The President of the Generalitat Valenciana, Ximo Puig, has just appeared, together with the Minister of Health, Ana Barceló, to convey the new measures adopted in the Valencian Community after the agreement reached at the Interdepartmental Table held this afternoon. "We take tough measures, but according to the contagion curve, we are forced to do so to cut off social contacts. Until now, the measures have not been enough and we cannot continue like this, the incidence of the virus is at very high levels", indicates Puig.
The president has regretted taking these measures, "It is sad and painful to make these decisions, because the restrictions have consequences for a sector such as the hospitality industry".
The measures filed, which will last 14 days, from midnight today until February 4, include the total closure of the hospitality industry in the Community, except the cafeteria service in hotels, which will be used exclusively by clients, and takeaway, shops close at 18 pm, except food, pharmacies, hygiene, orthopedics, opticians, hairdressing services and veterinary centers and the closure of sports facilities.
The President has also indicated that the Government of Spain will be asked to advance the curfew at 20 p.m., although for the moment it remains until 22 p.m.
The autonomic closure in terms of mobility remains in force until January 31, although the perimeter of the municipalities that were isolated are eliminated, "Despite being closed, the number of infections has continued to increase", has stated the Minister of Health. Likewise, the rest of the restrictions that were active, such as the maximum number of social encounters for 6 people, are still in force.
Home confinement
The head of the Consell points out that he rules out home confinement because the Consell does not have powers of the autonomous government, "The Generalitat does not have powers in this restriction, it is an extreme measure that can only be decreed by the Spanish Government, which at this time is ruling it out".
In this sense, he has pointed out that confinement has serious side effects and is associated with physical and mental health problems, while generating profound inequalities in many groups, therefore "a measure of such magnitude needs to be weighed very well."
The president has assured that "Beyond the incidence of the virus, we are not in the same situation in March, when there were no masks and it was not possible to go out to the street or to work safely". Thus, he stressed that "Now, if we comply with the indications and we do not remove the mask, so the risk of being in the open space has nothing to do with the one in March."
Measurements detail
For its part, the Minister of Health has clarified on the new measures that the closure also affects youth leisure centers, senior citizens, toy libraries and parties, in addition to what is indicated (restaurants, bars and cafes, except take away food, hospitality hospitals, in hotels for clients only, hospitality in companies for employees, school canteens and service areas).
Closing at 18 pm includes bingo halls, casinos, recreational games and betting rooms, and commercial premises. In sports facilities it is extended to clubs and gyms. Visits to student residences are prohibited. In addition, the capacity for wakes, funerals and other celebrations is reduced, being 15 people outdoors and 10 in closed spaces. These measures will also apply to non-religious ceremonies that may be held in public or private facilities.
Ximo Puig has outlined the importance of individual responsibility so as not to transfer the hotel business to homes, "since about 60% of infections occur in homes". The President stressed that "Hopefully these measures are sufficient within 14 days and we will not have to adopt more."
