After announcing that the Junta would not tighten health measures, the Minister of Health announced a small change to opening hours.

The Minister for Health & Families, Jesús Aguirre, explained that cafeterías could remain open between 18.00h and 20.00h, as long as during this period they did not serve alcohol.

It should be explained that the reason that the Junta insisted on this afternoon closure period was that they were worried about alcohol consumption: it is the custom to order long drinks after lunch; i.e., customers order spirits with soft drink mixes (G&Ts etc). Therefore, it was reasonable to suspect that customers would relax their caution as their alcohol increased.

So, if you shut the bars at 18.00h for two hours, they would have to go home and sleep it off. For this reason cafeterías will be allowed to stay open but without serving alcohol.

Sr. Aguirre wanted to make it clear that the Junta would maintain a “constant evaluation” of the situation; i.e, if figures climb then they will clamp down.

Now, this doesn’t mean that restaurants and bars can stay open – it only affects cafeterías.

Finally, other points announced were that the Axarquía (our Málaga neighbours) will be on Level Two from tomorrow while the Costa Tropical and the Alpujarra remain where we are at Level Three. The city of Granada, on the other hand, goes back to Level Four, Stage One.

Remember, that as of 23.59h tonight, we can move within Andalucia; i.e. cross over into Almería, Málaga or Jaén if we want to.

Editorial note: The difference between Level Four (the city) and Level Three (Costa Tropical/Alpujarra) basically boils down to what percentage of indoor and outdoor space in the hostelry sector can be used.

(News: Andalucia)