Ibiza’s local government has announced that tourists will be permitted this summer but dancing at nightclubs will be prohibited.
The Balearic Government has introduced strict rules on how Ibiza clubs can operate, as reported in Diario de Ibiza last week. These will be in place throughout 2020, and possibly in place until an effective coronavirus vaccine or treatment becomes available.
According to the paper, certain clubs might be allowed to open if their guests remain seated. However, strict health and safety regulations such as reduced opening hours will be in place.
The announcement comes after months of speculation about Ibiza’s 2020 party season. Ushuaïa and Hï Ibiza are the first major clubs to announce “with a heavy heart” that they will not be opening in 2020. “Now is the time to act responsibly and not to risk anything that we have collectively achieved together in the last months”, they wrote on an Instagram post yesterday.
Diario de Ibiza says that the reopening of nightclubs has been partially resisted due to a concern about its impact on family tourism. Several representatives of the accommodation sector believe that it is important to be selective about which clients to target and which establishments to reopen, as there is a wish to avoid promoting an image of debauchery.
They also reported that the hospitality industry have been proposed a ten-day trial period in which clubs can open at 33% capacity, with dancing prohibited by positioning chairs and tables on slopes. Guests would have to maintain social distancing measures and venues would have to identify everyone who enters the building in case of anyone becoming infected with COVID-19. As well as this, occupational risk companies would assess the risk of each establishment on an individual basis.
Certain party organisers are keen to emphasise that Ibiza is not closed for 2020. Ibiza Club News note that venues with a capacity under 300 will be allowed to open from next week (as stated in Diario de Ibiza), and that many venues are still open, such as Ibiza Rocks (who have announced a series of socially distant pool parties from July 1st), O Beach, Cafe Mambo and Lio, and most of the bars. “We know that some of the prominent promoters on the island have been meeting and plotting,” the article states, “there will be plenty of amazing new concepts for Ibiza this year.”
Diario de Ibiza reported on Thursday that the largest nightclubs remain closed for now, but the situation will be reviewed every 15 days.