COSTA BLANCA SUR / MURCIA FREE
E IV US CL EX
The
OLIVE PRESS
Your expat
voice in Spain
Vol. 1 Issue 14 www.theolivepress.es May 14th - May 27th, 2020
THE MAN WHO BEAT COVID TWICE An expat from Alicante has proven you can catch the Coronavirus a second time... and still survive
Find out how on P4
AN emu has become the latest victim of coronavirus. The flightless bird in Verdegas, Alicante, has been left homeless after its owner died of COVID-19. It was part of a menagerie of 27 animals, which also included a llama – since re-homed in Barcelona – that were left abandoned. A concerned local called in El Refugito del Burrito donkey sanctuary in Cordoba, which has been sending supplies for the animals to be fed. When it comes to being rehomed, the emu has been left firmly down the pecking order. Nicky Cohen, from the refuge said: “The problem is that you need a special zoological licence to own an emu. “If there is anyone who does have the right papers, we would love to hear from them.”
disaster THE European Union is making a desperate bid to salvage the holiday season for the costas. It comes after Brits were warned that holidays abroad this summer are ‘very likely’ to be cancelled. Health Secretary Matt Hancock broke the potentially devastating news for Spain during an appearance on ITV’s This Morning on Tuesday.
Expats describe the likely cancelation of the summer holidays for Brits in Spain as ‘catastrophic’
By Laurence Dollimore and Joshua Parfitt
“We haven’t made a final decision... but it is unlikely that big, lavish international holidays are going to be possible for this summer,” he told hosts Holly Willoughby and Philip Schofield. The move, if confirmed, would be a
At least you can do this at last..
Photo by Allan Binderup
Down the pecking order
MIRACLE: Ian Tanner, 62, survived two spells at Torrevieja hospital two months apart
FREEDOM: Palma residents finally get to enjoy a drink on a restaurant terrace as Mallorca enters Phase 1
huge blow for the Spanish tourism industry, with the costas heavily reliant on the tens of millions of British tourists who visit every summer. Some 12% of the country’s GDP is from tourism, while in the Comunidad Valenciana it is the biggest employer, generating 14.6% of the region’s GDP. The revelation by Hancock came just hours after Spain announced a mandatory 14-day quarantine for all international travellers arriving from May 15 - the same measure announced by the UK on Monday. It would mean tourists having to stay inside their accommodation for two weeks, before having to quarantine once again when arriving back to the UK. “It will most likely continue throughout the de-escalation period,” confirmed Health Minister Salvador Illa. This could run into July. For those without second homes and who don’t plan on staying for months at a time, it makes a holiday to Spain practically impossible in the short term. The moves were described as a ‘disas-
ter’ by the Costa Blanca’s leading hotel association, Hosbec. “If the quarantine is still in place in July and August, we can wave goodbye to any hopes of British tourists returning this summer,” its president, Toni Mayor, said. “For places like Benidorm that depend so heavily on UK tourists, it would be a disaster.” He added: “I don’t see international flights to Spain resuming until July at the earliest. It’s a body blow.” Local expats are certainly in agreement. Former West End star and leading Benidorm entertainer Jamie Somers, said he’s already seen ‘thousands in losses’ and won’t make a penny until ‘July or August’. The singer, who performs 14 times a week in the summer, added: “What people tend to forget, is most in the entertainment game live hand-tomouth from November until the season picks up. “To have to wait four fallow months Continues on Page 4
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NEWS IN BRIEF Super-saving MERCADONA has launched a four-day week as an ‘exceptional measure’ to protect staff from coronavirus.
Cycle aware TWISTED pranksters have been laying dangerous traps for cyclists in Albacete. Several routes have been dotted with nails protruding from the earth while barbed wire has been set to trip up bicycles.
It’s no Djoke SERBIAN tennis number one Novak Djokovic has caused another controversy after posting a video on his Instagram account of a practice session at Marbella’s Puente Romano during Phase 0 of Spain’s de-escalation plans.
Over and out THE coronavirus will have left Spain by September 9, a new study from the Singapore University of Technology and Design has predicted, with 99% of cases forecast to be registered by May 22.
NEWS
Claws out A CHINESE expat has slammed a vet after she claims her cat died in mysterious circumstances at the clinic overnight. Diana Wang, 34, believed her British shorthair cat named Minou was merely suffering from a bladder infection when she dropped him into the Mijas vet on May 1. But the next day she got a call from the vet saying he had died of a ‘heart failure’. Police are now looking into her claims and she is demanding explanations from the Butibamba vet in La Cala de Mijas.
At last!
THE president of La Liga has said he hopes Spanish football will return next month. Javier Tebas expressed his hope that the league can resume on June 12. The statement came just hours after it was revealed that FIVE top players have tested positive for the virus, as well as three non playing staff. But Tebas remained positive and said: “It is less than we expected. We expected 25 or 30, according to the numbers seen in the Bundesliga and the potency of the virus in Spain.”
May 14 th - May 27th 2020
You’ve got explosive mail
Expat denounces vet after her cat dies in mysterious circumstances EXCLUSIVE By Dimitris Kouimtsidis
“I have asked the vet why he didn’t do a urine test on Minou and he said he didn’t have to because he could see what he had. “I then asked how he could know what was wrong with him and then he got angry saying it was my fault the cat died because I took him to the vet too late”, she added.
She claims she was ‘manhandled’ out of the vet when she asked to see CCTV footage of the night in question. “I felt so humiliated,” adding that she had phoned the police who arrived and took her statement, before phoning an ambulance as she couldn’t feel her limbs. She was later told she had experienced ‘an anxiety attack’. The clinic failed to comment before we went to print.
TRAGIC: Diana and her late kitty Minou
Brit THUG bust
AN ‘extremely violent’ British fugitive has been caught in a sleepy inland town in Andalucia. Known only as L.W.J and with a European Arrest Warrant hanging over his head, the man had been attempting to lay low in Albox in Almeria. According to Guardia Civil, an investigation was launched after intel revealed he had moved to Puerto Lumbreras. The man is wanted for serious crimes back in the UK, although the nature of the offences is yet to be detailed. Neighbours described him as ‘extremely violent’ and told police they believed he could be
armed. Police initially tracked him to the port at the end of April, but he somehow managed to evade capture during a raid and went back on the run for several days. Investigators set up a task force to track him down for a second time after receiving a tip off that he may be in the area of Paraje Ventarique. Within a few days, officers had located and cuffed the wanted man before starting the extradition process. He will be transported from Madrid back to the UK to face justice. Do you know the identity of this fugitive? Contact newsdesk@theolivepress.es
COVID catches ‘Billy the Kid’ THE notorious torturer and Franco henchman Antonio Gonzalez Pacheco, otherwise known as ‘Billy the Kid’, has died from the coronavirus aged 73. According to police sources, Pacheco died at 7am at the San Francisco de Anis Psyciatric Hospital in Malaga. Known for his brutality and torturing of Franco’s opposition, Pacheco was in the middle of an inquest to remove his government funded medals and inflated pensions for his ‘services rendered’ during his time in the police force. He enrolled in 1971 and was assigned to the social research department, a group dedicated to the investigation and oppression of Anti-Franco groups. He quickly grew a reputation
A WAR bomb has been intercepted on the Costa Blanca after being bought online as a ‘decorative item.’ A seller had attempted to send the grenade from Alicante to Mallorca by mail, before the Explosives Deactivation Unit of Alicante (TEDAX) intervened at a post office. The crack team was called to the scene after staff became suspicious of the package. Police confirmed that the mortar grenade was potentially highly explosive and could have caused serious damage during handling. The seller, a 42-year-old man, has been arrested for possession of explosives and crimes against public safety.
