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Date Published: 24/11/2021

ARCHIVED - Spain decides against bar closures but modifies traffic light system

ARCHIVED ARTICLE

Authorities in Spain agree to more flexibility before restrictive measures have to be imposed

<span style='color:#780948'>ARCHIVED</span> - Spain decides against bar closures but modifies traffic light system

Less than a week after the Ministry of Health’s proposal to alter Spain’s Covid traffic light system was largely dismissed by the majority of the autonomous communities in favour of more pressing discussions, a decision was made on Tuesday November 23 to definitively rule out early closures for bars and nightlife venues in areas considered to be at higher risk. Instead, in order to avoid more stringent restrictions as coronavirus numbers continue to climb, a more relaxed Covid traffic light system will be implemented.

In a move welcomed by the hospitality industry, the possibility of limiting opening hours and capacity has been dismissed. Instead, the new and more “flexible” system will raise the level of infections and hospitalisations allowed before restrictions have to be implemented. All autonomous communities agreed on Tuesday that the way forward is to push the vaccination campaign, ensure adequate ventilation in enclosed spaces and encourage the use of masks.

What does the updated traffic light system entail?

From now on, the cumulative incidence rate (AI) will have four distinct risk levels, the lowest of which will no longer be called the ‘new normal’ but rather, ‘controlled circulation’.

The low risk level will allow a 14-day AI of 50 to 100 cases per 100,000 inhabitants instead of 25 to 50 as in the old traffic light system; the average level rises to a range of between 100 and 300 cases instead of 50 to 150; the high, from 300 to 500, instead of 150 to 250 and AI of more than 500 cases per 100,000 inhabitants will signify very high risk, which previously started at just 250.

Hospital pressure

While the daily Covid figures in Spain always took hospital occupancy rates as one of the most important indicators of how the pandemic is progressing, the modified system will also look at how many new patients have been admitted in the last week. According to the experts, this will give a more accurate representation of the evolution of the health situation.

Covid Passport

In the same meeting, the Minister of Health categorically refused to issue a unified national plan for the use of Covid certs to access nightlife venues or hospitals, despite the fact that several regions have called for the measure to be adopted and the government itself acknowledges that there are some “imbalances.”

Carolina Darias has agreed to meet with regional representatives to discuss the matter once more on Wednesday November 24.

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