News
Covid Update
King honoured
June began with news that Andalucía ’ s move to phase 2 of the region ’ s recovery plan was delayed by two weeks , but ended with the end of the mandatory use of face masks outdoors .
The planned move to the second phase of the regional de-escalation plan at the end of May was postponed for a couple of weeks after a rise in the number of cases . However , as June began , it was reported that the month of May had recorded the fewest number of deaths in Spain since last August , and by the middle of the month , the country ’ s 14- day cumulative rate had fallen below 100 new cases per 100,000 population . The “ new normal ” often referred to by the government will have been achieved when this figure falls to 50 new cases .
By the middle of June , all of Málaga province was in health alert Level 1 , after La Vega in Antequera was upgraded and restrictions were eased . Some 37 of the province ’ s 103 municipalities had not registered any new infections in the previous two weeks .
A mobile Covid test unit was in Nerja on June 14 when two new positive cases were identified . However , of the 402 residents invited to attend for a test , only 114 turned up , a turnout of only 28.36 per cent , according to the regional government .
Meanwhile , a 35-year-old man from Sevilla who tested positive for Covid has also tested positive for the West Nile virus . It is the first case of the disease reported in Andalucía this year , according to the regional health authority . Last year four people in Sevilla and three in Cádiz died , and 72 others were hospitalised with the virus which is spread by mosquitoes .
During the month , the EU approved Spain ’ s reform and investment plans for the post-Covid period and the first € 9 billion could be available to Madrid in August . Spain says that 40 per cent of the cash will go towards projects which support climate objectives , while a further 28 per cent is earmarked for digital transformation . The tourism sector will see an investment of € 3.4 billion , but in return for the financial help , the country is to make major changes to its labour market , pension and taxation systems .
As Soltalk went to press , the government in Madrid was planning to end the requirement to wear a face mask outdoors from June 26 .
Andalucía , which originally said it would continue to require the use of face masks throughout July , said on June 19 that it would abide by Madrid ’ s decision . However , as Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced plans to scrap the use of face masks outdoors where social distancing permitted it , regional government spokesman Elías Bendodo warned , “ The pandemic is not over .”
News of the relaxation came as the vaccination campaign began to inoculate people in their 40s . Two million 12 to 15 year olds are expected to receive their jabs during the first week of September , with those considered to be highly dependent or high-risk treated first .
Family tragedy
The body of a missing six-year-old was found on the ocean bed 1,000 metres off Tenerife last month while her oneyear-old sister has not been found despite a massive police search . Their mother ’ s former partner failed to return the children at the end of April and his empty boat was found at sea . He called the mother on the night of the girls ’ disappearance promising that she would never see them again .
Pujul trial
A long-serving former president of Cataluña is to stand trial alongside family members over alleged political corruption . Jordi Pujol , now 91 , and his seven children have been accused of running a criminal organisation which accepted bribes . The prosecutor is asking for nine years jail for Pujol , and 29 years behind bars for his eldest son .
Parachute death
A 34-year-old army sergeant died after a parachute jump of the coast of Cartagena in June . Rafael Gallart Martínez was found unconscious in the sea after a training exercise and was taken to hospital where he died . The Spanish Legion in Ronda reported that the soldier had served abroad and had been awarded the Military Merit Cross with a White Distinction .
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King Felipe has become the first recipient of Andalucía ’ s Medal of Honour for his , “ exemplary defence of the unity of Spain .” He accepted the honour from regional president Juanma Morena in Sevilla on June 14 , and the King , who was accompanied by Queen Letizia , said that . “ Being in Andalucía is always being at home .” The new honour was created by the Junta de Andalucía last year .
Pardons protests
The government ’ s plan to pardon former Catalan leaders , jailed for sedition in 2017 after a failed secession attempt , has become hugely divisive . Thousands attended a rally in Madrid last month to protest against the proposal which the socialist government of Pedro Sánchez claims will calm tensions in Cataluña . However , his opponents see the pardons as a threat to national unity , and say he is only trying to shore up political support .
Beach demand
A petition carrying over 283,000 signatures demanding a ban on smoking on Spain ’ s beaches was handed to Environment Minister Teresa Ribera last month . Around 475 beaches are already smoke free , but the petition organisers No Fumadores ( No Smokers ) wants the entire coastline to be free from cigarette smoke and discarded butts . The group spent two years collecting signatures which they say , “ send the message that we can ’ t wait any longer .”
More working
An historic drop in unemployment was recorded in Spain during May . Government figures showed there were over 129,000 fewer people out of work compared with April , the largest ever monthly reduction since the statistics were first collated in 1996 . Unemployment at the beginning of June stood at almost 3.8 million .