Spanish campsite to offer 'paradise' zone where social distancing isn't enforced
A coastal campsite in northern Spain has created a so-called “safe” area, where guests do not have to follow strict social distancing measures if they test negative for Covid-19.
To gain access to the special section of the camp, guests at Trillas Platja Tamarit in Tarragona must take a test upon arrival and wait six hours in a holding area for the result to be confirmed. The holiday park has said it will subsidise the fast-track test, but guests must still contribute 100 euros per person if they wish to take it. Throughout the process, all must wear masks and practise social distancing.
Those who are found to be free of Covid-19 can then head to the “paradise” zone, where there are no social distancing rules, no face masks, and guests are free to mingle. The space has a communal sports area, swimming pool and restaurant, which will all be able to operate as normal. In terms of accommodation, there will be 40 mobile homes and 10 pitches available. The area will open during the second half of July.
Conversely, those who test positive for the virus will immediately be taken to hospital, or instructed to self-isolate, and their results will be reported to the local health authority.
A spokesperson from the Catalonia campsite told The Mirror that the novel scheme would: “Allow the essence of human relations, one of the greatest attractions of the camping experience, without masks or fear of approaching other people.”
They added: “It will make it feasible to enjoy a holiday experience with complete freedom and without additional security measures.”
The camp did, however, stress that intensive cleaning measures would still be in place.
This approach contrasts sharply with the strict measures in place throughout the rest of Catalonia. The semi-autonomous region recently made face masks mandatory in all public spaces and imposed a local lockdown on the city on Lleida, affecting 210,000 people. However, Spain has reopened its borders and English holidaymakers are able to travel to the country after the FCO warning was lifted and the 14-day quarantine on return measure suspended.
If successful, this utopia of sorts, which was inspired by similar projects in South Korea, could start a trend. Hotels and holiday accommodation across Europe have been grappling with the new coronavirus guidelines, which often limit capacity, force facilities to shut and ultimately deter some guests. Currently, in England, swimming pools are not allowed to open, which has led to Darlington spa resort Rockliffe Hall reporting that the majority of its guests have cancelled upcoming trips.
