The Regional High Public Health Impact Committee, which met this afternoon at the San Telmo Palace, has decided to review the measures according to the current data and the downward trend in the evolution of the pandemic.
In this sense, in the last two weeks the downward trend in the incidence of Covid-19 that had been observed has been accentuated, placing Andalusia at a low risk level. The cumulative incidence rate has fallen to 98 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in 14 days and the rate in the young population has dropped significantly.
The vaccination campaign in Andalusia has already achieved a coverage rate of 86.5% of the total Andalusian population over the age of 12, with full vaccination coverage of 73.1% in the 20-29 age group and over 66.8% complete coverage in the 12-19 age group in the last two weeks. In the coming days, higher full vaccination coverage is expected, exceeding 80% in these age groups. As for the general population, 76.2% of the Andalusian population is fully vaccinated.
With the necessary caution in the de-escalation of preventive measures and continuing with the daily monitoring of the evolution of the disease in Andalusia, the Committee of Experts has decided to review the measures, among which the following stand out:
- Nightlife establishments: the number of diners at tables indoors is the same for both levels 2 and 1, going from 6 to 8 diners. Thus, they would be the same as in catering for both levels.
- Beaches: measures for night-time beach closures are removed at level 2 alert.
- Religious worship indoors and outdoors: the capacity is increased to 100% in places of worship, maintaining the greatest possible interpersonal distance, at alert level 1 with the recommended hygiene and sanitary conditions. For external worship (processions on the public highway), a series of recommendations are made, such as that the people carrying the images should be fully vaccinated or have a certificate of recovery from the disease; that those people taking part in the procession should wear masks; that the number of people carrying the images should be the minimum necessary, without detriment to safety, and that the greatest possible safe distance between them should be ensured. Thus, itineraries should not be long and should cross roads or streets wide enough to avoid crowds of people, avoiding narrow streets; they should take place on days and at times that minimise large crowds of people, and in the event of being accompanied by music bands, these should comply with current regulations and appropriate surveillance measures should be taken to avoid crowds of people.
- Children’s recreational establishments: in level 1, two groups of users are allowed to stay simultaneously, as long as they do not coincide in the same play area of the establishment. For example, one group will be allowed to have a snack and another in the playroom, and the capacity will be increased to 100% in outdoor areas and 75% in enclosed areas in level 1 alert. At alert level 2 it would be extended to 60% outdoors and 50% indoors.
- Sports facilities: 100% capacity is allowed in level 1 alert for physical-sports practice in conventional outdoor sports spaces and facilities. 75% is maintained for indoor use. The limit for the end of non-conventional sporting events and competitions is raised to 01:00 hours.
- Theatres, cinemas and auditoriums: capacity is increased to 100% in level 1 alert while maintaining the greatest possible interpersonal distance and hygienic-sanitary conditions.
- Zoological, botanical and geological establishments (including aquariums): at alert levels 1 and 2, the permitted capacity is increased to 100% in open spaces and to 75% in enclosed spaces.
- Gaming and betting establishments and premises: the opening hours of the catering activity carried out in these establishments and premises are the same as those of the rest of the catering industry, and in alert levels 1 and 2 the occupancy of tables is extended to 8 people indoors and 10 outdoors.
- Selective tests: the obligation of prior authorisation from Public Health for the holding of in-person selective tests of the public administrations of the Andalusian Regional Government at alert levels 1 and 2 is no longer in effect. However, the preventive measures protocols established for these selective tests will be followed.
- Universities: Andalusian public and private universities may continue to carry out their activities in person. In any case, they must adopt the organisational and preventive measures indicated by the health authority. In this sense, the measures for this academic year 2021/22 have been updated -in coherence with the update approved by the national Public Health Commission- with the aim of allowing students to be as face-to-face as possible (as long as the epidemiological situation allows it), and all these measures will come into force from 0:00 hours on Thursday 16 September.
