Well the most exciting and talked-about thing since last Sunday has been the decision to restrict the movement in and out (exceptions apply - see below) of certain large towns (the affected towns in our province are Torrevieja, Orihuela+Costa, Elche, Alicante, Benidorm, Alcoy and Elda-Petrer) in our region from Friday 3pm till Monday 6am every weekend and also on bank holidays till at least the 15th February, in order to attempt to curb the spread of coronavirus. The hospitals are under enormous pressure at the moment, and these measures, together with the closing of all bars and restaurants, closing of non-essential shops after 6pm, restrictions on visitors to your home (only workmen and 1 person who lives on their own allowed, and that person can only do it with one household and vise versa), and the banning of associating or exercising with more than one other person from another household in public places, the curfew at 10pm, and the continued wearing of facemasks and social distancing at all times in public, and the existing restrictions regarding leaving or entering the region of the Valencian community (ie no trips to Murcia or other regions) and the banning of entering the country by air and sea except for residents with proof of residency......Anyway, back to the new rule which takes effect at 3pm today and is causing a lot of concern. Firstly, remember that regardless of where you live and where you want to travel to, you are being advised to think carefully about whether your journey is really necessary, since the less we move about, and the less people we come into contact with, the safer it will be for everyone. But if you do need to make a journey over the weekend, you will be allowed to if:
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your destination is within your own town boundary (eg Entre Naranjos or Torremendo which are both in Orihuela, going to La Zenia which is also in Orihuela)
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your start and destination are both in two towns that aren't confined (eg San Miguel to Los Montesinos)
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your start and destination are both in two towns that aren't confined but you have to drive through a section of a confined town to get there (eg San Miguel to Pilar de la Horadada passing through Orihuela Costa) - but you mustn't stop in the confined town
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People who prove that they are working during the weekend or holidays and justify the need will be able to enter and leave the 15 closed perimeter locations.
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People who have habitual residence in one of these cities and are away at the time the closure applies, will be able to return and stay there all weekend or on public holidays.
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Assistance to health centers, services and establishments [this may include pharmacies but I am not sure]
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Compliance with labor, professional, business, institutional or legal obligations.
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Assistance and care for the elderly , minors, dependents, people with disabilities or especially vulnerable people.
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Travel to financial and insurance entities or refueling stations in neighboring territories.
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Required or urgent actions before public, judicial or notarial bodies.
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Due to force majeure or situation of need.
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Any other activity of a similar nature, duly accredited.
Although it is up to all of us to use common sense and follow the rules even if we think we can get away with it, the police WILL be out checking, and you could end up with a 600 euros fine, just like our friends who were both fined 600 euros each for trying to drive from San Miguel to Mercadona during the first lockdown, because they thought it was cheaper at Mercadona !! By the way, just to cover my back, I don't take any responsibility for any of the above advice in the event that I've got any of it wrong!! Also, one final thought, just remember that staying at home is better than staying in hospital. Look after yourselves!
PS - several maps have been published on here recently to try to help you know where town boundaries are, but some of them have minor errors. If you have any doubts about which town your destination is in, go to maps.google.es, find your destination, right-click it and select "What's Here?" - the name of the town should appear.
Archive photograph of police controls in Alcoy. JUANI RUZ