Coronavirus

[Bekki]

Mr C arrived safely today on the first EasyJet flight from Newcastle to Palma the pilot said since March. He said Newcastle was very orderly and calm as was the flight. Once at Palma he went smoothly through the checks and onto collect his bag. The port was bathed in sunshine today and he took his first tentative steps around. He’s been used to having/wearing his mask in England and said automatic really. Once on the front he removed and felt the breeze, sunshine and views that he’d been craving. He was happy to see so many familiar faces and to catch up with them- abiding by the social distancing rules. Has enjoyed the day but the heavens opened late evening and got a drenching. That’ll teach me to be smug he thought

He just wanted me to let anyone feeling nervous that his experiences so far had been very positive.

 

[wiggyman]

Our flight from MAN last Friday was a very similar experience as above, no food outlets open other than WH Smith’s and Boots for a sandwich. I’d advise checking before you fly and bring own stuff.

 

[alcanadakid]

We arrived freom Gatwick yesterday via EasyJet, which seemsed to be the only flight of the day on the departures board to Palma.

Check in at Gatwick was empty of passengers but had a lot of EJ staff .

Flight was about half full and was boarded from the back rows first, so speedy boarders were last.

Cold drinks and sandwiches WERE served. No hot drinks though.

Everyone wore masks which were complusory, I saw one couple wearing goggles, hoods and disposable gloves,

Upon arrival there were two ladies checking that you had got health forms,

Procecdure though automatic passports gates was as usual - many attempts to make it work.

After passport control was the health control where you had your form scanned and you walk past a thermal body screening camera.

In the terminal there are not supposed to be any "greeters", so anyone meeting a flight needs to be outside the terminal.

In summary the flight boarded quickly and the passage through Palma airport was quick

 

[mike_dublin]

It is difficult, it is to reduce the risk but will have an effect on enjoyment. We are out on the 25th July so we are going to have to find a mask that doesn't steam up our glasses.
...

Here's some more tips preventing the steaming up of glasses when wearing a mask -
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/newsbeat-53406105/how-to-stop-your-glasses-steaming-up-with-a-mask-on

 

[Kingsley]

Can I just check, are you allowed to go for a walk along the promenade without a mask? I know there was a report in the Majorcan daily bulletin to say that you can (if it’s not busy) but I can’t find it anywhere else.

 

[Sparky]

Can I just check, are you allowed to go for a walk along the promenade without a mask? I know there was a report in the Majorcan daily bulletin to say that you can (if it’s not busy) but I can’t find it anywhere else.

Yes but only on the beach side and as long as you can guarantee social distancing .

 

[mike_dublin]

https://www.majorcadailybulletin.co...municipalities-majorca-are-free-covid-19.html

Almost three out of every four Municipalities in Majorca are free of coronavirus.

71.69% of the Municipalities in Majorca do not have any active cases of Covid-19, according to the Ministry of Health data on July 22.

There are no active cases in Marratxí, Alcudia, Campos, Santa Maria del Camí, Binissalem, Sant Joan, Sant Llorenç des Cardassar, Santa Margalida, Soller, Muro, Montuïri, Son Servera, Alaró, Algaida, Andratx, Selva, Santanyí, Artà, Esporles, Pollensa, Ses Salines, Costitx, Llubí, Maria de la Salut, Sencelles, Búger, Valldemossa, Ariany, Banyalbufar, Campanet, Mancor de la Vall, Santa Eugènia, Petra, Deya, Escorca, Estellencs, Fornalutx or Lloret de Vistalegre.

Despite the recent outbreaks in Majorca, the epidemiological situation has improved significantly.

...

The Municipality currently most affected by the pandemic is Palma with 51 active cases, which is 44.73% of the total, but the Balearic Capital is also the most populated city.

...

see full article on the MDB website

Keep staying safe

 

[bobley]

Last time I was in town (feb) I caught flu and stayed in bed all week.

Now, I'm due to fly in 6 days and for the last 5 days I've had something so close to flu.. I can barely stand up!? I even went for a COVID test on tuesday night (negative). I better shift this properly before next week!!

I'm so looking forwards to getting back to my little Spanish mousehole.

 

[Luckyone]

Last time I was in town (feb) I caught flu and stayed in bed all week.

Now, I'm due to fly in 6 days and for the last 5 days I've had something so close to flu.. I can barely stand up!? I even went for a COVID test on tuesday night (negative). I better shift this properly before next week!!

I'm so looking forwards to getting back to my little Spanish mousehole.

To be sure, may be you should have a second test?

 

[bobley]

To be sure, may be you should have a second test?

I'm keeping in touch with the doctors. It has been mentioned

 

[mike_dublin]

https://www.majorcadailybulletin.co...astating-economic-impact-covid-balearics.html

Hotels in the Balearic Islands hosted 313,145 guests in the first half of this year, a whopping 92% less than the 3,968,781 tourists who registered during the same period last year, according to the latest data from the National Statistics Institute, or INE.

