Spain’s Mallorca and the Balearic Region Prepare to Open Their Sandy Beaches In Hopes That They Enter Phase 2 on Monday

Beach lovers in the Balearic Islands are in luck as the regional government is preparing to open its sandy beaches for residents, as long as the Executive approves its proposal to enter Phase 2 on Monday.

This highly anticipated return to the beaches will come at an opportune time as temperatures in Mallorca are expected to rise over the weekend and continue at steady highs of 27 and 28 degrees Celsius all week.
Although the Central Government had initially planned to reopen the beaches of Spain in Phase 3, around June, they have opted to anticipate this date. Now they have more certainty that the virus is not transmitted in water, they have reopened pools and beaches as part of Phase 2 albeit under strict regulations and rules.
Here are some of the rules you must be aware of before going for a swim in Phase 2:

• The Government’s Official State Gazette states that all parties on the beach must ensure there is a minimum distance of two metres between them
• If you are going to the beach in a group then the maximum number of people allowed together is 15, however this does not account for “people living together”
• Another important rule is that all beach users must be responsible from “both an environmental perspective and sanitary point of view”
• Practising sports, either recreationally or professionally, is allowed “as long as it can be carried out individually or with a minimum distance of two metres between participants”

An unknown factor about returning to the beaches is the availability of hammocks, umbrellas or if bars will be providing service to the beach. Municipalities have had various administrative issues especially in terms of having to approve these measures in such a short amount of time.
Phase 2 in the Balearic region will also welcome the reopening of schoolhouses, youth spaces and day centres for the younger population, although this is mainly dependent on municipalities.
Catalina Caldera, the president of the Consell has met with these leisure activity entities and informed them that they are allowed a maximum of 30 participants which must then be divided into subgroups of 10.
If all goes well and the islands move onto Phase 3 of the de-escalation process which is secluded to begin on June 8, this number will increase to 60 with subgroups of 10.
Also, under Phase 3, activities will be extended to summer schools, summer farms, sports activities, volunteer camps etc.
All these activities must be held outdoors or in ventilated spaces and if the minimum two- metre distance cannot be upheld, then masks will be mandatory for all.
In the camps or school farms where children are expected to stay overnight then capacity will be capped at 50 per cent.