News
Covid Update
No bulls
Restrictions put in place as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic are constantly changing as the authorities react to the latest data received from health professionals . Soltalk urges its readers to check the current rules which are in force at local , regional and national levels before making travel plans .
If making an essential journey , always take supporting documentation to show to officials if challenged . It is also recommended to take a document confirming where you live in Spain – e . g . padrón certificate , TIE card , rental agreement , utility bill .
On February 5 , it was announced that the number of deaths in the previous 14 days had fallen below 500 for the first time since November . In addition , the cumulative number of cases per 100,000 inhabitants in the previous fortnight was down in all 17 regions of the country . The incidence rate had fallen below 800 for the first time since January 20 .
By the middle of February , the Junta de Andalucía said that the accumulated incidence of the virus averaged across all eight provinces had fallen , confirming a downward trend . Consequently , the requirement for municipalities with high incidences was relaxed . The order to seal their perimeters and to cease all nonessential commercial activities was reduced from 14 to seven days .
The regional government added that the data would now be reviewed once a week on Thursdays , with updates taking effect the following Saturday , while the curfew remained in place between 10.00pm and 6.00am , and meetings between friends remained limited to four participants .
However , the Junta also imposed a new measure limiting alcohol sales after 6.00pm which was intended to curb “ consumption in the street ” by young people . The ban , which became effective on February 13 , affects drinks with a alcohol content of more than 21 per cent , which excludes most beers and wines .
National Police have reported numerous instances of illegal gatherings throughout the province of Málaga during the Coronavirus crisis .
In just one weekend last month , twelve people were detained after officers raided a party in a Vélez-Málaga garage , a number of students were charged with resistance and disobedience after a party was discovered in a hall of residence in the Teatinos district of the capital , while other illegal parties were broken up in Marbella and Estepona .
Health authorities remain concerned that the spike in cases following a holiday weekend in early December could be repeated over Easter , just as the situation is coming under control . Holy Week begins on March 28 , leading to Easter Sunday on April 4 .
Meanwhile , Europol has warned that fake documents confirming that the bearer has tested negative for the Coronavirus have been found in Spain , as well as in France , the Netherlands and the UK . Criminals are reported to be faking the name of a genuine laboratory on the papers which have found for sale on line . In December last year , a fraudster was apprehended by Spain ’ s National Police for selling fake test results for € 40 , while similar documents have been found on sale in the UK for £ 100 each .
Furlough continues
Spain plans to use furlough schemes and short-time work programmes as tools to manage the economy even after the Coronavirus crisis passes . Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said wage subsidy schemes would be “ a tool that we want to turn into a permanent fixture .” Under the present ERTE scheme which has been extended until May , furloughed workers have 70 % of their wages paid by the state , dropping to 50 % after six months .
Granada trembles
Since December 1 , the province of Granada has experienced almost 600 earth tremors , of which 15 have had an intensity of more than 3.0 , with some exceeding 4.0 . Experts say the tremors have been caused by movement of four or five millimetres a year where the Eurasian and African tectonic plates meet . The earthquakes have raised fears amongst local people , some of whom are reported to have taken to sleeping in their cars parked in open spaces .
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Pamplona ’ s San Fermin festival , famous worldwide for its daily bull runs , has been cancelled for the second year running . The President of Navarra , Maria Chiviter , confirmed the cancellation last month , saying it would be irresponsible to plan for the July event because “ many things could happen ” before then . Sevilla ’ s annual April fair has also been cancelled , as has the Las Fallas festival in Valencia .
Social housing
Spain has pledged € 1 billion to the provision of social housing . The cash will come from the EU ’ s Coronavirus recovery fund and will utilise property presently held by Sareb , the so-called “ bad bank ” established in 2012 during the financial crisis . Around 15,000 homes are to be offered to local authorities with a further 12,000 available to the national Social Housing Fund .
Spanish hub
The Spanish government wants to make the country Europe ’ s biggest multimedia “ hub ” to attract production , business , and investment . Economic and digital transformation minister Nadia Calviño said the target is to give a boost in competitiveness and transform Spain into a “ worldwide ” privileged platform for the sector . A third of Spain ’ s € 140 billion EU Recovery Fund money will go towards digitalisation , well above the EU ’ s recommended minimum 20 %.
Jewish anger
Jewish leaders in Spain have called on prosecutors to launch an investigation into incitement to violence and discrimination following a demonstration in Madrid . Around 300 people gathered for last month ’ s farright event which featured anti-Semitic speeches and Nazi salutes . The Federation of Jewish Communities in Spain said it was “ unconscionable in a country with rule of law and full democracy for these serious accusations to go unpunished .”