SUNSHINE NEWS Hyperlocal News & Information for Orihuela Costa, Torrevieja & Ciudad Quesada areas Issue No 41 |20th March 2020| Every Friday | NewsDesk : newsdesk@sunshinenews.es | Website sunshinenews.es
LOCKDOWN
HEROES APPLAUDED
Sunshine During Lockdown Throughout the current situation, Sunshine Media Group will remain a source of information for our listeners and readers. Our radio station - Sunshine FM - will continue with our daily programmes bringing you the latest information and local news updates. Sunshine FM is operating an alternative schedule as follows:
What started as an anonymous campaign on social media has received a massive response from residents all over Spain. It started first on the other side of the Mediterranean in Italy, which has been in quarantine slightly longer but Spain was quick to follow suit and willing to show their appreciation. Last Saturday at 10 o'clock, universal applause was heard throughout the unusually quiets streets in nearly every town and village, which commended and thanked those amongst the population that are having to work through this situation and
putting themselves and possibly their own families at risk. The standing ovation echoed out from balconies and windows, from those citizens in lockdown and aimed towards all those health workers, law enforcement officers, supermarket and gas station workers, civil protection volunteers and numerous other anonymous heroes out there for their dedication and bravery. The initiative proved to be so popular that it was decided to continue with this new tradition every night whilst the quarantine is in force. Although, the time was altered slightly earlier to 8 o'clock
in the evening so children can also join in with the communal clapping. Its a small gesture for those people unable to leave their homes but as more join in each night, the applause rises through the air in the hope that those putting themselves risk can hear their appreciation. Remember they put their lives at risk so you don't have to, all you have to do is just stay at home and get your whole family to applaud them every night at 8 pm.
•
8 am - 12 pm: Sunshine FM Breakfast with Simon Morton
•
12 pm - 4 pm: Afternoons with Keeley Paige
•
4 pm - 8 pm: Sunset on Sunshine with Dan Davy
Our presenters will keep you informed of the latest situation and relay any important news for residents of our area. If you have any questions, you can send them into Sunshine FM and we will do our best to find you an answer. Sunshine News will continue to publish an online version until we can get back into print. We would like to take this opportunity to thank both Sunshine FM & Sunshine News advertisers, as without them we would not be able to provide the service to our listeners and readers.
Another increasing trend, more for the
Continued on page 3
Visit the Sunshine News website for the latest news, information & what’s on guide
sunshinenews.es
Coronavirus Helpline
+34 900 300 555
If you have symptons of CoronaVirus, call the helpline first
2
News
Sunshine News • Friday 20th March 2020
HOW TO AVOID CATCHING AND SPREADING CORONAVIRUS (SOCIAL DISTANCING)
Everyone should do what they can to stop coronavirus from spreading. It is particularly important for people who: •
are 70 or over
•
have a long-term condition
•
are pregnant
•
have a weakened immune system
Do
Don’t 88 Leave your house unless absolutely necessary
99 Wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
88 Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean
99 Always wash your hands when you get home or into work
Microscopic view of coronavirus
How coronavirus is spread
99 Use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available 99 Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
Because it's a new illness, we do not know exactly how coronavirus spreads from person to person.
99 Put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards
Similar viruses are spread in cough droplets.
99 Avoid close contact with people who have symptoms of coronavirus
It's very unlikely it can be spread through things like packages or food.
99 Work from home, if you can
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88 Do not have visitors to your home, including friends and family
OPENING HOURS
Mon-Fri: 10am - 7pm Saturday: 10am-2pm Sunday: Zoco Market
Rules to Remember The Spanish Government announced a state of emergency on the 12th of March 2020 and has since modified and updated the official act on the 17th of March. The decree calls for complete social isolation to curb the spread of the Corona Virus known officially as COVID-19. Everybody must stay in their own homes for the following 15 days, only being allowed to leave under certain exceptions. As it currently stands, those circumstances are as follows: "1. During the duration of the state of alarm, people may only circulate along the roads or public spaces to carry out the following activities, which must be carried out individually, unless accompanied by persons with disabilities, minors, the elderly, or for another just cause: a) Acquisition of food, pharmaceuticals and basic necessities. b) Assistance to health centres, services and establishments.
c) Travel to the workplace to carry out their labour, professional or business provision when unable to carry out duties from home. d) Return to the place of habitual residence. e) Assistance and care for the elderly, minors, dependents, people with disabilities or especially vulnerable people. f) Displacement to financial and insurance entities. g) Due to force majeure or need. h) Any other activity of a similar essential nature 2. Likewise, the circulation of private vehicles will be allowed along the roads for public use to carry out the activities referred to in the previous section or to refuel at gas stations or service stations " Fines can and will be issued to those that disobey the current state of emergency.
