Kids Parks

 OPENING OF THE CHILDREN'S PARKS AND BIO-SALUDABLE AREAS.

A small reward;

After spending a week with 0 Covid cases in the municipality, we have considered it appropriate, coinciding with the Easter holidays, to proceed with the opening of the playgrounds and bio-healthy areas of the town.

 We ask that the safety distances be respected, as well as the allowed capacity (60%).

 It is mandatory to respect in the best I way all the Sanitary precautions related to Covid-19, such as the use of hydroalcoholic gels, masks, safety distances.  We appeal to the common sense of all families who go to the parks to try to ensure that children enjoy themselves as they deserve to but with maximum safety and responsibility.

All parks have been disinfected prior to their opening and this will continue to be carried out periodically to maintain the safety of the facilities.

Another Repeat

 Second day running with no active cases of Coronavirus in our municipality. 

Hooray Todays Figures

It has been confirmed that today we now have no active cases in the municipality!

Lets hope we can keep it that way.

Todays Covid Figures

 The report shows 4 more recoveries but does not show the number of new infections or active cases left. I am assuming b cease of the weekend.

So we either have only 3 active cases or none!

Either way things are looking much better.

Palaces Electricity Interruption

I am indebted to a resident of Palaces for this information.

Thought it advisable to post as it was a sign seen in Palaces in Spanish.

   Palaces - Interruption of Power Supply - Monday 22 March

   Endessa appear to be  installing new power cables across the construction of the new autovia for which it will need to interrupt the power supply to Palaces.  Notices have been posted in the village accordingly.  The electricity supply will be affected from 8.00am until 2.00pm on Monday 22nd March.

Todays Figures

 Just to confirm the good news todays figures show 3 recoveries and no new infections so we are down to only 4 active cases. 

Lets keep going.

Good News

 🔔Our municipality, belonging to the Levante- Alto Almanzora Health District has been elevated to LEVEL 2‼ 

We are on the right track! 💪🏼👏🏼

Let us keep it up and continue to comply with the established security measures. 😷🔛🧴🤝

As any changes to restrictions are decided we will inform you.

Result of Weekly Covid assessment (Andalucia) and Todays figures

Andalusians will not be able to leave the provinces where they reside during Easter. This is what the Andalucia Board decided after the expert committee meeting held on Wednesday afternoon. The epidemiological situation, the persistence of the British strain and the slow pace of vaccination have determined the need to keep interprovincial perimeter closure, President Juan Manuel Moreno has explained.

However, the curfew will be extended so that it is now from 2300 to 0600 and the hospitality and shops will be able to open until 22.30, a relaxation that had been demanded by the hospitality sector in recent weeks, and will enter in effect on Friday, March 19 and will last until April 9.

Todays figures same as yesterday no new infections and no recoveries so still 7 active cases.

Todays Figure and Vaccination Progress

 Today is a repeat of yesterday. No new infections no new recoveries so we still have 7 active cases.

This copied from the FB page of the Almeria Covid Group.

Apologies for translation but I was unsure whether to correct it would change the actual meaning so have left it as is.

Next groups to vaccinate as declared by the Ministry of Health (the groups have indicated but not the vaccine with which they are going to be vaccinated or the start date of vaccination). These groups will start their vaccination once they have just vaccinated people over 80 years and will be carried out while vaccination for those over 70 years is commenced:

The following are the prioritized groups:

1. Patients on dialysis.

2. Persons Transplanted or Waiting Listed.

3. People With Down Syndrome Over 40 Years Old.

4. Oncology Patients. Health has opted to start with all those patients with oncohematological diseases and solid tumors who are in chemotherapy treatments. It also emphasizes special vaccination for people with lung cancer, whether they are in chemo or immunotherapy.

Todays Covid Figure

 Repeat of yesterday no new infection but nor further recoveries so we remain at 7 active cases.

Todays Covid Figures

 No new infections but also no new recoveries so we still stay at 7 active cases.

Extra Help re Doctors &. Link to Documentary

 The City Council has incorporated a new service in the municipality's medical offices to manage appointments and medical procedures in cooperation with the Huercal Overa Hospital.

 The established hours of attention to the public is from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

 The phone numbers to call if you need to request an appointment or any other medical procedure are the following:

 Zurgena Office (Tuesday and Thursday):

 950 639503

 La Alfoquía Clinic (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) 950 639543.

 We remind you that the “Salud responds” application and the “ClicSalud +” website are also available for all to request an appointment in both offices.

A friend sent me this link which you may find interesting 

In 1962 this short documentary (9 ') was filmed, which collects images of daily life in Albox, Mojácar, Níjar, Sorbas, Tabernas, the Andarax region, La Chanca de Almería ... That lost world seems incredibly distant to us. Despite the fact that only sixty years separate us: the work of the grape, the collection of water from the sources by women, the fishing, the markets, the scorched fields of Níjar, the landscape of Chanca or Mojácar ... A whole document Anthropological directed by José Luis Font and promoted by the Ministry of Information and Tourism.

