The Department of Health has indicated that the details are still being drafted and the new ruling that makes masks compulsory in all public spaces regardless of social distancing may be delayed.
"The resolution, that will decree the obligatory use of the mask, will be published in the Official Butlletí de les Balears or BOIB on Monday" and is effective the same day, but the details "cannot be confirmed” explained a Health Department Spokesperson.
Apparently the devil is in the detail and it's the exact wording of where and when masks should be mandatory that's causing delays in drafting the document.
“The Government wants to be sure everything is very clear and that there’s no confusion over the text or how it’s interpreted,” said a Spokesperson.
The resolution will also specify which masks are valid and which are not. Masks that work with valves will not be acceptable because they only protect the wearer, not third parties.
Anyone who doesn’t wear a mask will be fined 100 euros but the Government says there will be some leeway in the first few days of the ruling.
Business and Hotel Management Sectors have warned that forcing people to wear a mask has caused a wave of cancellations of tourist reservations and there are fears that the new ruling will harm economic recovery.
The Health Department has denied that the delay in publishing the resolution is in any way related to these criticisms.
Validity of fines
The regulation establishing sanctions of up to 600,000 for promoting parties in public or private places in the Balearic Islands was published on Friday.
Minor offences, such as exceeding capacity, not wearing face masks or not complying with social distance rules can be fined €100-€3,000.
Serious offences, which include organising or participating in meetings or parties where crowding prevents or hinders health and safety protocols or putting people’s health at risk will result in penalties of €3,001-€60,000.
Very serious offences, such as the commercialisation of parties in public or private places, not complying with capacity limitations, having a dance floor and putting people’s health at risk because of crowding will result in fines of up to 600,000 euros and the establishment involved will be shut down for a maximum period of years even if the venue changes hands.
The sanctions also apply to party boats, tourist rentals and private houses and if an illegal party is held in holiday accommodation the owners will be banned from advertising it for 3 years.
The State Security Bodies and Forces initially had some doubts about the validity of the party ruling, but an agreement between the State and the Government has confirmed its legality.
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Shambolic doesn’t do this justice. It’s an omnishambles par excellence. Just when I thought the Spanish govt had pulled ahead of Boris’ blustering buffoonery, they do this.
Another question. I had asked about being required to wear a mask even when driving a motorcycle, or bicycling, or on a patinete, or driving alone in a car, or skatboarding, or rollerblading, or jogging???? Seems ridiculous in those situations. So, what about the thousands of people who have to step outside to smoke? Do they poke a hole in their mask to do so?
Of course nothing to do with people cancelling their holidays.
Delayed for now- possible canceled. It's a ruling made purely for political reasons or just as likely corruption.
It will be super-funny, when tourists develop a white stripe in the middle of their faces in the Spanish sun.
For cryin' out loud....would somebody PLEASE make up my mind for me? Another day, another set of "clarifications".
All I read is money, money, money. They can´t issue a properly worded document, but the fines are already crystal clear and accurately defined.
It is a pity there is no "right to properly breath" in the constitution.
This would be a small victory for reason and comon sense, which in itself should not be seen as a small thing. Considering the times we live in.
Just waiting to see if we need to cancel our holiday or not, if they make an exemption for guests within their own hotel/hotel complex then that will be fine and won’t ruin the holiday, but if you have to wear one every time you leave the room to go to the pool/restaurant/facilities within the hotel, then that will just ruin any chance of a relaxing break. Wearing them in the street, public places I understand, but within your own accommodation...... bonkers especially to the tourism industry!