News
Sunshine News • Friday 20th March 2020
SYMPTONS OF COVID-19
COVID-19 is a new illness that can affect your lungs and airways. It's caused by a virus called coronavirus. Symptoms of COVID-19: •
a high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
•
a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)
Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. Use the coronavirus helpline service to find out what to do.
Coronavirus Helpline
900 300 555 If you have symptons of CoronaVirus, call the helpline.
PLEASE THINK BEFORE YOU PANIC BUY Supermarkets in our area have been experiencing shoppers stockpiling goods. The people most at risk from Coronavirus are the elderly, the ill and the vulnerable.
The same people likely to be least able to go beyond their weekly shopping budget to stockpile goods. As a community, we can make sure that the elderly, ill and vulnerable people in our areas can find what they still need on the shelves, when they come to do their weekly shop?
Whilst every care is taken in this publication to ensure accuracy and correctness neither the publisher nor it’s members of staff can be held responsible for any errors contained within this publication. Advertisments are carried in good faith and no responsibility is accepted by the publisher for errors or ommission within an advertisment not created by us. For distribution or sales enquires call +34 645 11 88 22 or email sales@sunshinenews.es
Heroes Applauded
3 Continued from page 1
youngsters, are the artworks that can be seen popping up in the windows of houses and apartments all over. Drawings and DIY crafts, especially of rainbows that include positive and encouraging messages, are proudly displayed with the hope that they help brighten up these dark times.
#DesdeMiVentana (from my window) and thousands of kids have been taking part.
They can be seen by the workers out on the front lines and also by other children that might feel scared during these scary times so they know they are not alone. This time the initiative started on Twitter under the hashtag
If you have a budding artist at home, why not send in their artwork to Sunshine News and we will put their pictures in next weeks edition. Send them by email to DesdeMiVentana@sunshinenes.es
So if you have kids at home, let them get creative and show their support. It will help to keep them busy, even if just for a short while.
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EVERY CLOUD... There is no question that the world is currently experiencing an unprecedented situation and due to this unique health scare, extraordinary measures are being taken to protect the population. Through
these
hard
times,
however, Greenpeace has managed to find a small silver lining. There have been reports coming from both China and Italy, two of the first countries to call for a state of lockdown, that there have been improvements to the levels of pollution in these areas. In
China,
there
are
claims
that the CO2 levels have been reduced by approximately 25% because of the restrictions put on transportation and industries caused by social lockdown. This has also been confirmed by the European Space Agency when they released a few days ago
satellite images of northern Italy which clearly shows a significant difference of pollution levels of nitrogen dioxide, a common greenhouse gas, between January and March 2020. In turn, Spain is now the latest country to notice some positive effects on the environment. According to a recent study
Internet Straining To Keep Up With Demand by Greenpeace, both Madrid and Barcelona have noticed an important reduction in the levels of contamination. One of the most noticeable is the levels of nitrogen dioxide, which is generally related to traffic pollution and the use of fossil fuels for generating electricity, have fallen to "historical lows" in just a few days since the quarantine period has been implemented. Whilst the country endures the minimum two-week lockdown, this trend will likely continue and the environment will proceed to reap the benefits from the reduction of human activity. However, it is unclear if this will be a permanent improvement after the Corona Virus outbreak is eventually over. Businesses and industries will look to get back to their usual activities and the country will again move around freely putting millions of cars back on the road again.... The question will be if humans will learn to be more conscious of the environment in the future having experienced the positive environmental impacts in such a short space of time.
With countries around the world advising their citizens to stay indoors, the internet is straining to keep up with the demand. Millions of people are logging on to internet services like Netflix, which is increasing the amount of data flowing over the network. Because of this, Netflix has announced it will be temporarily reducing the streaming quality of its video, which in turn reduces the amount of data being sent over the internet. Earlier this week Microsoft's Xbox Live online gaming service was struggling to cope with demand. Some users were unable to sign in to play their games. Facebook
and Facebook-owned WhatsApp are currently seeing usage in excess of what they would expect to see on New Year's Eve, which is traditionally the busiest day of the year for the social networks. It is not only recreational usage that has caused issues, but people working from home have also experienced problems trying to log in to services such as Microsoft Teams (a communications app for colleagues). Mobile phone networks in some contries (including the UK) have also suffered outages for some people as demand increases.
