ARCHIVED - Valencia government extends restrictions and mask wearing outdoors until July 15

The extension across the region's three provinces, including Alicante, follows a rebound in Covid infections.

The Valencian government has extended restrictions and mask wearing outdoors for another fortnight following a surge in Covid infections.

The current restrictions on hospitality and nightlife opening hours, and capacity of various establishments, will remain in place until July 15, with president of the regional government Ximo Puig recommending masks are worn outdoors, except for on beaches and in open spaces such as parks, provided there is social distancing of 1.5 metres. 

The only exception to the restrictions are 'casalas falleros', venues that host the traditional Valencian Fallas festivities, which will be allowed to open with fixed hours (to be set by municipalities).
 
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health's focus is now on younger age groups, with 20 people under the age of 34 currently admitted to hospitals across the region, including an 18-year-old boy who was moved into ICU today, Tuesday, June 29, in Elche in the Baix Vinolopo comarca of Alicante province.

The teenager is among 1,167 infected across Spain in a 'macro outbreak' following end-of-year school trips to Mallorca.

In the Valencia region, there are currently 89 confirmed positives as a result and 475 tests have been carried out on students from 23 high schools.

Puig has urged young people to "maintain the same attitude they had during the hardest moments of the pandemic when they saved their elders with responsibility", adding responsible behaviour is vital with "only two months left to achieve group immunity".

The cumulative incidence in the 15 to 29 age group is more than double the average in the region, with 172 cases per 100,000 people, compared to 75 cases nationally. 

And health data shows that 62 per cent of outbreaks has a social origin, with 24 per cent originating within the family environment.

IMAGE: Archive