Is it safe to holiday in Mallorca?
Sunday, July 26th, 2020
The latest news has dealt a blow to many of us – the UK is once again asking travellers returning from Spain, including the Balearic Islands, to quarantine for 14 days. Is it no longer safe to travel to Mallorca?
The Foreign Office is now advising against all but essential travel to mainland Spain. This is due to the country experiencing several regional coronavirus outbreaks, which are being controlled by the re-introduction of some restrictions in the areas concerned.
The Foreign Office does not advise against travel to the Balearic Islands, including Mallorca. The rate of infections on the Balearics has been low ever since the start of the pandemic. Over the last few months, the number of cases has decreased even further. Current statistics reveal that 38 of the 53 municipalities in Mallorca, i.e. over 70%, do not have any cases of coronavirus.
The majority of infections – approximately 45% of the total number identified on the island – are in the capital, Palma. The latest figures state a total of 58 cases in the capital – a negligible percentage of the city’s 416,000 inhabitants. Accordingly, the number of cases across the island is very low; on Thursday, 23rd July, only 122 cases were registered in the whole of the Balearic Islands.
The Balearic Government is working hard to maintain this situation and has introduced a variety of safety regulations and preventative measures. As reported previously, thermal imaging cameras measure the body temperature of all new arrivals to the island and everyone is required to complete an entry questionnaire. The wearing of face masks has become obligatory since July 13th.
After violations of the distancing rules in Playa de Palma and Magaluf, several clubs and bars in those areas have been closed until further notice. This is hoped to put a stop to the excesses these party hotspots are known for, in an effort to keep the risk of infection on the island as low as possible.
In order to prevent the increase of infections in the local population, the Balearic Health Authority has a dedicated team of around 150 people working tirelessly in tracing any contacts of newly reported infections.
All in all, Mallorca has been and continues to be a safe place to visit in these uncertain times. Unfortunately, this does not mean that travellers returning from the island are exempt from the latest UK quarantine rules which, even if regarded as unnecessary by some, still need to be adhered to.