6
Finance
TIME TO PANIC?
Sunshine News • Friday 20th March 2020
By Tracy Storer, Senior Partner, Chorus Financial Shares around the world had their worst day since the financial crisis with the dramatic falls leading to the day being dubbed “Black Monday”. The main financial indexes in the US closed down by more than 7%, while London’s index of top shares ended the day nearly 8% lower. Similar drops took place across Europe and Asia as a row between Russia and Saudi Arabia saw oil prices plunge. This comes as shares were already reeling from fears of the impact of coronavirus. Monday’s dramatic drops were triggered by a row between Saudi Arabia and Russia over oil output. Saudi Arabia said it would slash prices and pump more oil, sparking fears of a price war. All this comes days before the UK announces its annual budget on Wednesday and I hope to see some reassuring measures to help both businesses and individuals weather this current storm. If you are an investor or have a
private pension my advice is to expect short-term volatility to continue. Don’t overreact. Instead, ensure you’re making investment decisions that are aligned to what you’re investing to achieve, not the headlines. If your long-term goals haven’t changed substantially, neither should your investment strategy. There’s no foolproof method for pinpointing market tops and bottoms, but history and experience show us that the wider trend in the economy, profits and interest rates are pretty good guides. The chart within my article looks at historical market crashes, and there is one, clear common trend. Recovery, and subsequent growth. So whilst I don’t think the recent market volatility will subside quickly, I do believe that global economic activity will recover as the year progresses and the virus is eventually contained. If you have any concerns about your investments or pensions you can call me on 693 107 044 or email t.storer@ chorusfinancial.es
Sunshine News • Friday 13th March 2020
Technology
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Sunshine News • Friday 20th March 2020
Animal Welfare
Sunshine News • Friday 20th March 2020
9
KEEP PETS SAFE & HAPPY The World Health Organisation last week issued updated information that stated: "at present, there is no evidence that companion animals/pets such as dogs or cats can be infected with the new coronavirus".
WASH YOUR HANDS
Several other global health organisations have also issued advisories saying that there is no evidence that pet animals can either spread coronavirus or be infected with it in the same way as humans.
If you become sick (for any reason not just coronavirus) then the advice is to restrict contact with your pet just as it is with humans.
The main advice is to wash your hands before and after having any contact with your pet. This will ensure your health and that of your pet.
Make sure you have a good stock of food & treats
room or house, or even outside in the (fenced) garden.
With grocery stores and supermarkets quickly selling out of household essentials, do not forget to check on your pets food supply.
Bones and chew treats can keep a dog occupied for a few hours. You may have more playtime with your pooch now, so you could play fetch around the garden.
Keep your pets entertained For bored dogs, why not consider a DIY treasure hunt? Hide treats around the
"Therefore, there is no justification in taking measures against companion animals which may compromise their welfare,” the World Organisation for Animal Health has said.
For your feline friend - why not create a kind of adventure playground for them from your empty boxes?
You should still take precautions It remains unclear if pets can carry the virus on their fur in the same way that it can survive on hard surfaces. Because there is still a lot to be learned about this new virus, coming down on the side of caution is not a bad idea.
You could make them a DIY puzzle game by dropping their favourite cat treat into a container that they cannot fit their head in, and watch them work out how to retrieve it. Cats also love chasing a torch or pointer around the room.
Working together Edu
for your pets perfect stay at Finca la Castellana boarding kennels
Pe do’s ts r a Eduardo’s Pets Veterinary Clinic Eduardo, Jose & the team 966 764 109
Tidy Paws Grooming Parlour
Join our Finca Friends for all your pet’s needs www.fincalacastellana.org CV-01-051201-A
Pets During Lock Down Many animal lovers have been worried by the current state of affairs and are unsure of what they can and can't do to comply with the regulations set by the Spanish Government. How are people supposed to correctly care for and exercise their beloved pets when they are not allowed to leave their homes? Here are the guidelines you should follow to avoid getting into trouble with the authorities. •
Pets may be taken outside for necessities but only for very short walks local to your residence.
•
Only one person is allowed to be outside, no walking pets in couples or families.
•
Avoid all contact with other animals and people .
•
Take a water bottle with detergent to clean up any urine and plastic bags to pick up any excrement.
