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Magaluf's Punta Ballena Bars Ordered To Close Down Until September

Magaluf's Punta Ballena Bars Ordered To Close Down Until September

The regional government has taken action after tourists were seen misbehaving and flouting coronavirus rules

Tom Wood

Tom Wood

The main partying strip in Magaluf has been order to shut down until September by the Spanish authorities as a result of out of control tourists.

Recent video footage has shown large groups of people openly flouting rules about wearing masks, chanting in the street and even jumping on the top of cars.

Iago Negueruela, who is the Tourism Minister for the Balearic Islands, said that the Punta Ballena area would remain closed as a result of the bad behaviour shown by visitors to the Majorcan party town.

He said the country 'cannot tolerate' the antics of the party-goers.

PA

Angry and saddened Spaniards have shared footage of the crowds roaming the streets singing football chants and waving their arms.

There is a concern among the population that the actions of these tourists could make the sacrifices made by the Spanish people during lockdown irrelevant.

Negueruela said: "I think it's a sufficiently clear message to those practising the type of tourism of excess we don't want here, that they shouldn't come because those types of establishments are not going to be able to open.

"If those holidaymakers go to other areas, and if there are businesses that promote that type of clientele, they will also be closed and they will also be prohibited.

"We will not hesitate a single second when it comes to doing everything we need to, to guarantee the health security of our citizens and our economic reactivation.

PA

"We are a safe destination. The vast majority of our citizens, business leaders and holidaymakers, who are making a great effort, do not deserve the sort of images we have seen over the past few days and they do not deserve those types of holidaymakers and those types of businessmen."

A spokesperson for the Calvia Council, which has spent years attempting to improve the image of Magaluf, said that the order to close the bars had come from higher government.

They said: "It's a difficult and tough measure but one that is necessary because of the potential for putting public health and the economy at risk.

"There are images that have appeared over the past few days, linked to drunken tourism, that put public health and the economy at risk.

PA

"We have spent many years fighting against this type of tourism and this year it has an added component which is protecting public health. The decisions we take today will determine not only what happens this holiday season but next year as well.

"'In Calvia we want tourism of course but we don't want the type of tourist that only comes here to commit excesses, only those holidaymakers who come here to enjoy themselves responsibly and who have a guarantee they will find security here as well."

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: World News, Europe, travel, Spain