News
Covid-19 update
In early September , Spain became the first country in Western Europe to record more than half a million cases of Covid-19 . However , more than half of new cases amongst the total of 525,500 patients were reported amongst young people , many of whom are asymptomatic .
During August , almost 175,000 new cases – more than half from the Madrid region - were diagnosed in Spain , a figure which was five times that recorded in July and seemed to confirm a second wave of the virus as it kept its grip on most of the country .
However , Cataluña appeared to have stabilised the rate of infection while Aragón had reduced it . In addition , concern about outbreaks amongst seasonal harvest workers appeared to have been unfounded .
The Health Ministry ’ s Coordination Centre for Health Alerts said that people should not be “ distressed ” but should be “ concerned ” by the figures . Spain ’ s Public Health Society ( SESPAS ) said the “ haste ” to restart suspended activities , particularly nightlife , has been “ counterproductive ” and that the Government has failed to communicate on the use of face masks .
Early in September , the regional government in Andalucía introduced further restrictions in an effort to avoid large gatherings of people . Beaches were closed between 9.30pm and 7.00am except for beach restaurants and for solitary activities such as fishing . Visits to residential homes were suspended if there is one confirmed or three suspected cases of Covid-19 amongst residents .
In the area of hospitality , venues are restricted to 75 per cent capacity and must not exceed 100 people at indoor venues , and 150 if the event is outdoors , while food and drink can be consumed only while guests are seated . Further restrictions apply to events aimed at children .
However , people have continued to flout the regulations and the pleas of health authorities . In early September , 75 were detained in an unlicensed building being used as a bar and brothel , while a week later , police in
Madrid arrested dozens more at a party in a basement where no-one was wearing a face mask .
Three days after pupils returned to the classrooms after the summer break , several schools had to partially close after students tested positive . In Nerja , three classrooms in two schools were closed after two children aged five and six were forced into isolation . Both buildings were subjected to deep cleaning after the diagnoses .
Meanwhile , regional president Juanma Moreno has said he could impose restrictions if case numbers continue to rise , although stressing that the rate of infection in Andalucía is half of that of Spain as a whole . He advised against non-essential gatherings , even with family members , whenever possible because , he said , infection is more likely when people drop their guard .
Elsewhere , Madrid imposed a raft of restrictions on September 21 on areas which have shown a sharp increase in infection rates . People can leave home for essential activities including work and going to school , but parks are closed and all commercial activity must close at 10.00pm , with the exception of pharmacies and petrol stations .
Royal quarantine
Princesses Leonor and Sofia had to go into quarantine last month after one of their school mates tested positive for Covid-19 . Their parents , King Felipe and Queen Letizia , were forced into quarantine earlier in the year after it was found that the Queen had been in contact with someone who later tested positive . Over 50 quarantine-related incidents have been reported in Spanish schools since pupils returned after the summer break .
Drugs bust
A gang which trafficked drugs in the provinces of Málaga and Cádiz has been broken up with the arrests of 64 people and the seizure of eight tons of hashish . Six sea-going launches have been found at a boatyard in Cádiz while it is believed the operation was controlled from Gibraltar . It is estimated that the gang made around € 3 million from the distribution of up to 6,000 kilos of hashish .
Supersol disappears
The name Supersol will disappear in Spain early next year following the acquisition of the supermarket chain by France ’ s Carrefour . The Lithuanian family owners of Supersol have sold their 173 stores , mainly in Andalucía and Madrid , for € 78 million . The French retailer is expected to change the outlets ’ names to the Carrefour Express or Market brands , as well as its separate Supeco low-cost chain .
Banks merge
Caixa is to buy Bankia , creating Spain ’ s biggest bank with the present CaixaBank CEO Gonzalo Gortázar as its chief executive . The new entity which will retain the Caixa brand will have assets of more than € 664 billion . Once the € 3.8 billion deal is approved by shareholders , the banks are expected to conclude the merger in the first quarter of next year .
Deportations halted
A flight to Madrid deporting three Spanish men who entered the UK illegally last summer was grounded by the British High Court on September 16 . The asylum seekers ’ lawyers argued that the men could end up destitute in Spain and more investigation was needed into Spanish immigration facilities . UK Home Secretary Priti Patel said she was “ bitterly disappointed ” by the court ’ s decision which is also thought to have affected other planned deportations from Britain .
Labs hacked
China ’ s Foreign Ministry has denied claims that it has been stealing data from Spanish research labs which are developing a Covid-19 vaccine . The National Intelligence Centre said last month that hackers had targeted Spain and other countries , and blamed China and Russia for the cyberattacks . There are around ten ongoing vaccine projects in Spain although none has yet moved to the stage of human trials .
9