Shaken and stirred POLICE were sent to track down a coronavirus patient who left her hospital in La Rioja to go and buy a coffee. Nurses called the Guardia Civil when they noticed the woman was missing and hadn’t told any of the medical staff. The agents found her sitting on a nearby bench drinking her latte. The area was then evacuated, while the cafe she purchased the coffee, along with the bench she sat on, was sanitised.
Capital punishment
DEAD: Coronavirus kills Franco torturer Pacheco for his aggressive nature and his willingness to reach for his pistol in the style of the Wild West, a quirk that gave him his infamous nickname. Since his retirement in 1982, Pacheco has been apparently immune to prosecution, with numerous courts fighting to make him accountable for his crimes.
POLICE in Madrid broke up 400 house parties over the weekend. They also broke up 97 social gatherings in parks across the capital. In addition, 3,847 fines were issued to those not adhering to lockdown restrictions. That figure represents a 22.8% increase compared to the fines issued last weekend, which were 3,133.
It’s a fine time THE number of people fined for breaking coronavirus restrictions in Spain has remained at around 15,000 a day on average. This continuous civil disobedience takes the country’s tally of financial penalties during lockdown to more than 900,000. Since March 14 when lockdown was announced, the Policia Local has had handed out 300,437 fines, the Guardia Civil 255,033 and Policia Nacional, 236,568.
NEWS
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May 14 th - May 27th 2020
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Signed, sealed, delivered (finally!) THEY say when you move to Spain you should expect a slower pace of life...and that extends to the postal service. While post can often take a few extra days, even a week to cross Spain, you don’t expect a letter going along the Costa del Sol to take FOUR YEARS. That’s exactly what has happened to a letter sent by Mrs J Hollowell, based in Benalmadena, who had wanted to give her opinion on the story of youngster Alfie Barton, who broke his leg while holi-
No new normality! PENELOPE Cruz and Pedro Almodovar have joined Madonna, Robert de Niro and a host of Nobel prize winners in a new fight for the environment. The Spanish stars have joined over 200 international notaries pleading that the world does not ‘return to normality.’ In an open letter led by actress Juliette Binoche and astrophysicist Aurélien Barrau, the stars claim the coronavirus crisis ‘has the power’ to confront essential issues over consumption and pollution.
Catastrophe
The group, also including Cate Blanchett, Monica Bellucci and Spanish singer Miguel Bose, hope the lockdown can help to avoid an ‘ecological catastrophe’. Consumerism, according to their claim, ‘has led us to deny the value of life itself: that of plants, animals and a great many people.’ “Pollution and the destruction of natural areas are leading the world to breaking point, and for these reasons, combined with growing social inequalities, it seems unthinkable to us to return to normality.’
CRUZ: And Almodovar
daying in Spain. But despite being clearly addressed to the Olive Press office in Manilva, and most importantly with a stamp, the letter, sent on October 5, 2016, arrived only this week. If you’re reading this Mrs Hollowell, the letter DID find us well, it just got delivered a little later than expected. And yes, some fair points on why Alfie’s family wanted him treated back in the UK.
No Yoke
Darlene the hen shocks British owners after producing triple-yolk egg EGG-CLUSIVE By Laurence Dollimore
A BRITISH expat couple are expecting a big lottery win after their hen laid a TRIPLE-YOLK egg this week. The chances of that happening, according to the British Egg Information Service, are one in 25 million. In fact you’re more likely to be struck by lightning (two million to one), or be involved in a plane crash (11 million to one). “I hope she brings us luck in the way of a lottery win now,” Yorkshire-born expat Monalita Cairns, 48, joked to the Olive Press. A PROFESSIONAL singer has been forced to end his balcony concerts following a slew of complaints from a not-so-appreciative neighbour. Big-hearted Miguel Gonzalez, 45, thought he was doing a great community service during the lockdown, performing from his flat’s terrace in Nerja to coincide with the 8pm applause for frontline health workers. But the crooner, who usually
Cher-ing is caring CHICKEN LICKEN: Darlene and expats “My husband Alex actually picked her out, he said he saw something special in her.” And Alex, 63, wasn’t wrong. According to the retired couple, who live in Alora in inland Malaga, the plucky hen, named Darlene, had been laying double-yolked eggs for most of last week before producing a triple-yolk stunner on Monday. “I cracked it this morning and had it for my brekkie,” added
Sing bin performs in bars and restaurants, soon received several warnings from police to put a stop to the sessions. After refusing to end his performances, officers were forced to deliver an official complaint to his home. He is reportedly talking to Nerja town hall about a permit.
Monalita, “it was delicious.” Darlene was one of seven hens bought from nearby Agrocementos Alora, a local animal food shop. They had hoped the hens would give them a steady supply of eggs during the lockdown. They joined five dogs, four cats, two goats and two horses who already lived on the couple’s land. “It might seem lame, but our hens really cheer us up in these strange times,” said Monalita, who owned a furniture business in Wakefield, before moving to Spain, “And Darlene really eggcelled herself, I didn’t even know triple yolkers existed.” A double-yolked or triple-yolked egg occurs when two or more egg yolks are released into a hen's oviduct at the same time and too close together and end up in the same shell. Send us your animal funnies to newsdesk@theolivepress.es
POP legend Cher is giving Spanish-speaking children something to cheer. The 73-year-old has launched her version of ABBA hit Chiquitita in the latin language. Proceeds from the recording will go to children’s charity UNICEF – just as the profits from the original do. Cher said: “When everything changed in the world I wanted to help. This seemed like the right time to complete the cover.”
Web of shame
AN attempted burglary has gone spectacularly wrong after a man, dressed as comic book hero, Spiderman, fell nearly seven metres from an apartment balcony. The incident occured in Malaga early on Sunday morning when a young couple were awoken by a noise coming from the kitchen. When confronted by the couple the intruder - dressed in a Spiderman mask and gloves - fled back through the open window and fell off a tight ledge, failing to
grab hold of a gutter. The couple phoned the police who arrived to find the wannabe thief unconscious on the floor. An ambulance was called and by the time paramedics arrived, the 47-year-old had regained consciousness and was duly arrested for his botched attempt at breaking and entering. He was transferred to the Carlos Haya Hospital in Malaga for multiple fractures where he is currently recovering from his injuries.
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The end of summer From Page 1
and then have the summer taken away from you… it’s catastrophic.” He added: “A number of entertainers may be forced to go home, though I do believe it’s a question of staying strong in body and mind. When it does open up, Benidorm will be ready like a raging bull.” There is still a glimmer of hope for tourism, with Ryanair announcing that it would be restarting around 40% of its flights across Europe from July 1. Flying out of 80 bases, their destinations and the probability of them filling up will depend on agreements between countries. The UK has already confirmed, for example, that quarantine measures will not apply to those travelling from France or Ireland and there will be considerable lobbying by the Spanish tourism industry and airlines over the next few weeks.
