The Costa del Sol, a popular holiday spot with Britons and tourists from across the globe, has issued a chilling warning suggesting that new fines could be put in place if people are caught breaking safety regulations. The new fines will range from €100 (£90.09) to €600,000 (£540,564) and will include powers to close premises flouting the rules for up to five years. The sudden move was announced by the local Andalusian government today.
This would also apply to over-crowding such as breaching capacity limits or holding parties with crowds which would then hinder the coronavirus safety rules.
Anyone resisting police inspections will also face fines, as well as failure to report coronavirus suspicions.
People who have been told to self-isolate will also be fined between €3,001 (£2703) and €60,000 (£54,056) if they fail to comply with the order.
This also applies to contacts of infected people who have been traced by the tracking teams.
The minor offences include breaches of capacity limits when it does not pose a risk of contagion or if it affects less than 15 people.
All premises will be warned of €100 (£90.09) to €3,000 (£2702.82) fines if they breach other regulations, such as failing to display proper signs, social distancing and not ordering people to wear masks.
Analusia has also warned that it will take businesses and people to court if further action is needed.
Spain is currently suffering with localised outbreaks of coronavirus which led the UK Government to remove the nation from its quarantine exemption list.
This means anyone flying into the UK from Spain will now have to isolate for 14 days on their arrival.
On June 20, the country had 334 cases of COVID-19.
Between July 29 and 30, the cases surged to 2,789.
Now, nearly 300,000 tests are being done every week in Spain.
Andalusia currently has had 14,695 cases of coronavirus and 1,455 deaths.
Catalonia, Aragon and Navarra are some of the other regions which have struggled with new cases.
The Foreign Office (FCO) is currently advising “against all non-essential travel to Spain, including the Balearic and Canary Islands, based on the current assessment of COVID-19 risks in the country.”
Additional reporting by Rita Sobot.