Finca la Castellana
•
Avoid going out during peak times
Animal Welfare Centre Boarding Kennels
•
Wash your hands when you return home and its recommended to wipe dog paws and tails before they enter.
astellan C a l a
Ti
Finc a
Anna 619 277 654
Paws y d
If you don't have a ball you could use a pair of rolled-up socks (that you don't mind losing). Some dogs also love a good game of tug-o-war for which you could use an old towel or cloth if you don't already have a rope-pull toy.
Janette 610 451 133 www.facebook.com/ fincalacastellanaanimalwel fare/
•
In case of emergency, it is permitted to visit the vet, but its
recommended to call up first to confirm availability. Some dog owners have been asked to hand over documentation for their pets to prove ownership and that the animal is fully vaccinated, so it might be a good idea to have that to hand in case it is needed. And remember, you can only walk real living dogs, as a Spanish man found out when he was heavily fined for taking a stuffed toy dog for a walk earlier this week! It can be a stressful experience for pets to be locked indoors for so long and unable to release all their builtup energy, but by following these guidelines you will ensure the safety of you and your pets. So remember no going out in cars with your animals, no hour-long walks or walking far away from your home and ensure a good level of hygiene when caring for your pet.
Food & Drink
10
Sunshine News • Friday 20th March 2020
Ta s t y & r e s o u rc e f u l Feeling like you want to be resourceful? Then why not check out those cupboards and bring together a few of those items, you may have forgotten about and create some tasty delights and old-time favourites.
Scones Ingredients • 2 1/2 cups selfraising flour • 1 tsp baking powder • Salt • 1 tbsp sugar • 40g cubed cold
butter • 1 cup milk • (Optional extras, sultanas, dried cranberries, nuts or cheese)
Bubble & Squeak
Method
mixture and add the milk.
Pop the oven on at 220 degrees celsius and lightly butter a baking tray.
Using a knife cut in the milk, until the dough comes together in a ball.
In a bowl, sift the flour, baking powder and salt all together.
Flour your hands and a board, now pop the dough onto the board and pat down until about 3 cm thick. Now cut the dough with a cutter around 5 cm and place the scones onto the prepared baking tray.
Now add the butter cubes and rub the flour and butter together until you get a breadcrumb consistency. Make sure your hands are cold and dry. Then add the sugar and gently work through the mixture. Next, make a well in the centre of the
Brush the tops of the scones with milk and place in the top half of the oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until they are golden and risen.
Pasta With Roasted Cherries & Garlicky Salsa
Ingredients • 2 handfuls cherry tomatoes • 1 tbsp olive oil • 1¼ tsp fine sea salt, divided • 8 oz brown pasta or whole wheat pasta • 1 cup plain Greek yoghurt
• 1 grated, clove garlic • ⅛ tsp black pepper • fresh oregano leaves
Method Heat oven to 325°F. Add tomatoes, oil, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt in a bowl and coat tomatoes, now pop them on a baking tray and roast in the oven until they burst. Now bring a large pan of salted water to the boil, add the pasta, cook and drain pasta, save a 1/3 cup cooking water. Mix the yoghurt, garlic, pepper, reserved cooking water, and salt in a bowl until smooth. Next, add pasta and roasted tomatoes and gently mix. Spoon into bowls garnish with oregano and serve.
Ingredients • ½ sliced, medium cabbage • 3 slices diced bacon • 1 thinly sliced onion • 1 cup cooked ham, cubed • 1 tbsp butter • 3 cups thinly sliced cooked potatoes Method
• ½ tsp paprika • salt and pepper
Grab a saucepan and fill with a small amount of water, and pop in the cabbage. Cook for about 5 minutes then drain. In a well-seasoned pan, cook the bacon and onion until cooked. Now add the ham, and cook through. Next, add the butter and mix in the cabbage and potatoes. Season with paprika, salt and pepper and cook for a furthers few minutes until brown on both sides.
Hearty Veg Soup Ingredients • 1 med chopped onion • 2 celery stalks, chopped • 2 tablespoons of olive oil • 1 cubed sweet potato • 1 sliced carrot • 4 cups veg broth • 4 minced garlic cloves • ½ teaspoon of salt, pepper, oregano, thyme, rosemary • ¼ teaspoon of red pepper flakes • 1 bay leaf • 2 cups fresh cubed tomatoes • 1 can rinsed kidney beans Method
• 1 cup of frozen corn and peas • ¼ cup dry lentils • 2 oz cut spinach • 4 cups water • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
In a large pan add onion, celery, and olive oil over medium heat, now cover and allow to sweat for 15-20 minutes, stir every now and then. Next add sweet potato, carrot, vegetable broth, garlic, and seasonings. Simmer and cook for 15-20 minutes. Now add beans, corn, peas, lentils, spinach and water and a touch of salt if necessary. Simmer for another 15-20 minutes. Remove from heat, and pop in the vinegar. Serve with crusty bread.
