Town Hall & Masks

We hope to have the Town Hall open from tomorrow Monday 1st June from 0800 to 1400 weekdays but with social distancing measures in place. Please respect any guidelines.

Secondly we have taken delivery of 3,005 (enough for one for each citizen) of the more substantial masks which we will be organising delivery of this coming week.

Saddest News

I have just been informed, of the saddest news, that one of our neighbours, a well known and loved local lady died  last night after a short illness. I

Cherry Haydon was an active member of our community, she supported myself and the members of the Neighbourhood Watch Scheme amongst other activities. John gave me permission to make the news public.

No details are known about funeral arrangements yet but given the ongoing situation it may be restricted. I will post when I hear.

Car Taxes

Taxpayers and other interested parties are hereby informed that from June 1 to August 31, 2020, or immediately after business is the new period of the VOLUNTARY COLLECTION of taxes and fees.. This includes car taxes that were delayed due to the crisis.

The system will be updated with individuals bill over the coming week but bear in mind you have plenty of time to pay and no need to rush. 

If you are able you can use the methods shown below rather than obtaining you bill from the Town Hall otherwise call in and obtain the printed copy

Full Government Document re Phase 2

Below is a link too the full government document regarding the move to Phase 2. It is in Spanish but it is a simple matter to copy and paste into a translation site and the document is divided into sections for ease of reference.

Full Phase 2 Spanish Gov Doc

Sorry I have updated the sharing permissions

Lifting of restrictions on Building and reformation work

The Official Boletin today lifts the restrictions on building construction or reformation work where people live from Monday 24th.

The full Boletin is accessible here

https://www.facebook.com/DrivingSpain/photos/a.339498579570834/1444750815712266/?type=3&theater

Large Items of Rubbish

It seems I need to explain once more the rules regarding. the disposal of rubbish at the basuras.

All general household waste should be placed in the basuras. If the Basura is full then it should be taken to the next nearest basura. No general rubbish should be put by side of the Basura.

Large items which cannot go into the Basura eg mattresses, furniture etc are collected twice a month from the Basura by the Consorcio. This is an excellent service compared to the lack of such a facility in the UK BUT it does lead to confusion. Please follow the above rules. Garden waste etc must be taken to a recycling point the nearest being the one in Arboleas.

Please keep our areas tidy and be considerate

Padron Confirmations

Can the below listed persons call into the Town Hall of Zurgena as soon as they are able to confirm they should still be on the Padron. I have tried the numbers we have for them but failed so far.
Vanessa and Michael HURST,
Richard F CHAMBERS
Andrew DOORBAR
Hans MONTEYNE
Peter MOULL
Martine VANSTEENHUYSE
Margaret ANNELIESE
Barbara and John BLACKMORE
Harry and Teresa GREEN
Elaine IRVINE
Deborah PARR
I have left telephone messages for others.
Obviously some may be stranded in the UK in which case they may drop off but iff they call in to the Town Hall when next in Zurgena they can confirm it then.

Zurgena Market

The market is to reopen in Zurgena tomorrow but with stalls greatly reduced as they must be 5 metres apart.

If you attend please stick to the distancing rules and remember that will be a situation where you may not be able to maintain 2 metres distance so masks should be worn.

Anyone got a cheap car

We have an elderly male resident in Zurgena who lost his wife a couple of years ago. He recently had an accident and his car was written off. He lives in a very remote location and has a very small income.
Without a car we have been organising lifts for him to get his shopping etc but he desperately needs a little runaround.
He only has about €1500 to spend and I know its a tall ask but if anyone knows of a cheap car, that would help him out, please let me know.

Update. He has found a car.

Zurgena Market

A number of people were asking if Zurgena Market would be open this Friday unfortunately we have decided to leave it one more week but we hope to have it open next Friday 22nd May.

Another Charitable Donation

Today we have to extend our thanks once again to a charitable organisation for their help at this difficult time.

The photo below shows Eddy Bamford of the Almanzora Lodge and their donation of bags of food for 15 needy families.

The Town Hall. will arrange distribution to those on the list who normally qualify for the Red Cross aid.

Bills Delayed Distancing & Market & Tobacconists Zurgena

I am  constantly being asked by our very conscientious residents about paying their car taxes.

As you know the bills are usually available now for payment before June. However due to the crisis no bills have even been put onto the system. As soon as we have them available I will post on here. It is a similar situation with Basura bills.

So please do not worry no bills are yet on the system this year but will post when available. Probably early June

We have received reports that some bars and cafes were not social distancing yesterday. The Police and the Guardia Civil will be enforcing these rules!!

We are considering whether the public market can go ahead on Friday in Zurgena. When a decision is made I will post.

Regarding the Tobacconists in Bar Suizo in Zurgena I have been asked to let you know it will be open from Monday 18th  (only the tobacconist not the bar) from 0900 until 1400.

Social Services during Lockdown

Unfortunately Social Services are not working in any normal sense of the word during the lockdown. However, if anyone has an urgent need for Social Services they can use the following two methods of communication - Verbally in Spanish but telephoning 649259979
or Email English or Spanish to aaliaslo@dipalme.org.

We Move to Phase 1

As many know we have been permitted, in Almeria Province, to move to phase 1 of the relaxation of the rules. This allows the following;

1. Groups of up to 10 individuals can gather in private homes or outdoors but social distancing must be adhered to.

2. Small businesses can serve customers but with safety measures in place.

3. Pavement cafes, bars and restaurant terraces can open at 50% but again with social distancing measures in place

4. Hotels and tourist accommodation can open but with all communal areas closed.

5. Places of worship can open at up to 30% capacity again with safety measures.

6. Non professional non contact sports are allowed but no use of lockers or communal areas.

7. Outdoor markets may open but stands must be separated and spaced well apart.

8. Cultural events involving fewer than 200 people may be held outdoors.

9. Museum may open at one third capacity.

10. Funeral Services may be held with a limited number of mourners.

Further guidance will be made available by central government and as usual this is only my summation for any more detail refer to the Spanish Governments websites.

