New health rules threaten hospitality sector

SPAIN’S Ministry of Health proposes to limit the number of customers at cafes, bars and restaurants if Covid-19 infection levels spike.

The hospitality industry could be ordered to close interior service if local infection rates exceed 150 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in a 14 days period in a particular ‘territory’.

The new measure is a tweak of rules proposed by Carolina Darias and her health ministry in a bid to halt a potential fourth wave of coronavirus and it is currently being debated by the Public Health Commission. Social contact is seen as one of the biggest drivers of infection.

It is intended the change will be presented to the Interterritorial Council of the National Health System, which represents central government and the 17 regional authorities.

The 150 cases per 100,000 people is seen as the ‘high risk’ benchmark and, if agreed, would lead to the “suppression if the service in interior areas of the establishments”.