Sunshine News • Friday 20th March 2020
Health & Wellbeing
11
! G N I V O M N KEEP O Well, what a week it has been. With the outbreak of the Corona Virus here in Spain and the lockdown, everything has changed. Our lives as we know them, have taken on a new meaning and I am sure that as the week goes on, we will experience even more changes.
Not being able to go out, means we have limited space to exercise, a fundamental action to living and vital to our health, mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. Exercise increases our bodies function, it helps restore, repair and revitalize. As we move, our brains release endorphins which block pain receptors and increase our feelings of happiness. So yes folks, we need to move, especially in these times when it would be so easy to go into being lazy, couch potatoes. We can use this time, to increase our physical strength and health, even in our confined spaces. The greatest danger I believe we are in now is to sit around and live
in our heads. Especially in times of uncertainty, which can encourage us to become fearful. What will happen? How long will this go on for? Yes, the brain can be a wonderful place to create new things and our dreams, but it can also be a place of destruction as negativity creeps in and we start to believe our thoughts. Which are, after all, are just that... thoughts. So, if we begin to focus on movement, exercise and being aware of our feelings we can start to live more in our bodies and less in our heads, which means we will reduce our stress and tendency to overthink. Overthinking is one of the key components of anxiety, so you can see the real importance of getting out of our heads and into our bodies. On a daily basis, we should be planning some form of exercise, ideally a couple of times a day. Mixing the exercise up is important too, so we don’t get bored and more likely to give up. Youtube is fabulous for free training videos and offers a variety. Yoga and Pilates combine breathing in with their movement and so take us further out of our monkey minds and further into our body, so even if you haven’t tried either before, give them a go. Any exercise where you move
your arms and legs at the same time is said to activate more endorphins, so even if it’s only marching around the garden right now, or going up and down the stairs, know you will be intentionally creating a good feeling within yourself. There are so many things we can do actively within the house, I personally love to dance and always have a session during the day where I throw myself around in the living room, reliving memories of my youth and waking up my body. Singing raises your vibe and keeps that good energy flowing. Cleaning is a necessity and now is a great time to tidy out those cupboards and wardrobes. Decluttering your house also helps to de-clutter your mind, creating more space and relaxation. And how about cleaning those windows, done with gusto cleaning can be a great workout. Pa i n t i ng, especially ceilings, is a great cardio exercise as you r a i s e your
arms over your head, the heart has to work harder to pump the blood up. So, why not freshen up the house with a lick of paint and a new look. With a brighter environment, you are sure to feel more positive and uplifted. When you are feeling low, deflated or even a little depressed you can soon bring yourself into a more present state by simply washing your face in cold water, this action stimulates the vagal nerve which again activates your parasympathetic nervous system, calming, soothing and relaxing your body and mind. You can progress from washing your face in cold water to ending your daily shower with 20 to 30 seconds of cold water, to wash away those blues and get you out of negative thoughts and feelings. Feeling good is something we can do for ourselves folks, I urge you to become aware of how much you move and increase it. We can do this!!
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Health & Wellbeing
Sunshine News • Friday 20th March 2020
IN TIMES OF CHANGE After a week of isolation, I hope that everyone is coping okay and is managing to keep their spirits up. In such times as most of us have never experienced before, we find ourselves having to live in a different way. We may be discovering more about ourselves and it doesn’t all have to be negative. We may discover in quiet moments, the true value of connection to others, to socializing and keeping in contact with those we love and care about. We may reflect on the real value of life, what we have to be grateful for, the simple things like having a roof over our heads, food on the table and hot water. The things we take most for granted, but for some are not so readily available.
but I think we are finally coming to the awareness that we must be aware based on our experiences, that when we believe what we are told, fear and anxiety grow. We must learn to trust in ourselves again, in our intuition. This world has been separated for too
on what it is you really want to do with your life. To study ways in which you can improve your quality of life like being grateful and kind. Look at how you currently act and ask yourself ‘Am I getting the results I want in life?’ and ‘Do I need to change anything?’
