Formentera enters Tier 4 of public health alert

foto 2021 nivell 4Formentera’s top official was joined today by Govern balear spokeswoman Pilar Costa in a press conference to evaluate the local epidemiological situation and announce Formentera’s passage to tier 4 of public health rules. President Alejandra Ferrer traced the change to a surge in infections that has brought total active Covid-19 cases to 114. “The figures are troubling”, said Ferrer, highlighting a growing number of Covid patients at the Formentera hospital as an additional factor in the decision to ask the regional government for an updated response.

The president reminded members of the press that Formentera’s “perimetric sealing-off” was announced a week ago, with Saturday marking the start of a ban on entry and exit if a person’s reasons for travel aren’t specifically included in emergency orders. “These steps have curbed mobility between the two islands”, said Ferrer, “and that helps reduce contact between individuals from different stable bubbles. But it’s taking some time for the positive effects of that to materialise, so we’re asking for new restrictive measures”.

New provisions under Tier 4
Formentera will be in Tier 4 of public health alert from tomorrow until at least 30 January. As part of the biggest changes, while social gatherings indoors and out remain limited to 6 individuals, they may not include more than two households; the curfew starts at 10.00pm, instead of 12 midnight, and remains in effect until 6.00pm; restaurants may not offer indoor seating and must end outdoor service by 10.00pm, except on Fridays, Saturdays and the eves of holidays, when outdoor service must stop by 6.00pm. Take-away orders are allowed until 10.00pm as long as customers do not enter establishments, and food may be delivered until 12 midnight.

The perimetric sealing-off that began 16 January remains in force, and the Balearic government will implement similar provisions on Eivissa starting tomorrow.

As for activities organised by the local government, the president said that all non-official after-school programming would be postponed, with Consell services like the library and cinema forced to adapt to new rules and reduce capacity. Formentera’s government will continue encouraging employees to work from home, assuring the continuation of services, though with a necessary reduction in social contact. The swimming pool will remain closed too, and the fitness centre must cancel all group classes and oversee a wholesale modification of services.

Meeting with PIMEF
Ferrer sat down earlier today with deputy chair and commerce chief Ana Juan along with representatives of Formentera’s league of small- and medium-sized businesses to discuss help for local trade. The Consell works with the regional government to ensure such assistance can be accessed quickly and easily. President Ferrer promised the local government would continue to help hometown businesses by waiving municipal fees.

“The gathering with business owners also served to address the importance of vaccines and a local immunity level of 70% — crucial to Formentera’s ability to reopen for tourism”, said the president.

Ferrer indicated the Govern balear was looking at Formentera’s epidemiological situation in deciding whether or not to implement mass screenings.

Plea for responsibility
President Ferrer once again asked islanders to be responsible, keeping interactions to a minimum and heeding public safety measures. “Open-air activities abound on Formentera”, she said, asserting that islanders need not stay “holed up at home”, while urging people to “play by the rules to keep themselves and the people they love safe”.

To familiarise islanders with updated restrictions, Formentera has put out informational posters with every new phase and tier of public health protocol, distributing them to local restaurants and businesses, posting them both on social media and the Consell de Formentera website and sharing them with media outlets.

22 January 2021
Communications Department
Consell de Formentera