Documentary of area 1962

Covid Meeting Result and Todays Figure

Today we have 7 active cases- 

Below details for the weekly meeting of the Covid Assessment group for Andalucia below, 

The territorial committee has valued all municipalities according to the updated rate of incidence as of today. The measures will be in effect for 7 days, following their release in BOJA from 00.00 p.m. on Friday, March 12

Here's how the situation in the province is:

-- > Municipalities with less than 500 cases per 100.000 inhabitants: (No perimeter closure):

Abla, Abrucena, Adra, Albanchez, Alboloduy, Albox, Alcolea, Alcontar, Alcudia de Monteagud, Alhabia, Alhama de Almería, Almarket, Almócita, Alsodux, Arboleas, Armuña de Almanzora, Bacares, Balanegra, Bayarcal, Bayarque, Bédar , Beires, Benihadux, Benitaglia, Benizalón, Bentarique, Berja, Redeem, Cantoria, Carboneras, Castro de Filabres, Chercos, Chirivel, Cóbdar, Cuevas del Almanzora, Daliah, El Ejido, Enix, Felix, Fines, Fiñana, Fondón, Gádor, Garrucha, Huécija, Almeria Huécal, Huécal Overa, Illar, La Mojonera, Laroya, La újar de Andarax, Gallardos, Lubrín, Lucainena de las Torres, L úcarcar, Macael, Mojácar, Birth, Mary, Níjar, Ohanes, Olula de Castro, Olula del Rio, Oria, Partaloa, River Paterna, Pechina, Purchena, Ragol, Rioja, Roquettes de Marchena, Santa Fe de Mond újar, Senés, Seron, Sierro, Somontin, Sorbas, Sufli, Tabernas, Taberno, Tahal, Terque, Tíjola, Three Villas, Turre, Turrilas, Uleila del Campo, Urrácal, Velefique, Velez Blanco, Velez Rubio, Vera, Viator, Vicar and Zurgena.

-- > Municipalities between 500 and 1.000 cases per 100.000 inhabitants (perimeter closure)

Antas, Gergal, Lijar, Padules and Pulpí

-- > Municipalities with more than 1.000 cases per inhabitants (perimeter closure and closure of non-essential activity)

Instinction

Levels:

The Territorial Committee on High Impact Public Health Alerts has proposed at this meeting to keep Alert Level 3 Grade 1 to the Almeria Sanitary District (except the municipality of Instinction which is at Level 4 Grades 2) and Northern Almeria Health Management Area. He has also proposed declaring the Poniente Sanitary District on Alert Level 3 Grade 1.

The thresholds that mark the levels are published and take into account 6 indicators: AI to 14 days, AI to over 60 years, PDIA tests, traceability percentages, ICU bed indices and hospitalization index. It's the six parameters applied by all CCAA.

High Impact Public Health Alerts Territorial Committees keep track of the epidemiological situation in their provinces and report on the need to maintain or modulate alert levels and their degrees according to health risk and proportionality of measures. They meet every Thursday to assess the situation of municipalities.

Lost Dog

 This dog has been lost by its Spanish owner who is desperately hoping to find it. If anyone sees it please let me, Jose Manuel, the owner or the Local Police know.

Todays Covid Figure

 Today we have one new infection and no recoveries so our total is 11 active cases.

Todays Covid Figures. and Meeting regarding post Brexit

 Today the figures for Zurgena show 1 recovery, but 1 new infection, so the total remains at 10.

There is to be a meeting held in Huercal Overa on Thursday 11th from 0930 at the Theatre in Huercal Overa. Due to Covid the advise is by appointment (link below). I do not know the company behind it but they do say their services are free, so if you are struggling and would like some advice, it may be worth making an appointment. Obviously many people have gone through this process without any problems but thought  would post this for anyone who was struggling. I do not recommend any company this is merely for information.

Huercal Overa Meet

Todays Covid Figure

 No recoveries but no new infections so figure today for Zurgena stands at 10 active cases.

Yellow Alert for Rain

The State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) has decreed the yellow warning for rain for the regions of Levante Almeriense, Valle del Almanzora, Los Vélez, Campo de Tabernas and Nacimiento

 As the Aemet has warned, the yellow alert will begin today Monday from 9pm and will continue until noon on Tuesday.

 Exercise extreme precaution.

Vaccination Info

 All we have discovered, regarding the roll out of the vaccine, is that all persons, legally resident in Spain, with NIE etc will be called for their vaccination and they are being called in age order. 

They are still inoculating the over 80s but will then start on the next age group which we think is 65 to 80. Each person will be contacted by telephone where they can be but we also understand there will be a catch up exercise to ensure everyone is included. 

Sorry I cannot provide any more information but that is all we have been able to ascertain.

Autovia Works through Palaces

The Al-7106 road as it passes through Palacés is now open to all road traffic.

Sorry for the inconvenience.

Todays Covid Figure

Todays figures show 3 new infections making a total of 10 active cases. Be careful out there.