Flexible
Last night the European Union confirmed it would do everything it could to help It proposes a phased approach across the European Union that sweeps away closed borders and travel restrictions. The Commission said is looking to give people the ability, confidence and safety to travel again. “Free movement and cross-border travel are key to tourism,” insisted a spokesman. But he warned: “This approach must also be flexible, including the possibility to reintroduce certain measures if the epidemiological situation requires.” Germany is now studying an agreement with Mallorca, while a corridor is already set to open up between the Czech Republic and Croatia, taking in Austria and Germany. Whatever happens, it will be a massive blow for Spain if the usual British influx does not happen in July and August. Brits represent 21.6% of the foreign tourists coming to Spain each year, contributing the lion’s share of the €92 billion raked in by the industry in 2019. Currently, people flying into Spain must be either returning citizens or residents or have a justified reason for doing so. It is not yet known when Spain’s borders will be reopened to international tourism. While officially the land and sea borders are to remain closed until May 24, that is likely to be extended for another two weeks (until June 8). Opinion Page 6
NEWS
Double dose British expat grandad gets coronavirus TWICE in two months
A BRITISH expat has urged the public to ‘take coronavirus seriously’ after catching the lethal virus twice in two months. Ian Tanner, who has lived on the Costa Blanca for three years, has suffered permanent lung damage from the disease. The former maintenance business owner, 62, who lives in Orihuela Costa, tested positive to COVID-19 last Friday - some seven weeks since he was first diagnosed - and recovered - on March 25. It comes after he had felt fine for over a month, but then went back to doctors complaining of what he thought was a blood clot in his arm. Medics at the private Hospital Quironsalud Torrevieja instead found he had a lung infection, permanent scarring and took a COVID-19 test and found he was positive again. “I was walking around, going to the shops, it was horrendous,” Tanner, from Kent, told the Olive Press. “It’s horrendous to think I had my three grandchildren come to stay for 10 days and I was cuddling them without knowing. “And all the time I was positive.” It comes after Tanner was initially hospitalised and tested positive for COVID-19 on March 25. His wife Sue had been hospitalised the day before, and was ‘within a whisker’ of dying after
EXCLUSIVE By Joshua Parfitt
she suffered double pneumonia. “Thank Christ she pulled through,” said Ian. While Sue, 62, spent 17 days in the Hospital Universitario de Torrevieja, medical staff sent Ian home after just four days under daily supervision saying he had made a full recovery. They even told him he would be safe to go out after two weeks. The 14-day self-isolation period was supposed to end on April 11 – nearly a month before Ian tested positive once again to COVID-19 by PCR, the standard testing procedure for the virus. During the two weeks of isolation he didn’t go out and only had
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MIRACLE: Sue and Ian Tanner, (right) recovering at home this week twice-weekly visits from a nurse. “When you come out of that condition, you think ‘I am immune, the virus has gone’,” Ian, who said he had no significant medical history, added. “But of course it hadn’t. If it
Saddled with fines POLICE have rescued a 24-year-old man who fell off his horse – and then fined him. Police were called by the man’s riding partner, who was in a state of extreme nervousness and could barely point agents in the direction of his injured friend. Finally, on a steep hillside in the backwaters of Castellon they found the injured rider surrounded by blood on a narrow path. He was unconscious and had a large six-inch cut on his head. He was given immediate medical aid before being transferred to Castellon Hospital by helicopter. Police later fined both men, who had broken coronavirus quarantine rules by going out for a horse ride together. The horses also lacked an Equine Identification Document, a microchip and did not have obligatory vaccines.
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May 14 th - May 27th 2020
wasn’t for this lung infection, I’d still be out there talking and possibly infecting friends, probably without a mask on. “The Spanish health system saved my wife’s life, but it’s a worry they’re not testing patients again regularly after they leave hospital.” Ian thought Spain was doing a ‘good job’ to combat COVID-19 but his bizarre re-infection and asymptomatic response made him wonder ‘how can this end?’ He believed he picked up the first infection from a casino he and his wife visited on March 12.
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Fees can vary I’m only too aware of how One product that 10,000s massively, even many of you out there either already have these of Brits in Spain have on seemingly products, or are consimade use of are Spanidering opening one, but sh Compliant Investment the same perhaps do not fully unBonds. These are effectively tax wrappers that recommendation derstand their taxation. allow you to hold a diverse To make life as easy as portfolio of investments in Pound Sterling, Euro and even US do- possible Chorus Financial have put tollar. Popular providers include Pruden- gether a detailed video that explains tial International, Lombard Internatio- the taxation of these products, and we would recommend anyone considering nal, Quilter PLC and SEB. an investment in Spain to go and watch at https://www.chorusfinancial.es/ Regardless of which company you it ultimately go ahead with, the tax be- how-are -spanish- compliant-investnefits are all the same, and these pro- ment-bonds-taxed/ - or just visit www. ducts can be very beneficial for those chorusfinancial.es and look under the trying to grow their capital or genera- ‘Investment Management’ tab. The advisers trading as Chorus Financial are members of OpesFidelio and authorised to give financial advice subject to contract in parts of the EEA, including Spain, CNMV No Registro Oficial 3970. OpesFidelio is a trademarked network of the Aisa Group which includes Aisa Financial Planning Ltd and Aisa International s.r.o. Aisa Financial Planning is authorised and regulated in the UK as an independent financial adviser for UK retail clients by the Financial Conduct Authority, Reference number: 189652, and has permissions throughout the EEA under both directives IDD and MiFID. Aisa International s.r.o. is authorised and regulated in the Czech Republic as a financial adviser by the Czech National Bank and has permissions through selected EEA countries, including Spain.
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NEWS
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Veg pledge MORE than 700 tonnes of fruit and vegetables have been distributed to vulnerable people in the Costa Blanca region thanks to the EU and Spain’s Agriculture Ministry. Around 15 tonnes of food a day have been delivered throughout Valenciana and the Costa Blanca, despite the restrictive lockdown rules relating to transport. With the combination of the coronavirus pandemic, families going without food and travel restrictions, key organisations have had to act quickly.
Essential
The Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Climate Emergency and Ecological Transition, immediately declared the essential nature of the task in distributing healthy food to the needy. Typically, it delivers fresh fruit and vegetables to food banks and the Red Cross in Valenciana. Continuity of its service has been facilitated by the Ministry of Agriculture, which also ensures PPE and controls are in place for drivers and staff. The Valencian government has also requested more of the European agricultural guarantee funds (EAGF) to increase the various operations until the end of the pandemic.
Fire away FIRMS across Spain will be able to fire staff when the government’s ERTE furlough scheme ends. The move puts an end to a month-long debate with unions, politicians and workers’ associations. The agreement, signed by the government and the CCOO and UGT unions as well as two business associations, is intended to release pressure on industries facing lasting effects from the coronavirus lockdown.
The key clause puts an end to requirements that employers must maintain all staff put on an ERTE for six months after the scheme ends, currently set for June 30. The hospitality industry in particular complained that a reduction in tourism this summer would make it impossible for bar and restaurant owners to retain their workforce. But new rules state the terminations of contracts by ‘fuerza mayor’ ‘will be valued based on the specific characteristics of the different sectors and labour regulations. It says ‘those companies that present a high variability or seasonality of employment’ will be given flexibility to survive.
May 14 th - May 27th 2020
Fortress Europe BRUSSELS may keep the EU’s external borders closed until at least mid-June. The EU’s executive has asked countries to extend the travel ban – currently set to expire on May 15 – by another 30 days.
