First Ibiza COVID test pilot event is in project
By Alexandre Trochut
Clubs outdoor spaces legalized as Terraces
After being reunited earlier this week, the Ocio de Ibiza (International Nightlife Association) made up of 50 associates including (Ushuaïa Ibiza, Ibiza Rocks, Ocean Beach, Destino) and the Balearic Government have given each other one more week to specify when the first COVID pilot test event will take place and especially when the opening of the dance-floors will begin this season.
So far, the first indications are going into the direction that the Balearic Executive will apply the same process for the clubs as they did for the restaurants & bars; First step will see only the exterior areas to be opened (for those that have some) and later, depending on the pandemic' development, the interiors will be allowed to be opened step by step and probably with restrictions.
The meeting maintained with Rosana Morillo, general director of Tourism, and Rubén Castro, director of the Balearic Institute of Occupational Safety and Health. During the meeting, the Ocio asked for an interior COVID test event to be organized & then a two-weeks period of evaluation to be organized but it has been immediately declined by the Government.
1 club, 2 different spaces
Instead, the Government gave the example of the restoration during the de-escalation, meaning they're focusing first on an outdoor COVID test event for the clubs, event the date of which is yet to be specified. According to his José Luis Benítez, practically all the clubs have legalized their exterior surfaces in order to be able to welcome the public and finally be able to work.
To carry out the pilot test, the Government want to know in detail the plans that have offered to carry it out including two separates areas, one for facing and a different one for drinking : Ocio de Ibiza will also have to clarify to the Balearic Executive what will happen to the health data of customers who purchase tickets as stated below :
Few chance for clubs to open in 2021 summer
Benítez explained that he proposed July 2th 2021 for the outdoor COVID test event but it can't be confirmed until next week and if so, clubs will have to wait two more weeks after the event to see the results. So even using the most optimistic calendar, the inside COVID test event could possibly not take place until the last two weeks of July, which means that indoor dancefloors of the Island could not open until the beginning of August at best.