Benidorm: Visitors return to beach after months of lockdown

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Britons might be able to jet off to Spain in May should the Spanish and UK Government’s agree to lift entry restrictions in time for travel to restart from May 17. However, Britons who are hoping to visit Benidorm might notice some changes to the region’s popular tourist beaches.

The local council will continue to “zone off” its beaches throughout May, without the usual sunbeds and umbrella service.

The local council has decided to continue its coronavirus protection plan and will parcel off sandy areas measuring 16 square metres for sunbathers to ensure social distancing.

Visitors will be expected to stay within their specific square while sunbathing.

The system may be extended into June and for the rest of the summer but this is dependent on the coronavirus figures, both locally, nationally and internationally.

Benidorm’s beach councillor, Mónica Gómez said: “The subdivision of the sandy areas will be maintained, with spaces of 16 square metres (4×4 metres) to ensure physical distance; a surveillance and rescue service made up of 19 personnel and with a boat and ambulance; as well as an extensive cleaning device at the foot of beaches and coves in morning and afternoon shifts, complementing the usual night service.”

Benidorm council said the decision had been made “taking into account the evolution of the pandemic and current restrictions.”

Monica Gomez said: “The services of our beaches will be modulated according to the demand and use of them, always under the premise of health security, guaranteeing capacity and physical distance and ensuring at the same time the enjoyment of all the users.”

The Benidorm Beach Safety project was introduced in June 2020 after Spain reopened its beaches with restrictions and zones.

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At one stage last August, stewards were dealing with more than 43,500 people.

The council also introduced a booking system which led to complaints about queues at ticket offices.

It has yet to be announced whether this will be introduced this summer or not.

In February, the region’s mayor Toni Perez made the decision to reintroduce the social distancing scheme for 2021.

He said Benidorm would see a return to “an extension to the organisation and operation model that we implemented in June 2020 under the ‘Benidorm Beach Safety’ project, on the basis of guaranteeing capacity, physical distancing and health security, as well as [guaranteeing] the enjoyment of all users.”

Mr Perez added: “The implementation of all these services is one more example that the city as a tourist destination is fully prepared for the enjoyment of beach users while always keeping health security at the core of all actions and strategies that are undertaken by the City Council.”

Many parts of Spain have also made mask-wearing

Speaking on Sky News, Fernando Valdes said: “We are desperate to welcome you this summer!.“And I think we will be ready here in Spain and we also think that the vaccination programme in the UK is going pretty well.“Hopefully we will be seeing this summer the restart of holidays.”Additional reporting by Rita Sobot.

on beaches mandatory, except when with your immediate household or when swimming.

Though Britons have not yet been welcomed back to Spain, the country’s tourism minister has expressed optimism for the future.

Speaking on Sky News, Fernando Valdes said: “We are desperate to welcome you this summer!.

“And I think we will be ready here in Spain and we also think that the vaccination programme in the UK is going pretty well.

“Hopefully we will be seeing this summer the restart of holidays.”

Additional reporting by Rita Sobot.

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