ARCHIVED - Valencia government plans to lift curfew on the Costa Blanca from June 7

This is one of a number of relaxed restrictions expected across the region's provinces, Alicante, Valencia and Castellon from next week.

The Valencia government has announced plans to lift the current 1am to 6am curfew across the region, along with the gradual reopening of nightlife venues.

After more than seven months in force, the nightly mobility restrictions look set to be abolished and discos and nightclubs given a chance to progressively return to normal.

Meanwhile, the hospitality sector is calling for an extension of opening hours of one hour - meaning they can stay open until 2.30am - with an indoor capacity of 75 per cent, though it's not clear whether this will be agreed.

What does look to be a certainty, however, is the scrapping of the mandatory use of masks on beaches and in open green spaces and parks after they were deemed "safe places".

A final decision will be made at regional goverment level on Thursday, June 3, but the president of the Valencia government, Ximo Puig revealed today that these are the proposals which will be put forward.

For 11 consecutive weeks, Valencia region has had one of the lowest Covid incidence rates in Spain, but all the same, the public is being urged to remain cautious following a slight upturn in infections and hospital admissions across the region, though ICU admissions are down.

The region is ramping up the roll-out of its vaccination campaign with two direct air shipments of Pfizer vaccine to be delivered each week from this month.

IMAGE: Archive