ARCHIVED - Return of Covid night curfews in 32 Valencian municipalities

Social and family gatherings are also limited as infections soar.

Night curfews have been reinstated in 32 Valencian municipalities, along with limitations on social and family gatherings, which are once again restricted to a maximum of 10 people in a bid to curb soaring infections.

The new measures have been authorised by the Valencian Supreme Court and will see night time curfews between 1am and 6am in 32 towns with more than 5,000 until July 25, with all bars and restaurants forced to close at 12.30am (last service at midnight).

The region now has the seventh highest 14-day cumulative incidence rate in Spain, rising almost 100 points in four days to 357.42 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.

And the pressure is being felt in hospitals, with 372 patients admitted across the three provinces, including Alicante, which represents 3.35 per cent of occupied beds.

According to the Supreme Court, the tightening of measures is a "necessary" step to tackle the "exponential growth in infections", the growing presence of the Delta variant, an "increase in hospitalisations" and the fact primary care centres are "close to collapse".

"The limitation to night time mobility is much more effective than other existing measures to try to prevent botellon street drinking sessions", adds the court, with offenders facing fines of up to €30,000.

The curfew affects the following municipalities: San Vicente del Raspeig, Benicàssim, Alaquàs, Alboraia, Aldaia, Almàssera, Benaguasil, Benetússer, Benifaió, Bunyol, Burjassot, Catarroja, el Puig, Gandia, l'Eliana, Meliana, Mislata, Moncada, Paterna, Picanya, Picassent, Puçol, Quart de Poblet, Requena, Riba-roja de Túria, Sedaví, Silla, Tavernes Blanques, Utiel, Valencia, Vilamarxant and Xirivella.

IMAGE: Archive