...

There were 99 hotels open in the Balearics in June with 9,824 places available, compared to 1,341 hotels and 360,084 places last year.

...

The INE statistics also revealed that 805 staff were employed by hotels in June this year, compared to 60,350 in 2019.

These statistics are based on a survey, not on official Social Security figures, but the economic impact of the coronavirus is clearly devastating.

see full article on the MDB website

 

[Sparky]

I'm keeping in touch with the doctors. It has been mentioned

With respect to you and anyone thinking of coming, if you have the slightest doubt about your health please do not travel. We have worked so hard to keep this virus at bay and don't want it to all be in vain .

 

[bobley]

Don't worry. Not had any covid symptoms, not even the oddball ones.

 

[mike_dublin]

https://www.majorcadailybulletin.co...llorca-municipalities-active-covid-cases.html

The latest figures from the regional ministry of health, updated on Tuesday, show that 39 of Majorca's 53 municipalities have active cases of coronavirus. While around three out of four municipalities now have cases, three weeks ago (July 20) roughly three out of four had none.

The 25 municipalities which now have cases but didn't have three weeks ago are: Alaro, Alcudia, Algaida, Andratx, Arta, Binissalem, Campanet, Campos, Esporles, Lloret de Vistalegre, Llubi, Maria de la Salut, Marratxi, Muro, Pollensa, Sant Llorenç, Santa Eugenia, Santa Maria del Camí, Santa Margalida, Santanyi, Selva, Sencelles, Soller, Son Servera and Valldemossa.

...

Palma has the most active cases (846), followed by Calvia (58), Llucmajor (49), Inca (40), Marratxi (39), Alcudia (12) and Manacor (11).

In single figures in descending order are: Sa Pobla and Binissalem (9); Felanitx, Santa Margalida, Soller (8); Valldemossa (7); Pollensa (6); Santanyi, Sineu, Vilafranca (5); Alaro, Andratx, Bunyola, Campos, Muro (4); Campanet, Capdepera, Esporles, Santa Maria, Selva, Sencelles, Son Servera (3); Algaida, Arta, Lloseta (2); Consell, Lloret, Llubi, Maria, Porreres, Sant Llorenç, Santa Eugenia (1).

...

It is being pointed out that the regions don't all have the same criteria when conducting diagnostic tests. It could be that the figure in the Balearics is due to more tests having been carried out. The health ministry doesn't supply data per island, but the great majority of new cases are in Majorca.

see full article on the MDB website

Do keep staying safe and healthy

 

[bobley]

Im chilling out trying to recuperate from one bug while avoiding the other. I think social distancing has been forgotten here?

 

[Sparky]

Just announced :-

BREAKING NEWS!!!

Smoking in outside public places to be banned and nightlife venues (clubs) to be closed throughout all of Spain

The Minister of Health, Salvador Illa, announces this morning in a press conference the ban on smoking throughout Spain: "Smoking is prohibited throughout Spain as long as a safety distance cannot be maintained.”

Illa states “We have decided to adopt coordinated measures for the benefit of all the autonomous communities. The first measure is that it is decreed that discos, nightclubs and similar are closed throughout the territory of Spain.”

In hospitality, the minimum distance of 1.5 metres at the bar must be guaranteed and at the tables and a maximum limit of 10 people at each table. The closing time will be at 1:00 in the morning. Customers must not be accepted into the establishment from 00:00 hours.

 

[alcanadakid]

Thanks Sparky.

 

[Miller]

Just announced :-

Us poor cigar smokers to be ostracised again. Can we still sit on the end of the Moll. Perhaps we should have the same rules for the eye watering breath taking perfumes that waft over from the table next door. Nothing quite like fresh sardines flavored with Givenchy etc.

 

[car77]

Not a smoker myself but I always know I'm in Mallorca when I smell the Spanish cigarette smoke! Somehow very nostalgic for me. Years ago you'd get off the plane down the steps into a blast of heat and smell the cigarette smoke of the airport workers. I must be weird! Also love the smell of cigars as it reminds me of a much loved, long gone neighbor who was like a Grandad to me.
Funny how smells can be so evocative.

 

[mike_dublin]

https://www.majorcadailybulletin.co...municipalities-without-coronavirus-cases.html

..

According to Balearic health ministry figures released on Wednesday, Palma has 1,237 active cases. The second highest number is 107 in Calvia. Then come Llucmajor (94); Marratxi (79); Manacor (48); Inca (46); Sa Pobla (28); Alcudia (22); Soller (20); Esporles (16); Binissalem (15); Arta, Felanitx and Pollensa, each with 14; Alaro (13); Campos, Santa Maria and Son Servera, each with eleven; and Capdepera (10).

...

see full article on the MDB website