You’re barred! British expat exiled from pub for ‘trying to kiss and hug everyone’ on first night of opening in Phase 1 of de-escalation plan A PUB has been forced to ban a British woman on the very first day of ‘Phase 1’ of the COVID-19 de-escalation plan. The Chandelier Sports & Entertainment Bar had only been open a few hours when the woman came in and started ‘demanding hugs and kisses’, seeming to‘ break every social distancing guideline there is.’ Owner Gareth Pittaway has since appealed to the public for common sense. “It’s difficult when people get so drunk they can’t look after themselves,” he told the Olive Press.
EXCLUSIVE By Simon Wade
“If you can’t abide by the rules, then don’t go out, because you’ll kill more people and push us all back to Phase 0.”
Disgrace
Pittaway added that the woman wasn’t a regular but is known in the area. “She was still arguing with staff as the police arrived,” he added “We have no concerns about
banning people, and telling other bars on La Finca about what we’ve done so they can be prepared – there will be no second chances.” Understandably, there was indignation from fellow expats. Karen Reeves of Rojales said: “Whilst it was nice to see everyone having a good time, it was alarming to see someone breaking the rules and trying to hug people.” Others said the woman’s behaviour has discouraged them from wanting to go back outside. “This is exactly why I’m not going out, I could see this
TOUGH: Landlord Gareth happening,” Val Jones of Algorfa told this paper. Vanessa Willingham, in Torrevieja, added: “It’s an absolute disgrace.” Since the episode, the unnamed customer has contacted the bar to apologise, but remains banned.
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TESTING TIMES
ITV test centres run by Grupo Itevebasa reopen their doors throughout the region this week, meaning motorists can now book ahead and have their vehicles checked after more than two months of lockdown. They have prepared all sites to guarantee the safety of workers and customers. Certain restrictions have been imposed, all related to social distancing and reducing the spread of coronavirus. Walk-in appointments are not permitted.
Fairway to treat us ORIHUELA town hall has opened up four of its five golf courses this week under strict ‘Phase 1’ guidelines. The Real Campoamor Golf Club, Villamartin, Las Colinas and Vistabella are now all open for business - albeit at a limited capacity. In an agreement between different autonomous communities and the Secretary of State of Tourism, limited play is allowed in the region. All courses must provide PPE and adhere to social distancing rules to limit the spread of coronavirus.
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www.theolivepress.es Voted top expat paper in Spain
A campaigning, community newspaper, the Olive Press represents the huge expatriate community in Spain with an estimated readership, including the websites, of more than two million people a month.
OPINION Dead in the water? WITH Las Fallas cancelled, the feria season binned and dining out a distant memory, what could possibly come next? The scrapping of the summer season, that’s what. It’s the nightmare scenario that thousands of expat businesses around Spain were coming to terms with this week. The doomsday reality of hotels and restaurants without British tourists in July and August. And yes...the loss of perhaps half of their annual income. It is a cruel twist of fate that Spain was one of the best performing economies before the COVID catastrophe hit. Looking forward to one of its rosiest years in history, we were all set for the good times to finally roll. So it is heartbreaking to think that hundreds of thousands of businesses are facing collapse. One figure bandied about is 800,000 of them. So many of these will be owned by plucky expats who settled here to pursue their dreams - many likely linked to tourism, the worst industry affected. How can Spain expect people to survive if summer is cancelled?
Vigilant
While avoiding another outbreak is of course the priority, the words ‘body blow’ and ‘disaster’, as the Alicante hotel lobby described it this week, is about spot on. Let’s hope the EU can put in place a continent-wide protocol that will at least allow some level of sensible international tourism to return. Surely the British and Spanish can also hash out some sort of agreement given their strong ties, both economically and socially? After all, the French have done it, haven’t they? Of course, nothing is known until we see how the virus progresses over the next few weeks. And if current numbers continue, there’s hope that Spain could at least begin to open up to the international market. To help the chances of that happening, we must all remain vigilant and keep to the rules regarding hygiene and social distancing. All we can do now is hope and pray some sort of summer returns, and if not, that the government does what it has to do to get us all through it. It’s not going to be cheap.
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FEATURE
Everything’s up in the
In four honest, contrasting views, a trio of wellestablished expat hoteliers and a tourist chief give their incisive analysis on the current COVID crisis and the prospects for the season ahead Andy Chapell at Molino del Santo, in Benaojan, near Ronda, which has no opening date yet
F
OR the owner of a rural hotel and restaurant, I’ve never felt so concerned for my business. In over 30 years of running the molino, nothing has come close to causing so much heartache and loss of sleep… and we’ve had floods, deep recessions and countless other irritations. There are so many issues, the first being safety. After all, how can we possibly think of opening if we can't keep our staff and customers safe? All of the money in the world is no use if you're dead or responsible for someone else’s death. With all due respect to the experts of the world, we do not yet know the full implications of COVID-19. Until we are able to control it with complete security, do I want to be responsible for risking people's lives? Definitely not. Number two is uncertainty. And there are
How are we supposed to cover the additional costs of putting in safety measures? Big hotels, with economies of scale, can spread the costs of protective screens, extra cleaning, inspections, thermometers, etc, among hundreds of guests. Rural establishments with much less footfall are going to find these costs very difficult to allay. What are the chances of a second spike? Assuming we do open, juggling the numbers, absorbing the additional expenses of opening safely, and working really hard to get things going… what happens if we have to close down again because the virus presents itself again? This worry factor is a potential health risk to me personally. going
plenty of questions that are waking me up at 4am: When will international flights be resumed? Without them we are going to struggle to generate enough income to cover basic costs. At present 85% of our clientele live outside Spain so until borders are opened we would have to totally reinvent ourselves for a local market which will be saturated with offers from all hospitality sectors. A Guardia Civil source recently We are hinted that borders may not to need a lot open this calendar year. My preference is that we Will people feel confident are given the opportunity of support to enough to travel even if borto remain closed without ders are open? We suspect it penalties until there is enable us to will take an effective vaccine more certainty on the fuemploy people ture. to restore real confidence. How much help is the govYes, I really want to give my ernment going to offer? We staff jobs, I want guests are going to need a lot of support to ento be able to enjoy all that our business able us to employ people. We hear that and this wonderful country can offer but 80,000 small businesses in Spain are I need clarity. threatened with bankruptcy in the current At the moment everything is up in the climate unless there is significant assisair - apart from, of course, those aircraft tance. At the moment there is no indicathat we urgently need in order to start tion of what form any help may take. getting back to some normality.
Corona-rogues Middlemen screw farmers and consumers as demand for fresh food goes bananas By Dilip Kuner & Laurence Dollimore
Y
OU may have noticed empty shelves at your local supermarket over the last month or two, but many of you have also noticed an apparent rise in the price of foodstuffs. The Olive Press has discovered that greedy go-betweens are pocketing the difference as on-the-shelf food prices rocket while farmers are paid peanuts. Demand for fruit and veg since the lockdown began in Spain has seen prices for some products such as mandarins shoot up by 42%, according to figures from the farmers’ association COAG. They now average €2.55 a kilo, up from €1.75 in February, while farmers still get a rock-bottom 35 cents a kilo. Other big price hikes have been seen for cabbage (up 28 %), carrots (up 22%) and aubergines (up 20%). In all cases farmers get a fraction in comparison. Price tags on pork and chicken have also risen by 6.4% and 2.5% respectively. “The speculators and intermediaries in the food c h a i n , are making a killing,” insisted Andres Góngora, of COAG Andalucia. “This is at the expense of the efforts of farmers, who are at the bottom of the ladder, producing quality fresh food for which they receive a pittance. “The practice of the speculators is to reduce prices paid to farmers while keeping them high for consumers, even when consumption is up,” he added. “They are abusing the supply-demand system.” Greater demand might explain some of the rise. People worried about COVID-19 have been tucking into more fruit and veg to boost their immune systems. According to official figures, consumption of fresh produce has risen 44%. But at the same time farmers have seen ‘farm gate prices’ plunge by an average of 77% in Spain, claims COAG. The price rises have not gone unnoticed, with 82.8% of people saying they had seen an increase, according to Consumers’ group FACUA which received more than 10,000 responses to a recent Twitter poll. Just 17.2% said they had not noticed price rises. Another 15.4% of the 10,606 consumers who took part believe that there have been increases, but only for certain products. But 48.2% of people said they had noticed price hikes in the majority of items.
