Spain Holidays Under Threat As Benidorm Calls ‘Extreme Risk’ of Catching Covid | Travel News | To travel
According to the Valencian Ministry of Health, the seaside resort recorded 647 cases of coronavirus per 100,000 people over 14 days. The extreme risk category is recorded at 500 cases per 100,000.
The average number of Covid for the entire Valencian community is 319 cases per 100,000 people.
The city of Alicante recorded 143 cases per 100,000 inhabitants and Elche 146 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.
Officials fear the numbers are set to rise over the Christmas period as people gather to celebrate.
Alicante Mayor Luis Barcala called on residents and tourists to obey Covid restrictions on Christmas.
READ MORE: Benidorm customers ‘lose their temper’ over Covid rules
He said: “We cannot let our guard down because the virus is still active and we must make a new effort to maintain safe distances, avoid crowds and obey measures.”
New Covid measures in Benidorm require tourists to use a health passport to enter places with a capacity of more than 50 people.
The rules cover bars, restaurants and other hospitality venues, and people must be vaccinated, recently recovered, or test negative to enter.
Tourists and residents could face a fine of up to £ 500 if they fail to comply with passport health rules.
DO NOT MISS
Some hotel owners have said repeat customers have “lost their temper” with the new rules.
Pablo Gonzalez, President of COBRECA Hotel Association, said: “Regular customers lost their temper and said they would not come back.
“We are and remain the sector most affected by political decisions during the pandemic.
“Hospitality is an area of happiness where one does not ask questions about people’s political beliefs, whether they are single or not, or whether they are sick.
“We feel constrained when we apply the passport or face more restrictions. “
Sites can be fined up to £ 511 for failing to warn guests of the new Covid passport rules at the resort.
Since December 1, unvaccinated British tourists have been barred from entering Spain for fear of the Omicron variant.
The rule has turned many family vacations upside down, as some teens over the age of 12 have not yet had the chance to be fully immunized.
Benidorm has offered vaccines to tourists in an attempt to control the spread of Covid and maintain the tourism industry.
British tourists must pass a pre-departure test before entering the UK under new rules in effect on December 7.
They should then have a PCR test no later than the second day after arrival and self-isolate until they receive the result.
Brits should check the UK government’s website for the latest restrictions before traveling, as the rules can change quickly.