Making our own choices isn’t something that has been easy, in a world that manipulates us through the media,
working life, maybe we want more freedom, less monthly payments and to learn something new and have a change of career. If so, we can really start now, we can use this time to explore our interests and write down what it is we truly want to achieve. Living a life of service, helping others is something that gives us a high reward and also makes us feel purposeful and of having a life worth living. Regardless of the type of work, every job has its value if done from the heart. I guess that is what I am asking you to look at today and in these times. How can you be a better person, how can you be kinder to others, love yourself more, embrace change, acknowledge that the life we lived before may not have been the best? All experiences have the ability to change us, if we accept there is a lesson in everything, all we have to do is embrace them.
I for one know that I have to be at my most resourceful now, I must draw on my wisdom, my awareness and my knowledge of what we need to sustain ourselves, to get through difficulties where we are tested to the max. I also know that the world we know will change from these times and not before time. We will hopefully acknowledge that happiness is in simplicity, it’s in being with each other, supporting each other and caring for others. It is not in segregation. It is knowing our neighbours, that regardless of race, religion, disability, sexual orientation and social status, that we are all the same, with the same needs. We need to be loved, to be healthy, to be safe and to have the freedom to be ourselves.
by Nicola Farnhill Connected to Self
long, divided by greed and a lack of care for life. It’s time for a change and hopefully, as the destructive structures that are currently in place come crashing down, people will start to make the necessary changes.
‘Am I stuck in ways of behaving that are not effective and conducive to a happy and positive life?’
In the midst of it all, I urge you to make a plan for each day, to care for yourself mentally, emotionally, spiritually and physically. Get some balance in your lives, by eating healthy, exercising, studying, meditating and practising yoga, writing a journal and reflecting
It is never too late to let go of resentments, to welcome more peace into your life.
‘Am I struggling to forgive people and so living in a state of anger?’
For many of us, work and finances will have changed due to the lockdown and with this, we can also spend time looking at how we are spending our
If you are struggling with this time, you are not alone, I urge you to reach out and ask for help, to give people the opportunity to help, to stay connected as best you can and to plan for a better, happier future. I am currently working via phone and skype, so if anyone would like coaching or counselling, please contact me on 634316839 or email connectedtoself@ outlook
Wishing you all much love Nicola xx
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News
Sunshine News • Friday 20th March 2020
13
FOREIGNERS GET FINED The latest figures have been released on fines that have been issued this past week in Torrevieja and Orihuela, two of the largest and most populated towns in the Vega Baja region. Over one hundred sanctions have been handed out so far by the local authorities to people not taking the quarantine seriously or who are not complying with the current regulations set out by the Spanish government and which apply to the whole of Spain. The local police forces have been instructed to enforce the quarantine and have become very strict with those that do not obey the rules. Although the vast majority of citizens have been complying, there have been numerous cases of ignorance and complacency. Reports conclude that the majority of fines have been issued to foreign residents that have been out driving with more than one person in the vehicle and without being able to correctly justify their journey. There are a few permitted exceptions for leaving home
Hostels For The Homeless On Monday of this week, Torrevieja Town Hall and Cruz Roja (Red Cross) started taking action to relocate several people that are living on the streets of Torrevieja. Volunteers have been visiting those less fortunate to urge them to stay in temporary accommodation during this current state of emergency, as it is prohibited to be out on the streets except for certain special circumstances.
during this lockdown, which amongst others include going to work, essential shopping trips, going to the pharmacy, doctors or hospital, so those caught breaking quarantined are being heavily fined to discourage this behaviour.
In Torrevieja, local residents have been fined for taking long walks along the seafront, for being out driving in couples or for taking unnecessary bike rides. Most of those pulled up for these offences were foreign residents from Western Europe. Checkpoints had been set up on busy central streets like Ramon Gallud and
the Paseo de la Libertad promenade. In Orihuela, the police have heard numerous excuses from people flaunting the rules. Fines have been issued to those that have skipped quarantine to visit their girlfriend or boyfriend, that have been to visit family for dinner, a cyclist dressed in full Lycra claiming to be going to feed his chickens and not out for leisure, a man out on rollerblades "skiing" in the middle of the road and even to those that state to have not even been aware that there was a lockdown in place. If you are not sure of the exceptions for being out during this quarantine, please check out our guide on page 2.