SCARCITY: Fruit and veg in short supply in Manilva Mercadona
Brand names only ONLINE buyers are being forced to buy expensive well known brands as cheaper white-label products are out of stock. Unofficial consumers’ watchdog OCU says that since the start of the lockdown it has spotted ‘moderate’ price rises at online supermarket services from companies including Carrefour and Hipercor. But the average shopper’s bill is set to be higher than normal as ‘out of stock’ notices mean they have to turn to brand names. The Organisation has been monitoring the price of a basket of 25 food and household products at supermarkets in Barcelona, Bilbao, Madrid, Murcia, Sevilla and Zaragoza. Worst city for unavailability was Sevilla, where 40% of Carrefour’s products were sold out. On average the French-based supermarket chain had 27% of its products out of stock across Spain, with unavailability rates at Dia and el Corte Ingles’s Hipercor both standing at 13%. On top of this many people are unable to get delivery slots, with waits of a week or more common, reported OCU. On various visits to Mercadona supermarket over the last month, the Olive Press has noted numerous empty shelves (see above).
Are you being conned? Price controls had to be brought in after speculators were bumping up the price of basic masks and alcohol-based hand cleaning gels by mark-ups of up to 1000%. Numerous Olive Press readers reported having to pay over €10 for a pack of three to five simple masks at pharmacies along the Costa del Sol. Yet a state bulletin last month insisted that the price of masks had to be capped at 96 cents.
7
We can wave goodbye to any hopes of a Costa Blanca season
BENIDORM hotel bosses fear a ‘disaster’ could hit the city if British tourists are asked to isolate for 14 days on their return to the UK. Toni Mayor, president of the Costa Blanca hotel association Hosbec, said the news would be a ‘body blow’ for UK tourism. “I don’t see international holiday flights to Spain resuming until July at the earliest,” he said in a statement. "If the quarantine were brought in and was still in place by July and August, we can wave goodbye to any hopes of British tourists returning to the Costa Blanca this summer. "For places like Benidorm that depend so heavily on UK tourists, it would be a disaster.” The pandemic could also curtail the holiday plans of the over60s, after travel insurers changed the wording of policies. Many firms stopped selling travel insurance in March, before now re-
By James Stuart, of the Califa Group, in Vejer de la Frontera, Cadiz, opening some businesses in May
introducing policies that exclude claims By Toni Mayor, relating to Covid-19 president of the as it is considered a Costa blanca hotel ‘known event’. This association, based in means trips booked Benidorm from now are unlikely to be covered by insurance if the holidaymaker changes their mind – a problem for OAPs most at risk from the virus and most likely to decide to cancel if there was any kind of second wave. Paul Charles, of travel consultancy The PC Agency, said: "Anyone over 60 will be reluctant to travel until there is a vaccine in mass production, at least one year away." Any insurance which does cover the virus is likely to be very expensive, he said.
We hope to get 75% of summer trade
actually told the staff to carry on taking bookings from March 29 and adjusted the website so that we would still be able HIS year promised to be a record to get the best of the very important Seyear for most of us in the hospitality mana Santa trade. Almost two months later we are still in trade in Andalucía. With strong bookings from both the quarantine with none of my ten hotels or international and the Spanish market restaurants reopened yet! confidence had finally returned to our If business has taught me anything it is good to be optimistic when building a sector. When the coronavirus lockdown hit us I business, but when financial planning comes to mind pessimistic is more realistic. Of course I’d forgotten this rule, the great crash of 2008 and the long recession afterwards seemingly a long way back. Like most businesses in our sector the winters are spent reforming our installations. We were also just a few weeks away from finishing a stunning new Hammam. All this work soaks up cash but hoteliers and restaurateurs in Andalucía have very reliable indicators and in normal years month on month revenues almost always creep upwards giving us MISSING OUT: strong confidence Local famer in in forecasting inRonda come. That has now gone out of the window and every tourist These are defined by the government as a “facial piece covering the business in Andamouth, nose and chin, which is fitted with a head harness and which lucía has crashed, meets the requirements of various technical specifications. with some sadly Meanwhile, the cost of alcohol gels should now be no more than 2.5 likely to find it difficents a millilitre when sold in bottles up to 150ml and 2.1 cents for cult to recover. containers from 151ml to 300ml. So a 100ml bottle should cost no Stable businesses more than €2.50 and a 300ml bottle a maximum of €6.30. with a strong and loyal clientele and a secure hold on Now for the good news… their market share will certainly recover but will also ladFOR those returning to work over the next en with debt. week or two, the good news is that petrol The governments is at its cheapest for a decade. ICO-funded low inDue to a global collapse in demand, on May 10, terest loans have the average price for 95 grade petrol in Spain gone a long way stood at €1.08 per litre and diesel had dropped to help keep busibelow the €1 mark to 98.3 cents. nesses afloat howThese compare to historical highs of €1.52 for petrol and €1.45 ever this ‘cheap for diesel in January. money’ always But prices depend on where you buy it and who from. comes at a price On May 7, the average price of fuel at a BP station stood at and next year will €1.14 and €1.06 for petrol and diesel respectively, for example. see many busiPrevious lows in the past 10 years were in August 2016, when nesses struggling diesel fell to €1.001. to repay their loans According to the European Union's Oil Bulletin, the price of pe- and creditors won’t be quite as trol has fallen this year by 16.06% and that of diesel by 18.04%. lenient as they are Curiously the price of cooking gas in bombonas has stayed now. roughly the same for the last four months. So to recap: 2020 will be difficult, but
T
the shock waves will follow us right the way through into 2021. FOOTNOTE: Technically we could be opening our hotels and the restaurants at a 50% capacity this week. It would be good news if we had any clients. But we don’t. The incongruity of the new regulations means we can open our businesses but with no free movement of potential guests across province boundaries the whole thing is utterly pointless. Bookings I am happy to say are relatively strong for July and August however we are well aware that the entire summer could be written off very quickly with a resurgence in COVID cases. However on an optimistic note revenues for the hotel and restaurant trade should be between 65-75% of last year for July and August but only for the businesses that focus 100% on the national market (including foreigners living here). This is not a time to step back, it is time to stride out with bold measures so that potential guests can see that an effort has been made in cleaning and safety not just for clients but also for staff. We will be opening when movement between provinces is allowed and we see happy, confident people walking the streets looking for a cool glass of manzanilla under a palm tree. We hope it’s soon - almost certainly this month - and life might just seem a bit more normal again.
