Ximo Puig announces relaxation of rules to celebrate fiestas with “maximum security” and “greatest normality” possible

Monday 14th February 2022 – MIKE SMITH
Information Source: Área de Prensa del Portal de la Generalitat Valenciana

The president of the Generalitat Valenciana, Ximo Puig, has announced a relaxation of the rules and recommendations established for the celebration of popular fiestas in the Comunidad Valenciana, which aims to make maximum health and safety compatible with greater normality in development of such events.

The president announced the decision in a press conference in which he was accompanied by the regional secretary for Public Health Isaura Navarro. He laid out the general framework of the rules and recommendations agreed by the Generalitat Valenciana for these popular fiestas.

First and foremost, in accordance with state regulations announced last week, the use of a face mask remains mandatory during events in which it would not be possible to maintain the minimum social distancing during festive events in the Comunidad Valenciana. However, the mask will not be required to worn in orderly acts in which the minimum distance can be maintained and, thus, people participating in parades and offerings will be exempt from its use, although the attending public will be required to wear a mask, with the exception of those under the age of 6 years.

Fiesta venues will assume the specific regulations for bars and restaurants whilst tents and marquees will only be considered as outside spaces if two of their sides are not covered by awnings.

The president explained that these rules and recommendations aim to make it possible for fiestas to be held with the maximum possible health and safety, guaranteeing safe Fallas and Magdalena festivities, for example, with greater normality but also acknowledging that the pandemic is not yet declared over and that everyone must remain prudent.

The president also announced that next week there will an update of the measures contained in the current resolution on public health measures published by the Regional Ministry of Health on October 8th 2021, suggesting that, if the current downward trend in infection spread continues, the aim is to declare a substantial reduction in current restrictions.

Specifically, the president announced that participants in parades – desfiles – (including those of the Moors & Christians), offerings, processions and other acts, such as the firing of the blunderbusses during the Moors & Christians, will not be required to wear face masks but it will be compulsory for the public, except those under the age of 6. In parades – pasacalles – it will be mandatory for both participants and the public (except those under the age of 6) to wear a face mask.

As for festive venues, activities can be carried out with all the necessary health measures applied in relation to the use of the face mask, social distancing and ventilation of the premises. Type C fiesta venues will apply the additional measures established in the regulations that correspond to the activity for which they are authorized. If activities similar to those of bars and restaurants are carried out, current health regulations must be complied with.

Lunch, dinners and other meals will preferably take place outdoors and if a marquee or tent is used, a maximum of two sides can be closed as well as permission to erect such in narrow streets. In any case, the specific hotel and restaurants regulations must be observed at the time of the celebration.

In addition, it has been recommended that each fiesta commission have a dedicated COVID co-ordinator and that activities carried out in outdoor spaces are marked off accordingly.