Elda and Petrer – first towns to close borders in Alicante

The decree enforcing border closures in Elda and Petrer have been published in the Diari Oficial de la Generalitat Valenciana – read in Spanish here.

The Generalitat Valenciana has decreed the closure of municipal borders surrounding Elda and Petrer – in Alicante’s mountainous interior.

Residents will face fines if they enter or leave the two municipalities without justified cause for 14 days, from 00:00 tomorrow morning.

Exceptions are the same as those for entering or leaving the Valencian Community – read those rules in the DOGV in Spanish here.

The English translation is:

1. Assistance to health centres, services and establishments.
2. Compliance with labor, professional, business, institutional or legal obligations.
3. Attendance at university, teaching and educational centres, including nursery schools.
4. Return to the place of habitual or family residence.
5. Assistance and care for the elderly, minors, dependents, people with disabilities or especially vulnerable people.
6. Travel to financial and insurance entities or stations of refuelling in neighbouring territories.
7. Required or urgent actions before public bodies, judicial or notarial. h) Renewals of permits and official documentation, as well as other administrative procedures that cannot be postponed.
8. Taking exams or official tests that cannot be postponed.
9. Due to force majeure or situation of necessity.
10. Any other activity of a similar nature, duly accredited

COVID-19

It comes as Elda has seen an accumulated incidence (AI) of 882 cases per 100,000 over the last 14 days.

Petrer has recorded an AI of 834 cases per 100,000 over the last 14 days.

As Petrer falls under the health department of Elda, this translates as more than 1,000 new COVID-19 diagnoses have been recorded in the last 14 days.

This is a third of the total amount of positives recorded since March; some 2,930.

Two care homes have also seen new outbreaks, with 131 infected and six in hospital.