Around ten people of been checked into two hostels and hotels in the town, although some have been reluctant to move from the streets, however, there are no official figures of how many people are sleeping rough at this time Originally, the Department for Social welfare had planned on temporarily relocating people to the municipal Sports Centre as an improvised hostel, as it did in 2019 during extreme cold weather. However this suggestion was quickly discounted as it would have been difficult to maintain the required social distancing. There have been many talks in the past about creating a special hostel for those that wander the streets but it has yet to come to any fruition.
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Sunshine News • Friday 20th March 2020
Expiry Dates Extension If during this quarantine period your driving license expires or car ITV (MOT) runs out, given the extraordinary circumstances a special extension has been granted by the Spanish government. Due to the fact that normal administration procedures are unable to be carried out as many offices remain shut, you will still be permitted to drive and law enforcement agents will not fine under these circumstances. When the situation gets back to normal, there will be an established period of time to get things back up to date.
Robbery Avoided Delinquents took advantage of the empty streets to try and steal a cash machine with more than 25.000 euros inside. The failed attempt took place in the Aguamarina area of Orihuela Costa during the night. Luckily, a neighbour heard the commotion, as they were trying to load the machine into a vehicle, and alerted police. They were able to arrive quickly on the scene but the perpetrators had already fled emptyhanded.
We are pleased to announce we have a brand new purpose built tanatorio & crematorio in San Miguel de Salinas Grupo Rocamer are one of only a few companies who offer this type of plan to prepare for your funeral expenses. Rocamer have been in existence for over 70 years and have built up a trust and reliability within the Spanish & Expat communities. Now this opportunity is being offered to the British & Irish communities too, and you don’t have to be a permanent resident in Spain.
HANDWASHING THE CORRECT WAY Advice from the World Health Organisation
Look After Each Other It is a known fact that we can't live without food so one of the few permitted exceptions for leaving your residence during quarantine is if you need to go shopping. Supermarket and shop staff are busier than ever before ensuring the supply of food and other basic necessities to the masses. They are unable to stay at home. They are even working overtime and in increasing numbers as stores hire extra hands to cover the excess workload. As this virus is spread by contact, workers can be putting their own health at risk if a customer might be infected. There are some courtesies that as consumers we can follow to help curb any unnecessary spreading whilst in these commercial
establishments. The recommendations to follow are: only go shopping individually (unless unavoidable, ie. with a minor or other dependants), wash your hands upon entering and leaving and use the gloves provided. Remember to also keep your distance, standing a meter apart from shop workers and other customers and if possible pay by card to avoid extra contact. Finally, although maybe the most obvious, please do not stockpile or panic buy - only take what you need. The government has confirmed that supplies will continue to get to supermarket shelves so please make sure there is enough for everybody.
Sunshine News • Friday 20th March 2020
BEWARE FAKE NEWS In times of crisis like the one being faced by almost the entire world right now, it is even more important to be on the lookout for misinformation or "Fake News".
With the near-ubiquitous use of social media networks, information can now spread at a speed and pace never before witnessed in human history. However, not all information is factual and some individuals take pleasure in seeding fabricated facts and watching how far they can spread the false message around the world. For example, just this week has
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seen a false message regarding helicopters spraying the streets of Torrevieja. This was false. Spreading fake news can increase panic amongst the population
and in some cases can lead to arrests and charges being brought. To make sure you get factual information, only use reputable news sources and doublecheck everything before sharing. Follow your local police force and town hall on social media for official updates and use fact-checking websites such as snopes.com to verify information.
TORREVIEJA SOLIDARITY CAMPAIGN Can you sew? Stuck at home with nothing to do? Then this could be of interest to you. We are (mostly) all aware that there is an ongoing health crisis gripping the nation and everybody has been confirmed indoors during this quarantine period. Boredom is already setting in for many and people are feeling pretty helpless against this invisible enemy. However, Torrevieja has launched a campaign where local residents can help alleviate both situations - if you know how to sew. If you fancy lending a hand to sew
face masks for the Torrevieja Hospital then here's what you need to do: • Send a WhatsApp to 605.403.331 with your address. • Civil Protection will bring to your home the necessary material and instructions. • Once you have completed a minimum of 25 masks call the number on the pack. • Civil Protection will collect them to take to the hospital. #StayAtHome - #QuedateEnCasa
Have you got a local news story? Email newsdesk@sunshinenews.es
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Staying In
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Sunshine News • Friday 20th March 2020
COSTA BLANCA LIVE LOUNGES There is an old saying that goes along the lines of "You can't keep a good thing down" and this is especially true for the entertainers
here on the Costa Blanca.
