The new holiday vibe on Spain's Balearic Islands: Illegal parties replace nightclubs
Police in Majorca broke up a secret 'Covid' party in the latest case of clandestine gatherings in which organisers disregard coronavirus health advice. The illegal party is a sign of the changed holiday scene on Spain's Balearic islands.
At least 100 people were present at the party on Saturday in a house in the Costa de Calma in Calvia, which includes the resort of Magaluf.
Other parties have been held in recent weeks on boats and in beach bars.
For tourists heading towards the Balearic Islands or other parts of Spain this summer, the experience will be very different than normal because of health restrictions imposed because of COVID-19.
Many nightclubs in Majorca, Ibiza and Menorca said they will remain shut this year because restrictions mean customers cannot dance.
Business groups representing companies involved in the nightlife sector in Majorca have said authorities on the island do not have enough resources to stop all these parties.
In one case last weekend, police raided a beach bar in Oratori de Portals Nous beach because numbers exceeded the permitted limit, the Diario de Mallorca newspaper reported.
Regional authorities said at beach bars or discos, only 33 percent of the normal capacity is allowed, and social distancing must be observed.
In another case, police closed a party on the Costa de la Calma where about 100 people were celebrating.
Both parties were carefully organised with tickets sold for €35 each and the events were advertised on social media as pool parties.
There was a bar, DJs and speakers as if these were professionally organised events.
Calvia council, which oversees Magaluf, said in a statement both events were “serious infractions” of health guidelines and the organisers could face fines of up between €30,000 and €300,000.
Francina Armengol, president of the Balearic Islands regional government, said: “The virus is still amongst us. We cannot play with the health of society.”
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At least 100 people were present at the party on Saturday in a house in the Costa de Calma in Calvia, which includes the resort of Magaluf.
Other parties have been held in recent weeks on boats and in beach bars.
For tourists heading towards the Balearic Islands or other parts of Spain this summer, the experience will be very different than normal because of health restrictions imposed because of COVID-19.
Many nightclubs in Majorca, Ibiza and Menorca said they will remain shut this year because restrictions mean customers cannot dance.
Business groups representing companies involved in the nightlife sector in Majorca have said authorities on the island do not have enough resources to stop all these parties.
In one case last weekend, police raided a beach bar in Oratori de Portals Nous beach because numbers exceeded the permitted limit, the Diario de Mallorca newspaper reported.
Regional authorities said at beach bars or discos, only 33 percent of the normal capacity is allowed, and social distancing must be observed.
In another case, police closed a party on the Costa de la Calma where about 100 people were celebrating.
Both parties were carefully organised with tickets sold for €35 each and the events were advertised on social media as pool parties.
There was a bar, DJs and speakers as if these were professionally organised events.
Calvia council, which oversees Magaluf, said in a statement both events were “serious infractions” of health guidelines and the organisers could face fines of up between €30,000 and €300,000.
Francina Armengol, president of the Balearic Islands regional government, said: “The virus is still amongst us. We cannot play with the health of society.”
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