Clarification regarding Experts meeting outcome. UPDATE!

 The Junta confirms the new alert levels of the municipalities of Almería

This is what we have been told regarding businesses as at the moment

The hotel business in general may open until 6 in the afternoon. Orders can be collected until 9:30 p.m. They can be ordered by phone until 10:30 p.m. to be delivered to your home until 11:30 p.m. Hospitality without music: 50% capacity indoors and 100% in open spaces (outdoor terraces). Hospitality with music and specials with music: Capacity of 50% indoors and premises and 75% in open spaces (outdoor terraces) (exclusive drinks must close). Bar consumption prohibited. Tables or groups maximum 6 people. Distance 1.5 m between chairs, different tables or groups. No closing hours apply to those with a special regime (3). Outdoor football still prohibited.

Shops must continue to close at 6:00 p.m. for at least one more week

The territorial delegate of Health and Families of the Board in Almería, Juan de la Cruz Belmonte, has indicated that he hopes that "next week" the province may have some of its health districts on alert level 2, which would allow to extend the hours commercial and restaurant services until 9.30 pm as is planned in other areas of Andalusia where the evolution of the pandemic has reduced the level of incidence and hospital pressure, among other factors.

According to the data they handle from the Health Delegation, the Levante-Norte and Almería districts that are currently at alert level 4 will go to level 3, while the Poniente area will remain at level 4 for at least one more week before the accumulation of cases, so that, according to the new restrictions, no changes are expected in the province beyond the increase in meetings in the domestic sphere and in the open-air catering of four to six people.

Thus, hoteliers and merchants will have to wait for the level of alert to drop to level 2 to be able to extend their business hours later than 6:00 p.m. "Those alert levels may or may not change depending on the epidemiological situation," the Health delegate recalled.

Financial Advice from a Reader

Received the below information from a reader

Think this might be something helpful to expats?  It came to us via an open email from our Financial Advisors, at the foot of which invites us to "share with friends".  (So no worry about posting email link). Here is the basic message followed by the link:  

Long-term residents of Spain will be familiar with Modelo 720 (Form 720), but newer residents may be unclear on what they have to do. The penalties are prohibitive, so you need to get it right. The deadline, as every year, is 31 March.

If you were tax resident in Spain in 2020, you are legally obliged to submit a Modelo 720 declaring the assets you own outside Spain worth over €50,000. This is not a tax return as such; you need to complete it over and above your income and wealth tax returns.

Tax Advice    

 (then click on 'Read More' under feature:Modelo 720 - what you need to do )

Bottom line is, if in doubt, consult your own Finance/Tax Advisor(s)

Latest Guidance from Junta

The latest decision by the expert committee as below;

 After the meeting of the expert committee, it has been decided to maintain the following restrictions at a general level:

- Perimeter closure of the autonomous community.

- Perimeter closure of the provinces.

- Perimeter closure of municipalities with more than 500 cases / 100,000 inhabitants.

- Closure of non-essential activity in municipalities with more than 1,000 cases / 100,000 inhabitants.

- Curfew from 22 to 6 hours.

What's more:

- Meetings go from 4 to 6 people, except inside the hotel business.

- In municipalities with level 2 or less, the schedule is extended until 9:30 p.m. for all activities, both essential and non-essential.

The levels are reviewed every week, so cities in level 3 will be able to pass the next one to level 2 or vice versa, depending on how the incidence evolves. Decisions on which zones are at level 2, 3 or 4 will be made tomorrow by the provincial alert committees.

Vaccination Data

 I am really struggling to ascertain what database is being used for the vaccination roll out. Is it the Padron? Is it the Health system? Is it the Residcencia database? I cannot seem to get an answer.

I understand that in the past 2 weeks calls were made for people to attend at Huercal Over who were over 80 and people just attended. 

I have Jose Manuel making further enquiries to try and find out exactly how the system is working so that people can have an idea who ort how they will be contacted.

Poster Competition for International Women's Day

 On the occasion of "International Women's Day 2021", we propose this activity.

𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐂𝐔𝐑𝐒𝐎 𝐅𝐎𝐓𝐎 - 𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐋

Do you dare to take part?  It's very simple !!

 How to participate?

Send a photo that includes a title, it must contain a message working on the prevention or eradication of violence, or gender equality.

 Where to send the poster?

You must send your posters to this phone  635492527 with the title

"Zurgena poster contest"

 Maximum period to participate:

Until March 7 

 Once we receive all the posters, we will publish them on the Facebook of the Zurgena City Council and the images with the most ¨Likes¨ will be the winners.

Until March 11  at 12:00 hours.

 Awards:

1st Prize:voucher worth 50 euros .

2nd Prize: voucher worth 20 euros.

3rd Prize: voucher of 15 euros.

Redeemable at shops in the Municipality.

Go ahead and take part !!!

Todays Covid Figures

 Today (covering the last 3 days) shows 2 new infections taking our active total of cases to 7.