BENI-STORM
Spain coronavirus – Brit tourists devastated after ‘disastrous’ Benidorm and Majorca lockdowns ruin holidays
BRIT holidaymakers are furious as Benidorm and Majorca impose strict coronavirus lockdowns just days before St Patrick's Day.
The "disastrous" measures will see bars and clubs CLOSED as of midnight tonight as part of Spain's Italy-style red-zones in an attempt to halt the spread of deadly coronavirus.
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The Balearic Government is ordering the closure of all discos, clubs, pubs, nightclubs, gyms and sports facilities in Majorca and Ibiza in a bid to stop the spread.
It comes as the Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced the country would formally declare a state of emergency tomorrow.
Spain has today seen the number of confirmed cases leap by more than 25 per cent – from just over 3,000 to 4,209.
Its death toll has skyrocketed by nearly 50 per cent – from 84 to 120.
There are currently 26 cases of coronavirus in the Balearics and there has been one death - a woman in her 60s who already had underlying health problems.
But some tourists are furious with the measures.
Shannon Glancy said: “Meant to fly out to Benidorm tomorrow for Paddys Day and it’s just been announced that all bars, clubs, restaurants etc are closed for minimum 15 days as of midnight tonight.”
Another said: “Gutted. Flying to Benidorm on Tuesday and they’ve closed all bars and restaurants.”
Everton fan Paul Smith said he heard the news as he headed for the airport as his holiday neared an end.
Author Sam Michaels, who lives in another part of Spain which is also affected, said: “Restaurants and bars closed too here.
“Benidorm will be like a ghost town.”
And tourist Mike Jarman, from Birmingham, on his way to meet friends for a boozy afternoon, said: “I’m on the second day of my holiday.
“It was meant to be a week of fun away with some mates but this is going to change everything.
“If I had known it was going to be this bad I would never have come.”
Balaeric president Francina Armengol has stressed the importance of "individual responsibility" as health bosses in the country scramble to stem the spread.
Bars and pubs across Benidorm and Majorca tonight are reportedly crammed full of tourists attempting to see off the last night of boozing in the popular tourist spots.
Snaps show holidaymakers in fancy dress pushing on with Cheltenham celebrations tonight before the 12 pm police-enforced lockdown.
Karen Maling Cowles, president of the Benidorm British Business Association said: "It’s all happened very suddenly and I think it’s hit people in the face very suddenly.
“Everywhere in Spain is going to be in the same situation very shortly.
“I’m telling people we’re all going to be in the same boat and we can rebuild ourselves.
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"Lock-ins are banned and bars who organise them will be fined.
“I would urge holidaymakers who are out and about tonight to respect the closure orders when they come in.
“The police are going to enforce them. I am sure people will understand this is a public order emergency and cooperate with what the authorities are telling them they must do.”
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