Despite the total bar & restaurant lockdown we are all currently under, many of the Costa's top
entertainers have still been pleasing their audiences - from the comfort of their own living rooms! Using the power of Facebook Live entertainers have been beamed into the homes of other Facebook users and provided some much-needed respite from the realities of lockdown. There have been shows each night so far with several acts on each nights line-up.
GET FREE PUBLICITY FOR YOUR EVENTS
You can find them on Facebook by searching for 'Live Lounge Costa Blanca'. Give the page a like, then when they go live you will get a notification so you can tune in and enjoy the show!
email events@sunshinenews.es
Punta Marina Commercial Centre
Just some of the shows in the Live Lounges so far...
Isabela’s Italian Restaurant 3 Course Set Menu from 10.50€ including coffee or dessert
Spezzatino Di Pollo Penne Al Forno Lasagna Al Forno Mushroom & Chicken Risotto Baked Salmon Grilled Swordfish Pork Bearnese
Entertainment on selected nights Telephone 642 039 490
Isabela’s Italian Restaurant
Centro Comercial Lomas de Caboroig & La Fuente Centro Comercial
Sunshine News • Friday 13th 20th March 2020
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CARDIFF CITY LEGEND PETER WHITTINGHAM DIES AFTER HEAD INJURY Cardiff City legend Peter Whittingham dies after head injury
The former Cardiff City and Aston Villa midfielder Peter Whittingham has died at the age of 35, the Welsh club have announced. Whittingham had what South Wales police described as an accidental fall at a Barry pub on 7 March and had been in hospital with head injuries. Police confirmed on Wednesday that Whittingham was fighting for his life in hospital after a tragic accident in a seaside pub on the evening of March 7. The former England Under 21 international had been on a life support machine in hospital for the past 12 days but his pregnant wife Amanda was at his bedside when it was turned off after doctors said there was no hope. Whittingham joined Cardiff for 350,000
at the forefront of our thoughts and, on their behalf, we ask for their privacy to be respected at this unfathomably cruel and difficult time.
But it is with Cardiff that the stylish left-footed playmaker will be forever most closely associated.
First and foremost, Peter was a family man and somebody who could light up a room with his sense of humour, warmth and personality. Then, as a professional footballer as a Bluebird, he excelled with talent, ease, grace and humility. Nobody did it better.
Whittingham was a huge fans' favourite at Cardiff, scoring numerous spectacular long-range goals which helped earn him a place in the EFL's team of the decade for 2005-2015. He was also Championship top scorer in 2009 and that was from midfield. It is with an immeasurable amount of sorrow that we must inform supporters that Peter Whittingham has passed away at the age of 35, Cardiff said. We are heartbroken. The news of Peters sudden and untimely passing has shaken us to our very foundation. Our love goes out to his wife, Amanda, their young son and family. They are
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Sports by Dan Davy Listen to Dan every weekday 5pm- 8pm on Sunshine FM for regular sports updates.
in 2007 and established himself as a club legend with 459 appearances and 98 goals before leaving in 2017. Whittingham then moved to Blackburn Rovers, before leaving a year later.
During Whittingham's 10 years with the club, the Bluebirds reached the 2008 FA Cup final, 2012 League Cup final and won promotion to the Premier League in 2013.
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The loss of Peter will be painfully felt by our city, supporters and indeed all who ever had the pleasure of knowing him. We love you Pete and your memory will eternally stay with us. Former Cardiff City chairman Peter Ridsdale has also paid tribute to Peter Whittingham, who has died at the age of 35, by revealing how Graham Taylor told him the winger was one of the most talented players at Aston Villa. The thing that was amazing was we had little or no money and I had been told by Graham Taylor that Peter was probably the most outstanding talent Aston Villa had got, said Ridsdale. He just lacked a little bit of self-belief at the time, but Graham thought he
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could be a top Premier League player. In terms of sheer skill and what he could do with his left foot, he was one of the most talented players that Graham had seen come through. We thought it was a great coup to take him and Martin ONeill, who was Villa manager at the time, was miffed because he thought he was worth a lot more money than we paid. From the day we signed him, Peter was one of the most talented players in the Cardiff team. He was a gentleman, he was quiet, he had a dry sense of humour and sometimes you wouldn't notice him until he did something special on the pitch. He was just such a nice guy.
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