Balearics To Crackdown On Boozy Tourists In Street
Spanish police in British tourist hotspots on the Balearic Islands are set to crackdown on revellers drinking in the streets or gathering at larger parties with increased police patrols and fines.
Local newspaper Diario de Mallorca report the regional government of the Balearic Islands in eastern Spain will send units formed of Spanish Civil Guard and local police officers alongside public inspectors to spot illegal parties and fine those attending as of today (Friday).
The units will file reports against large groups of people drinking in the streets, bars, pubs and clubs who are found to be breaking the regulations to stop the spread of COVID-19.
They will reportedly coordinate their efforts with ABONE, the nightlife establishments union of the Balearic Islands to find illegal parties as well.
Isabel Castro, the Public Administration Councillor of the Balearic Islands Government, told newspaper ABC: “All the public administrations aim to keep large crowds of people both in public and private places within the limits to avoid the spread of coronavirus”
Respected newspaper El Mundo reports that the Balearic Islands government will forbid crowds of more than 70 people and make the use of the face masks obligatory everywhere except at the beach, regardless of whether people can keep social distance or not, from Monday (13th July).
Local authorities could reportedly fine people found breaking the new rules up to 100 EUR (90 GBP).
The measures have reportedly been taken after local authorities became concerned about people gathering in public places to drink and breaking safety measures brought in to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic.
Diario de Mallorca report that the local emergency services have received 41 warnings about large groups forming with no control, with 36 of them taking place in Majorca.
ABC reports that a bar in the tourist town of Peguera in Majorca with mainly German tourists was reported because customers were not respecting social distancing or wearing face masks on the first day holidaymakers started arriving on the island on 1st July.
The nightclub Amnesia in the municipality of Sant Rafael in Ibiza was also reported to the police after throwing a party with 130 people, with the owner arguing that it was a birthday party, on 28th June, according to ABC.