Olive Press online ‘Spain’s best English news website’
You read it here first! WITH a team of 20-plus writers and journalists, you expect to break the odd few story. The Olive Press has been been finding and standing up exclusives around Spain for 14 years - and had literally hundreds followed up around the world. This month is no exception with our front page interview with the brave mother of tragic Ashya King (right), leading to NOT one, but TWO big shows back home in the UK, one in the Sun and the other a double page spread for editor Jon Clarke in the Mail on Sunday.
I
HOPE we will be half full this summer, ignoring Boris Johnson’s crazy quarantine idea, which is unworkable, given he’s letting the French and the Irish in. That said, so many of our clients are Irish, British and northern European, it does mean the planes have to fly. But they are looking at loosening borders around the Schengen area and Mallorca and Germany are already talking about a deal, plus KLM is now flying to Barcelona and Madrid and Ryanair has announced it will fly to the Costa del Sol again in July. We had been looking at a record year for the hotel, but it is definitely going to be a very difficult one now, in particular for the staff who number over 150. It is going to be a very slow resumption of business from June 6 with a skeleton staff and the government simply cannot expect hotels to suddenly open if they haven’t got clients. Prices will be cheaper as we can’t offer the normal service in terms of entertainment and shows, etc, but I hope that we’ll get 50% occupancy at least in July and August. Once the country is open the Spanish will be clamouring for the coasts, which are far cooler and that should help a fair bit. It is a vital step for the local market which is at least 30 to 40% reliant on tourism, perhaps over 50% in places like Benalmadena and Fuengirola. I just hope common sense prevails and if people take the right safety measures they will be fine to travel.
FREE
A taste of freedom
MALLORCA
Your expat
voice in Spain
Vol. 3 Issue 79 www.theolivepress.es May 1st - May 14th, 2020
This is not Armageddon! EX CL US IV E
IT was a taste of what’s to come for parents and children at the weekend. Mothers and sons, dads and daughters headed out to take the air, pick wild flowers or stroll on beaches around Palma. On bikes, scooters, skateboards, roller skates or just
Expat restaurateurs welcome four-step pla fear huge losses despite being able to open
Mother of cancer victim Ashya King tells the Olive Press why she has left the Jehovah’s Witnesses and wants to move back to Spain with her family
See a mother’s moving interview on pages 6-7
A WAVE of uncertainty has descended across Mallorca after Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez revealed his four-step de-escalation plan to get life back to ‘a new normal’ after a week of positive COVID-19 results. As long as the rate of infections continues to drop, restaurant terraces will be allowed to open with a 30% capacity, as well as hotels and other tourist accommodation on May 11. Some two weeks later, restaurant dining rooms can once again welcome clients, while cinemas, theatres and museums will follow suit, albeit in a limited capacity with strict separation rules.
BRAIN LAD’S PA RENTS SPLIT TRAVEL 6I couldn’ INSURANCE 1GM
rejected
Raids trio get 17 yrs
Meanwhile, last month our continuing investigation into Jodie Smart and Continental Wealth Management (CWM), made further headlines in both the Daily Mail and in a BBC documentary.
Naghmeh and
Brett King sparked 5000 96 626 a 2014 after taking their manhunt son, then 699082 +44 five, (0) out 1353 of a UK hospital
advice. They could therapy on the not get proton NHS and were arrested after ing to Malaga. fleeThe couple, both practising vahs at the Jehotime, were briefly jailed. Ashya, ten, has now made an “amazing” recovery. Love . . Naghmeh, But Naghmeh, Ashya. Left, family 50, with Sun, 2015 has revealed left Brett, 56, she their seven kidsand in Milton Bucks, and Keynes, headed to their home days holiday the travel banbefore was enforced last month. And she said that Jehovahs were ing coronavirusbrand“Armageddon”. an children back. just want my before I She being want explained: them released ‘“My kids are come over and to at home and live with me efforts to extradite them when rified this is Armageddon ter- here in Spain to the UK were abandoned. and I have been I am stuck here while looking at bigger In 2016, two homes to rent.” “The Jehovah’s in Spain. Ashya had start of Ashya’s years after the been Witnesses say with coronavirus is treatment, a medulloblasto diagnosed NHS decided ma which it would pay the prophesied by the great plague was successfully for God and they surgeons removed by children with brain cancer will only be saved to if their belief July 2014. in Southampton in travel abroad for proton in Jehovah is therapy. beam strong enough.” Admitting her He had a further In 2018, MRI marriage is on his scans conducted the rocks, Naghmeh brain soon after.operation on in Southampton added: “I couldn’t deal showed Ashya But to help prevent to be free of with it and came cancer. a return out at the beginning of the tumour, Speaking from his parents of March. wanted him her lockdown “I told them home, to I would isolate here therapy — whichbe given proton although Naghmeh added that where I willself- not Ashya is doing safe. Brett said be provide at the the NHS did still well he suffers he didn’t want time. with me to leave The profound Kings disabilities took him to Spain — and she couldn’t take the house but I but were arrested it at the request he would benefit frombelieves of She added: anymore.” living “I’m definitely heldthe British authorities and in Spain. happier now in Madrid’s Soto She added: I’ve Del Real properly “He can’t write prison. “I feel free and left. have got more yet, his hand time to think The couple were shakes, but he is and study. Now I jail for more thankept in the do sums.” starting to read and 24 hours rachel.dale@th e-sun.co.uk
Left hubby in row over armageddon
Killer bug bee fears
THREE burglars have been jailed for 17 years after a total of night raids on admitting the elderly in sheltered housing. They even stole mobiles so the pensioners could not call for help around last Christmas in Buckinghamshire, Aylesbury crown court heard. One victim was aged 97. Kristopher Barfoot, 36, of no fixed address, got six years, eight months; Ben Tompkins, 36, of Milton Keynes, six years; and Aaron Tompkins, 32, of no fixed address, four years and four months.
EXCLUSIVE by RACHEL and JON CLARKE DALE
Spanish THE for mum of brain cancerresidents survivor Ashya King is stuck in down Spain afterlockedwww.globelink.co.uk splitting from her Jehovah’s Witness husband. against doctors’
By MIKE SULLIVAN
TEACHER Gordon Park was responsible for the “Lady in the ing of his wife,Lake” killof Appeal ruled the Court yesterday. His three children tried to posthumously overturn his conviction for the 1976 murder of mum Carol. Judges said “no doubt’’ aboutthey had ty and rejected its safeThe son and their bid. daughters said the judgment “marks the end of our fight”. Park hanged jail on his 66thhimself in birthday in 2010 after to overturn hisa failed bid Teacher Carol,conviction. 30, vanished from the family home in Barrow-in-Fu rness, Cumbria, when the marriage was in trouble. Divers found her weighted-down body in Coniston Water, Lake District, in 1997. convicted in 2005.Park was
ASHYA’S MUM FLEES TO SPAIN
10-PINT FATAL FALL
A MAN who night out was drank ten pints on a and found dead morning in a the next last diabetes at the time of garden, an inquest his death December. John Downey, heard. Mr Downey, with a pal who 66, had been boozing from Cheltenham, also over a wall and did not see him fall had an enlarged heart and the liver, Gloucestershire cirrhosis of He had sufferedland in a 3ft ditch. court was told. coroner’s no injuries on medication Heart disease for high blood but was diabetes was and pressure alcohol blamed, rather toxicity. Verdict: than Natural causes.
Sun
BRITISH Bruce Springsteen Hungry Heartfan club raise £10,000 hopes to for charity by streaming hours of non-stop 24 by the US rocker hits into people’s homes today.
