Covid-19
Spain was one of the countries most affected by the pandemic, which does not prevent the country from preparing for the arrival of tourists for the summer.
In Lloret, on the Costa Brava, a drone is responsible for detecting gatherings and encouraging summer visitors, via a pre-recorded message, to maintain safe distances … (Photo Josep LAGO / AFP)
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A drone flies over the beach of Lloret de Mar, where cords now delimit spaces reserved for different ages. The pandemic is under control in Spain but the seaside resorts are preparing to coexist with the virus all summer.
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“It is a question of reconciling comfort and relaxation while being in a safe environment,” explains Jaume Dulset, the mayor of this municipality of 37,000 inhabitants, 70 kilometers northeast of Barcelona.
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While Spain has been one of the countries most affected by the pandemic, with more than 28,300 deaths, this resort on the Costa Brava wants to reassure tourists, who have been able to return since the borders reopened last Sunday.
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The main beaches of Lloret, usually crowded in summer, have been divided into age groups. Cameras with sensors detect the occupancy level of each zone that users can check on an application.
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Municipal staff have been reinforced to combat any inappropriate behavior. A drone is responsible for detecting gatherings and encouraging summer visitors, via a pre-recorded message, to maintain safe distances …
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A system has even been designed to reserve space on the beach, but has not yet been put into service. “As long as we have to do it,” said the mayor of Lloret de Mar, a resort usually popular with the French and the British.
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“Still very few people”
Because if the sun is already scorching, only a handful of bathers have installed lounge chairs and towels on the main beach, which can accommodate some 15,000 people.
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“Normally, it’s already full (at this time). There are still very few people and it’s easy to keep your distance, ”explains José Maria Quicio, a 78-year-old retiree who came with his wife Olga Ferrer, 81.
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The couple put their folding chairs a few meters from the shore, near red ropes delimiting the space reserved for the over 70s. “This is our area,” says Olga, who has just gone to soak in the water. “It makes us feel safer, we are very good there, better than before,” she insists.
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“Save the season”
About fifty meters away, stands the post of the rescuer who, despite the heat, wears a cloth mask under his sunglasses. This summer, he will also have to make sure that distances are respected and frequently disinfect toilets and first aid facilities.
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“Our main goal is that no one drowns. But we will also have to participate in the rest of the tasks, ”explains the rescue coordinator, Joel da Silva.
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The municipal plan also provides for measures in restaurants, hotels or nightclubs and has even funded training in health and hygiene security for 8,500 employees.
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“There is a lot of uncertainty, but (…) we are ready to welcome tourists, we are waiting with open arms, we hope to save the season,” admits the mayor.
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Booking on an application
Like Lloret, many municipalities on the Spanish coast, which has nearly 8,000 km of coastline, have developed strategies to avoid crowds on their beaches, which are very popular with both Spaniards and summer visitors to northern Europe.
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There are many and varied measures: from monitoring occupancy of the beach by sensors to closing access in the event of exceeding the authorized capacity, including prohibiting games that occupy a lot of space or disinfecting sun loungers and parasols.
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“The way we will be able to go to the beach this summer has changed, but that does not mean that we are not going to enjoy it,” says in a promotional video the town hall of Benidorm, a destination in southeast Spain very popular among the British.
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The two main beaches have been divided into plots of four square meters that bathers will have to reserve through an application.
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The system is not yet necessary, however, due to the low influx of visitors to the city of 67,000 inhabitants who, in 2019, had recorded 16 million hotel nights.
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(ATS / NXP)
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