticket despite having been part of the queue that stretched back for more than 300 metres

The wait and expense was surely worth it as they will see the most important game in the history of Ibiza. Unfortunately Leo Messi won’t be there having been rested but nearly all of the other football heavyweights will be present as only Busquets and Piqué are left at home.

New Barça coach Quique Setien, who only arrived at the club last week, replacing the sacked Ernesto Valverde, obviously doesn’t want any surprises so he has chosen to bring a very strong side to try to avoid a catastrophe.

The starting XI for Barça will include up to 7 of the usual first team with either Lenglet or Umtiti at the back, probably the former, who was rested in the last game against Granada, although they could both play given the other choice is the inexperienced Chumi.

The midfield of Barça would strike fear into any team with Rakitic, Vidal, De Jong, Arthur, the emerging Riqui Puig and Sergi Roberto available for selection.

In attack the 100 million man Antoine Griezmann looks like he will start in the absence of Messi and injures to Luis Suárez and Dembelé. Carles Pérez and Ansu Fati, the youngest scorer in history in the Champions League may also get the nod while Abel Ruiz will wait for his opportunity from the bench.

It remains to be seen if Setién starts with the usual 4-3-3 or if he tests his 3-5-2 with two lanes in the midfield.

UD Ibiza coach (and ex Barça player) Pablo Alfaro is expected to start with his strongest line up on the big night, maybe with some rotation, in a match that will gather headlines around the world.

Injury to Morillas diminishes the left wing options and with Rubén González also doubtful it could force the coach to select Grima and Kike López out wide.

The experience of Javi Lara, who began as a substitute in the last match versus Rayo Majadahonda, will be the pillar on which UD will rely. Javi Pérez should also start in midfield where the big question is whether Toni Arranz or Miguel Núñez will get the other spot.

Top scorer Rodado will start up top with the option of Cirio and Caballé while Mendoza and Raí will probably await their opportunity to provide impact from the bench.

UD Ibiza will go in search of not only dreamland but also a 10th straight game without loss in the League and Cup.

A football party is about to be served and everyone on the island and many around the world are looking forward to kick off with nervous excitement.

Football really is the Beautiful Game!

—————-

22 January 2020
UD Ibiza v FC Barcelona
Copa del Rey – Last 32
K.O 19.00 at Can Misses Stadium
Live on DAZN

Adapted from article by Tomi Sanchez in Diario de Ibiza 22/1/2020