Like many other parts of the world, Ibiza is slowly – but surely – returning to normal. In fact, the Spanish island is planning to reopen bars and restaurants next month. However, only outdoor areas will be opened on March 2nd. The indoor areas will open on March 16th, if the establishment has a CO2 meter installed and COVID-19 cases continue to trend downward.
Those measures are part of the de-escalation plan of the Balearic government, published by the news outlet The Olive Press on February 18th. After months of lockdown in Ibiza, you would think businesses received this news with relief – but not that much. The Confederation of Business Associations in the Balearics declared that the de-escalation timeline is “unsatisfactory”. The reason behind this claim is that only 20% of bars and restaurants in Mallorca have outdoor areas.
Nonetheless, having people back in bars will certainly have benefits for the economy. As a matter of fact, tourism represents more than 80% of the economy in Ibiza and nightclubs are a big part of it, as edmtunes reports.
You can read more about the announcement via The Olive Press.
In October last year, it was announced that the Ibiza government has plans for rapid COVID-19 testing systems to open a tourist corridor in 2021. As reported by Nou Diari, the agreed protocol with the relative governing bodies, announced by Moroto, explains that every tourist arriving in the Balaeric or Canary Islands from another country, with an AI (infection rate) of 50 or less per 100,000 inhabitants in the last 14 days, will not undergo testing on arrival. Tourists who come from countries with an AI greater than 50 will have to present a negative test carried out less than 48 hours before the flight.
The world’s best-known party island, Ibiza has been heavily impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Frequent restriction changes, extortionate fines and bans on dancing, parties and smoking have affected the music and hospitality industries hugely. But while it’s hit locals hard, the pause in summer season has also given time for a reset and for the White Isle to regenerate. In a recent feature for DJ Mag, Anu Shukla travelled to Ibiza to investigate.
