The new Covid-19 restrictions for Three Kings' Day across Spain
Several regions across Spain have announced new Covid-19 restrictions for the Three Kings' festival and following days. Here's a look at some of the main restrictions to take note of.
Madrid
From Monday, January 4th, new restriction measures regarding movement have come into force, which will affect more than half a million citizens. Movement has been restricted in 18 different health regions and five different municipalities. Everyone is prohibited from entering or leaving each area, except for justified reasons.
These areas include Marques de la Valdavia and Alcobendas-Chopera in Alcobendas; Las Olivas and Aranjuez, in Aranjuez; San Fernando and Los Alperchines in San Fernando de Henares; Virgen del Cortijo, in the district of Hortaleza de Madrid capital; and the area of Torrelodones, which includes the municipalities of Torrelodones and Hoyo de Manzanares.
These restrictions are also in place for the smaller areas of Ciempozuelos, Navalcarnero, Algete, Mejorada del Campo and Villarejo de Salvanés.
All these areas have recorded more than 400 Covid-19 cases per 100,00 inhabitants. Currently, these measures are in place for 14 days until January 18th, but will not be applicable on Three Kings' or Reyes Day on January 6th.
Catalonia
Catalonia announced new restrictions and extensions to the Covid regulations. From January 7th, the borders between municipalities will be closed from Monday to Sunday.
Stores can only open if they do not exceed 400 square metres and shopping centres will be closed. At weekends, all shops will close except the most essential. Bars and restaurants will keep their current restrictions opening for breakfast from 7.30am to 9.30am and for lunch from 1.30pm to 3.30pm only.
Six people only can meet, apart from on Three Kings’ Day eve, when up to 10 can meet, providing they’re not from more than two different households.
Valencia
Because of the dramatic increase in cases and hospitalisations in Valencia, The Union of Community Consumers has asked for extreme measures to be taken to decentralise shopping for Three Kings’ Day to avoid “unnecessary crowds which impede compliance with social distancing”.
A curfew will be in place for Three Kings' Day from 11pm and the border around Valencia will remain closed until at least January 15.
Andalusia
Up until January 6, a maximum of 10 people will be able to meet for family celebrations and dinners, but only if they are cohabiting. No more than two different households can join together.
Eight municipalities near Gibraltar have been forced to close their borders, due to the increase in infections there, and the area of Peñón has also been forced into confinement for four days.
Until January 10th, shops and other establishments can stay open until 9pm and bars can open in two shifts, from the morning until 6pm and from 8pm to 10.30pm.
The Andalusian government was due to meet on January 4th to discuss whether current measures will be extended past January 10th.
Balearic Islands
A curfew of 10pm will remain in place all week, even on Three Kings’ Day. Bars, cafes and restaurants in Mallorca continue to close at 6pm and shops, except those which sell essential items, will close by 8pm.
Family gatherings for Three Kings' Day will be limited to six people, except in Ibiza, where up to 10 can meet.
Formentera has also restricted social gatherings to a maximum of six people, both indoors and outdoors.
Canary Islands
A curfew of 11pm remains in place for the islands and up to 10 people are allowed to meet for Three Kings’ Day celebrations. Bars and restaurants can stay open until people need to leave to get home before curfew.
Murcia
The border of Murcia will open on January 6 to allow family members only to visit relatives. Nine municipalities currently have border closures. Shops will only be allowed to open until 6pm on January 5 and 6 and there is a curfew in place from 11pm.
A maximum of six people can meet, apart from on Three Kings’ Day, when 10 people can meet for celebratory dinners.
Basque Country
The borders of the Basque Country are currently closed and a curfew remains in place from 10pm. A maximum of six people are allowed for Kings’ Day celebrations and dinners.
Authorities in the Basque Country were due to meet on January 4th, to decide if more restrictions should be put in place.
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Madrid
From Monday, January 4th, new restriction measures regarding movement have come into force, which will affect more than half a million citizens. Movement has been restricted in 18 different health regions and five different municipalities. Everyone is prohibited from entering or leaving each area, except for justified reasons.
These areas include Marques de la Valdavia and Alcobendas-Chopera in Alcobendas; Las Olivas and Aranjuez, in Aranjuez; San Fernando and Los Alperchines in San Fernando de Henares; Virgen del Cortijo, in the district of Hortaleza de Madrid capital; and the area of Torrelodones, which includes the municipalities of Torrelodones and Hoyo de Manzanares.
These restrictions are also in place for the smaller areas of Ciempozuelos, Navalcarnero, Algete, Mejorada del Campo and Villarejo de Salvanés.
All these areas have recorded more than 400 Covid-19 cases per 100,00 inhabitants. Currently, these measures are in place for 14 days until January 18th, but will not be applicable on Three Kings' or Reyes Day on January 6th.
Catalonia
Catalonia announced new restrictions and extensions to the Covid regulations. From January 7th, the borders between municipalities will be closed from Monday to Sunday.
Stores can only open if they do not exceed 400 square metres and shopping centres will be closed. At weekends, all shops will close except the most essential. Bars and restaurants will keep their current restrictions opening for breakfast from 7.30am to 9.30am and for lunch from 1.30pm to 3.30pm only.
Six people only can meet, apart from on Three Kings’ Day eve, when up to 10 can meet, providing they’re not from more than two different households.
Valencia
Because of the dramatic increase in cases and hospitalisations in Valencia, The Union of Community Consumers has asked for extreme measures to be taken to decentralise shopping for Three Kings’ Day to avoid “unnecessary crowds which impede compliance with social distancing”.
A curfew will be in place for Three Kings' Day from 11pm and the border around Valencia will remain closed until at least January 15.
Andalusia
Up until January 6, a maximum of 10 people will be able to meet for family celebrations and dinners, but only if they are cohabiting. No more than two different households can join together.
Eight municipalities near Gibraltar have been forced to close their borders, due to the increase in infections there, and the area of Peñón has also been forced into confinement for four days.
Until January 10th, shops and other establishments can stay open until 9pm and bars can open in two shifts, from the morning until 6pm and from 8pm to 10.30pm.
The Andalusian government was due to meet on January 4th to discuss whether current measures will be extended past January 10th.
Balearic Islands
A curfew of 10pm will remain in place all week, even on Three Kings’ Day. Bars, cafes and restaurants in Mallorca continue to close at 6pm and shops, except those which sell essential items, will close by 8pm.
Family gatherings for Three Kings' Day will be limited to six people, except in Ibiza, where up to 10 can meet.
Formentera has also restricted social gatherings to a maximum of six people, both indoors and outdoors.
Canary Islands
A curfew of 11pm remains in place for the islands and up to 10 people are allowed to meet for Three Kings’ Day celebrations. Bars and restaurants can stay open until people need to leave to get home before curfew.
Murcia
The border of Murcia will open on January 6 to allow family members only to visit relatives. Nine municipalities currently have border closures. Shops will only be allowed to open until 6pm on January 5 and 6 and there is a curfew in place from 11pm.
A maximum of six people can meet, apart from on Three Kings’ Day, when 10 people can meet for celebratory dinners.
Basque Country
The borders of the Basque Country are currently closed and a curfew remains in place from 10pm. A maximum of six people are allowed for Kings’ Day celebrations and dinners.
Authorities in the Basque Country were due to meet on January 4th, to decide if more restrictions should be put in place.
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