SPOT
A&E BURN THREAT
A WOMAN threatened to burn down hospital and a would kill her,told a care assistant she arms and trying to take but once there her Abigail Forder,a court heard. began ranting own life Winchester crown 24, waved a lighter at staff, the air with court heard. in Forder, of terrified A&E oxygen tanks nearby as Basingstoke, staff looked on. threatening admitted She had been and damage, plusviolence admitted to hospital criminal Basingstoke, unrelated charges in Hants, after of cutting her attempted robbery and witness dation. She was intimijailed for 50 months.
And yesterday editor Jon Clarke was drafted in to Sky News to give his opinions on the nightmare summer about to unfurl for many expat businesses And over the last six months, the Mail ran our story about an English couple in a mysterious house blaze in Sotogrande, a Brexit protest in La Linea, while the Sun followed up our series of excellent exclusives on the floods in the Costa Blanca
Here are the top five most read stories on www.theolivepress.es in the past two weeks: Air cancels its flights from Spain’s Tenerife to 1- Wizz London Luton on the day they were supposed to restart (52,442 visitors) beach disinfected with BLEACH near 2- Outrage asSpain’s Costa del Sol (31,098) Spain will lift coronavirus restrictions 3- BREAKING: in FOUR phases with islands given a head start (31,026) Officials in Germany say there will be NO holidays to 4-Spain this year in multi-million euro blow to Balearic Islands’ tourism sector (27,374) Air completes first flights connecting Spain’s 5- WizzCanary Islands to London Luton (19,981)
Get in touch today at sales@theolivepress.es or call us at 00 34 951273575 for a special quote
By Isha Sesay in Palma
However, despite business-owners being told they can potentially resume activity this month, with more restrictions lifted by June, many are feeling wholly dubious about how viable reopening will be without an international market. Although retaining a healthy all-yearround population, Mallorca relies heavily on tourism and winter incomes are complemented by significant profits over the summer. The Mallorca Hotel Business Federation and the Hotel Chain Association have branded the government’s plans to reopen establishments as completely ‘unfeasible,’ claiming that it provides a ‘false impression of returning to a new normality.’ “The de-escalation plan has been reand asSaturday, May 2, ceived with disappointment 2020 tonishment, ............... 25and shows the profound ignorance of the government towards tourism and business in the Balearic Islands,” said the associations in a joint statement. Stressing the need to implement protocols such as mass COVID-19 testing, the organisation believes the focus should not be on resuming activity without a client base. This view was echoed by James Hiscock, a British expat who owns the renowned Son Ametler Hotel in the foothills of the Serra de Tramuntana mountains. Stating the need to roll out a European health passport, he told the Ol-
UK BASED
HONEYBEES wiped out by are being a mystery disease that is sweeping Britain, researchers say. Chronic Bee Paralysis Virus causes trembling of the wings and body and jumpiness, stopping It can contribute flight. death of a whole to the colony, with infected within a week.bees dying It has spread most of England across and Wales in ten has also been years and identified in Scotland. Experts say it is being fuelled by queen bees fromimporting Europe.
shanks pony, they m corners and in parks, Even better, from this exercise, as long as And, fingers crossed,
BITTE SWEE
t take it any ‘Lady in more..I’m the Lake’ appeal is happier now7 Wife killer . . . Park
If planes fly we’ll be fine, I hope Mark Wardell, Manager of Sunset Beach hotel, Benalmadena, which opens on June 6
OLIVE PRESS
The
air - minus the planes!
Photos by Jon Clarke
www.theolivepress.es
8
NEWS
www.theolivepress.es
PPE glee
Reporters Simon Wade and Joshua Parfitt
Your reporters, on the Costa Blanca Contact them with any stories or news on 951 273 575 or email newsdesk@theolivepress.es
RAFAL Running Sports Club has donated 2,000 surgical gowns to the Vega Baja Hospital after raising €7,000 in its ‘24hour Rafal Charity Challenge’ in April. The club thanked all runners, saying: “We cannot fail to thank all the participants who made our challenge an unforgettable day for our region.”
Big love A COMMUNITY radio station is offering FREE advertising to help the region’s business community in a post lockdown world.
With so few companies struggling to pay for stock or staff wages, let alone a new advertising campaign, Big Radio Spain, in Ciudad Quesada, has
Clean up at last
The
COSTA BLANCA SOUTH
Your
expat
voice in Spain
For all your local advertising needs please contact our Sales Manager Charles Bamber 0034 661 452 180 charles@theolivepress.es
Popular radio station offering businesses free adverts stepped up. Richie Sparks, station manager, said it’s all part of the company’s community ethos. “We’re an intrinsic part of life in this region,” the 55-year-old told the Olive Press, “and that includes the business owners who have struggled through lockdown.” An extensive business directory will be published on the station’s website, with random advertisers also promoted on air during de-escalation.
Celebrations
(Personal contacts p6)
OLIVE PRESS
May 14 th - May 27th 2020
NINE months after storms and floods devastated huge areas of the Costa Blanca, one of the area’s main flood defences is being built. Some €44,000 is to be invested next month on the Rambla de Cabo Roig in Orihuela Costa. The month-long project has been demanded by locals for years due to
the continuing deterioration – worsened considerably by September’s floods. Most of the work is clearing tonnes of debris that have blocked the flow of water, making flooding likely in stormy months and fires almost inevitable in the summer. All collapsed trees, stumps, brush, debris and rubbish will be removed.
Despite suffering a significant drop in clients, Big Radio has continued to broadcast across the Costa Blanca, giving hourly updates on the coronavirus pandemic and providing a mix of music for all tastes. Ex-military man Sparks, from Camborne in Cornwall, continued: “We’ve had so much support from listeners and businesses over the years, it’s the least we can do. “It’s been such a difficult period, even ‘Phase 1’ feels like a party, and who – apart from a radio station – would you trust to kick off the celebrations?” If you have a business in the Costa Blanca that would benefit from this free service, please click here or call Richie Sparks at Big Radio Spain on 965 997 222.
Rescue challengE TAKING care of 120 horses in the lockdown is proving quite a challenge for the founders of one of the region’s top animal charities. The feeding, in particular, is a major challenge for the Easy Horse Care Rescue Centre, in Rojales, which had only just got over the financial problems caused by September’s flooding when COVID hit. With a shortage of volunteers, Rod and Sue Weeding, 70 and 64, are struggling to cope. Meanwhile popular open days are suspended, charity events are cancelled and animal feed is in limited supply. “It is not looking good for the foreseeable future,” Rod told the Olive Press this week.
Flood cash trickles in SCORES of victims affected by the gota fria in September are starting to receive compensation from the Valencian Government. This week, almost €200,000 has been paid to 84 families who lost belongings and had property damaged. So far, €11.5 million euros in aid has been awarded, after almost 8,500 applications were processed. Following the disaster, the regional government promised payments of between €1500 and €4500 to victims that had applications approved.
LA CULTURA
9
May 14th - May 27th 2020
Seeing red
ANCIENT: Gold mask
Fool’s gold
SPANISH police have recovered a priceless ancient gold mask that was illegally exported from Colombia. Policia Nacional, working with colleagues from Colombia, recovered the stunning Tumaco gold art-piece at Madrid’s Barajas airport. It was part of a shipment which included several extremely rare pre-Columbian gold figurines and jewellery illegally plundered from archaeological sites in Colombia. Three traffickers were arrested in Spain and the Colombian authorities carried out house searches in Bogota, resulting in the seizure of another 242 pre-Columbian objects, the largest ever seizure in the country’s history.
