Gibraltar closes all bars, cafes, restaurants and nightclubs from 8pm each night to fight Coronavirus

AS the Moroccan Government suspended passenger ferries between Morocco and Gibraltar leaving some Gibraltar families marooned, the Gibraltar Government has offered them assistance in trying to get them home.

It has also made the difficult decision to close all bars, restaurants and nightclubs from 8pm nightly, starting today (Friday March 13) as a measure to slow the spread of coronavirus and a legal notice to that effect has been published.

A further decision may be taken over the course of the coming hours and days to close these establishments completely at some time in the future.

It argues that Public Health evidence indicates that social distancing is the single most important measure that can be taken and can slow the spread of the virus by up to 60 per cent.

Takeaways and delivery services from all bars, cafeterias and restaurants will be allowed to continue as normal but customers are strongly advised to maintain a distance of at least an arm’s length in any queues and to maintain strict hand hygiene practices, washing hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water.

The Government strongly recommends using delivery services as a preferred option. Where possible, customers should pay electronically and ask delivery services to knock and leave the delivery at the door for pickup.