This state will remain until further updates possibly in 2 weeks time depending on the data.

Car Occupancy

I have had quite f ew questions about car occupancy and the below is a lift from a reliable source and apply from 11th May.

People will be allowed to travel in a car with other people they live with and without restrictions. Vehicles (with the capacity) will be permitted to be occupied by up to nine people. However, If the occupants of a vehicle do not live together, a limit of one person in each row of seats will apply, and they will have to wear face masks.

RUBBISH AGAIN LOS LLANOS

Sorry to have to bring this up again.

RUBBISH at Los Llanos del Peral.

It was just last week that we had to ask the Consorcio del Levante to attend to the bins at the end of Avenida Poetas in Llanos del Peral as someone had left a large number of items of garden rubbish.

Now today 6 new large black bin liners have been dumped at the bin in such a manner that people cannot even get to the foot pedal which of course makes it unsafe given the pandemic. We will involve the Police and fines will be issued if people do not adhere to the rules. If anyone knows the identity of the person dumping please let me know.

Large items can be placed by the basuras twice a month 11th and 23rd when they will collect them so they can be deposited one day before but this does n to cover all rubbish. The rubbish tip in Arboleas is still open normal weekday hours although the gate is shut but it will be opened when you turn up.

Thanks Again

I need to record the thanks of the Town Hall of Zurgena to Eddy Bamford on behalf of the lodge of Almanzora which meets 5 times a year in Albox for the donation of approx 40 plastic face screens which we shall, distribute to those who most need them in the municipality. 

Relaxation Points

The government has increased the percentage of seating for bar terraces from the original 30% to 50% from 11th May. Bars should be able to identify their numbers from their opening licences. If they have difficulty it may be necessary to obtain guidance from the Town Hall architect. I will discuss with him tomorrow. Customers should be least 2 meters apart.

Update The architect states that eh cannot become involved in advising on this and that it is up to the individual Bar owner to get advice from an independent architect.

There is also a relaxation from 11th May, regarding having more than one person in a private car but I am trying to clarification as to whether that will allow more than one person to shop together. I suspect that may be at the discretion of the shop. Will post when I can clarity.

Update My personal interpretation of how far you can travel is that the original rule stands eg if the supplies you want are local you should shop locally but if your need is for a product not available locally you can travel but not outside of your province eg Almeria and it should be pre ordered. It is a grey area and having read 4 different versions I am still not 100% sure and will try and get a more authoritative statement.

Additionally groups of up to 10 persons can gather together but must adhere to social distancing. This is in private homes or bar terraces. Hygienic measures must also be adhered to.

Also small shops under 400 sq metres may open but these shops must use an appointment basis with shoppers pre booking and be attended by one staff member to one client.Social distancing must be observed and barriers installed between the customer and staff. With sanitisation twice daily and a deep clean at close of business. Toilets in such premises must not be used unless exceptional circumstances.

These relaxations are subject to constant review and could change at any moment and you are always advised to check with the governmental statements.

There are many grey areas and we are trying to get clarity on specific points which I will discuss tomorrow with colleagues. 

Face Masks

As from Monday 4th May face masks are compulsory on all Public Transport in Spain. 

How to wear your mask

This video is well worth viewing as it shows how to maximise the protection using your free masks from the Town Hall.

I found the link on Facebook but am aware not. everyone accesses Facebook.

How to wear your mask

New Exercise Rules and link to another explanation

Starting this weekend, adults in Spain will now be allowed to go outside to walk and exercise. There are set time slots for when people can leave their homes from Saturday 2 May – for towns with over 5,000 residents.

Walks and individual exercise for adults must be taken between 6am-10am or between 8pm-11pm. Two adults will be able to take walks together for one hour. Adults should not walk further than one kilometre away from where they live. All kinds of sports (jogging, cycling, skating) are allowed as long as they are practised individually, but still within a 1km radius of home. Most beaches remain closed in Spain, and therefore water sports are still not permitted.

Adults should maintain social distancing and not make contact with third parties, and the walks and exercise must be within their own municipality of residence. Adults should not drive to another town to then commence a walk.

Those needing assistance or to be accompanied during walks, as well as those aged over 70, should take their walks between 10am and 12 noon or between 7pm-8pm.

Walks with children should now only be taken between 12 noon and 7pm – and still within one kilometre from home. Since Sunday, children had previously been allowed out for an hour’s walk between 9am and 9pm (see below).

In towns with under 5,000 residents, people will be allowed to take walks and exercise between 6am and 11pm. There are around 7,000 towns and villages in Spain with less than 5,000 inhabitants, representing approximately 12% of the population.

THIS INCLUDES US IN ZURGENA!

Last Saturday, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that adults would be able to leave home for individual physical exercise and walks from Saturday 2 May, ‘if the evolution of the pandemic keeps moving in a positive manner’.

Today’s figures (below) released by the Health Ministry confirm that 24,543 people have now died from the pandemic in Spain, up by 268 on yesterday – but it is the lowest daily increase since 20 March.

Since Sunday 26 April, children up to the age of 14 in Spain have been allowed to go our for daily walks and exercise, after 43 days of confinement. They are officially allowed to be out for up to an hour a day, accompanied by an adult, but no further than one kilometre from home. They were originally permitted to take the daily walk at any time between 9am and 9pm, but this has now been changed from between 12 noon and 7pm.

Thanks to Dave Upton for this link. Below link for a more in depth explanation

Relaxation 30th April