Bullfighting will soon return to Spain once again, following the government's publication of new rules.
When bullrings do reopen it will be for the first time in around three months, after they were closed when a State of Emergency was declared in March.
Conditions have been put in place for a phased return to life as normal, as the country eases its lockdown following the coronavirus pandemic.
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According to The Mirror, areas of Spain that are already in phase two can fill their bullrings to a third capacity or a maximum of 400 people.
Once regions reach phase three, the capacity limits will rise to 50 percent or 800 spectators.
The publication goes on to outline that any equipment used and anything that is being shared must be completely disinfected afterwards.
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Bullfighting has been non-existent since Spain declared its State of Emergency back on 14 March with people voicing 'grave concerns' for the 'sport'.
Animal rights campaigners were hoping that Covid-19 would would put a stop to bullfighting altogether but the non-profit organisation, Fundación del Toro de Lidia, have been defending its return.
After dozens of events were cancelled, including Pamplona's infamous running of the bulls, bullfighter Cayetano Rivera took to social media, writing: "The bullfighting sector is - and will be - one of the most affected by the dramatic situation that we're living through."
Victorino Martín, a second-generation breeder of fighting bulls told the Guardian that the coronavirus came 'at the worst possible moment'. Yep, same for us all, pal.
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Martín, who heads the Fundación del Toro de Lidia, went on to estimate that the loss of income so far is around €700m (£797m/$999m), adding that some ranchers had already given up.
"There are breeders that have slaughtered all of their animals," he explained. "I know there was a week where more than 400 were killed."
Apparently, the industry has turned to the Spanish government for help, requesting things such as grants to ensure breeders can meet the financial strain. But this has been met with animal rights activists demanding that they are not propped up.
A petition has been set up called 'No bailout for bullfighting' which has over 158,000 signatures. Aïda Gascón from AnimaNaturalis, one of the groups begins the creation of the petition said: "Public funds should not be used to promote and pay for spectacles based on the abuse and mistreatment of animals."
Featured Image Credit: PA