Lights, corona, action! THE Ministry of Culture has unveiled a raft of film funding for often-overlooked groups in the wake of the coronavirus crisis. Female-directed movies are set to receive grants for 75% of production costs, compared to 50% for male filmmakers. Meanwhile handouts for 80% of costs are available for shorts, feature films that don’t exceed a €1.5 million budget, bilingual works or those with a disabled screenwriter. Documentaries and animated films are also in-line for 75% grants, while European and American co-productions can get 60% of their costs covered.
Former glory A JOINT venture has won a lucrative tender to restore an ancient Roman villa on the Costa del Sol. Work is set to begin on the 3rd century Torre de Benagalbon in the Axarquia this month. The ‘Site of Cultural Interest’ located near the sea beside two streams, near the village of Benalgalbon, is to be turned into a museum to visit by the summer it is hoped. The companies Copesol and Obras Generales del Norte won the tender by coming in some €263,000 under the budget of €1mlllion. They have beaten six other bids for the public tender, whose decision was postponed due to the coronavirus crisis.
Bullfighting in Spain facing €700 million in losses as activists pounce on ‘chance’ to eradicate the controversial sport
MORE than 100,000 people have signed a petition against a bail out of the struggling bullfighting industry. The AnimaNaturalis.org claims the government is set to give economic support to the industry ailing under the Coronavirus crisis. It says the sector has requested an emergency meeting with Minister of Culture, Jose Manuel Rodriguez Uribe, to garner help, after over 200 bull-
ICONIC: Sagrada
Tools still down CLOSING IN: Spain’s controversial bloodsport could finally be dying a death By Joshua Parfitt
fights were cancelled this year so far. The loss of the events, plus the 1,684 fiestas so far also cancelled will be a ‘severe blow’ to the controversial sport. Iconic torero Cayetano Rivera, from Ronda, insisted ‘the
sector is – and will be – one of the most affected by the dramatic situation that we’re living through’. “We can’t forget the many people and families who depend, either directly or indirectly, on the bullfighting world to live,” he added. Bull breeder Victorino Martin
Forget Brexit, here’s your Velazquez A BRITISH-run art restoration group are attempting to bring back to Sevilla one of the most interesting examples of Spanish-British relations. The Factum Arte group are in talks with the Duke of Wellington’s estate to access a Diego Velazquez original
that was gifted to the British after they kicked Napoleon’s brother out of Spain in 1813. Factum Arte plan to put a copy of The Waterseller of Seville, currently in Apsley House, London, in a new museum being built in Velazquez’s childhood home.
added that the crisis came ‘at the worst possible moment’ and estimates a loss of at least €700m for the industry. He added that various breeders were slaughtering their animals, claiming in one week alone some 400 bulls were killed. But, despite this, not everyone agrees with the animal rights petition now set to be sent to Madrid this week. Aida Gascon of AnimaNaturalis, behind the petition, said: “What we’re looking for is the total abolition of this practice of torturing animals as a form of spectacle. “One way to do that is to choke off their subsidies … it wouldn’t get rid of the industry completely but it would reduce it to 5% or 10% of what we have today.”
LA Sagrada Familia will not restart construction until the cathedral reopens its doors to visitors, it has been announced. The landmark, which forms part of a UNESCO World Heritage site, stopped all building as Spain’s state of alarm was declared on March 14. It is the first time work on the Gaudi’s Art Nouveau-Gothic masterpiece has been halted since the Spanish Civil War. This year was to be a decisive one for the Barcelona basilica’s completion, with significant work planned for the central towers. La Sagrada Familia could start welcoming visitors from June during the latter phases of Spain’s deescalation, although this is yet to be confirmed. Of the €103 million the site generated last year, €55 million of that was spent on construction.
LA CULTURA
10
May 14th - May 27th 2020
All the frills of the feria
Feria season may be cancelled but you can still give Andalucia’s famous flouncy frocks an outing as we move into Phase One of lockdown lift, suggests Cristina Hodgson
N
O fashion statement says Andalucia quite like the traje de flamenca. And NEVER has there been a greater need to brighten our lives with a flurry of frills
ELEGANT: Lady Amelia Windsor (left) and actresss Lucia Bedoya
THE FLIRTY LANGUAGE OF FANS The first abanico in Spain dates back to 1802 and it has its own secret Morse Code. Here are some moves, and their meanings, you can try out on that bar terrace or at home to impress your select group of 10 family members and friends:
Open fan over the chest showing the design: “Yes” Open fan over the chest showing the back: “No” Open fan covering one cheek: “I like you” Wave fan very fast: “I really like you” Wave fan very slowly: “I am not interested” Open fan covering your nose: “I want to see you” Open fan covering your chin: “I want to talk to you” Closed fan near the heart: “I love you” Open fan placed over lips: “Kiss me” Close fan waving: “I am thinking about it” Hit close fan against hand: “Leave me alone” Open and close the fan: “I am upset” Open fan waving energetically on one side: “Don’t come now, other people around”
DID YOU KNOW?
and flounces in sunshine yellow, sky blue and hibiscus red. Coronavirus has KO’d traditional summer ferias but there’s no reason to keep your outfit in mothballs this year. And with bars and restaurants opening their terraces at 50% capacity in some provinces from May 10, there’ll be plenty of space to wear one without tripping up the waiters. The style that has been turning heads for centuries has even been adopted by royals and celebrities - remember Princess Diana’s flamenco-inspired strapless gown on her 1987 tour of Spain, cheekily worn with one long scarlet glove and one long black glove? It has also become the global emblem for partying through the Dancer Emoji of the iOS keyboard, who flaunts a characteristic red frilly number. But the gypsy dress that has crossed borders comes from more humble origins. Its roots are in Sevilla where the peasants and gypsy women of the late 19th and early 20th centuries wore robes with ruffled hems to do the household chores. In friendly one-upmanship they began adding embroidery and colours to their gowns, embellishments that did not go unnoticed by the women of high society. Especially in 1847 when the gypsies of Sevilla started wearing them to the Feria de Abril, originally a cattle fair which, over time, has become one of Spain’s most iconic social events of the year.
Dazzling
It set a new trend and from 1929 onwards the traje de flamenca became the ‘official’ dress for every town’s feria, spreading beyond the borders of Andalucia at a time when professional flamenco dancers also adopted the outfit as their own. The version used by the pros has a specially adapted train (bata) which emphasises the movements of the ‘bailaora’ (dancer). Other styles evolved, such as the so-called ‘guitar body’ which follows the shape of this musical instrument to highlight the shapely curves of the woman - a look sported by the likes of Jackie Kennedy and Grace Kelly. Sofia Vergara, voted the most elegant Latina in the United States, is a long-time devotee of ‘guitar-body’ dresses, frequently flaunting her hourglass figure in passionate scarlet. And just last year, the Netherlands royal family added some blue-blooded flamenco flair to Sevilla’s April Fair, with Queen Maxima in electric blue, worn with a hot pink shawl, and her daughters in dazzling yellow and turquoise. Katy Perry wowed the crowds in a flamenco-inspired gown at the amfAR Gala in 2016, while Nina Dobrev looked devastating in a strapless crimson traje de flamenco at 2011’s Emmy Awards. Meanwhile Lady Amelia Windsor, granddaughter of the Queen’s first cousin, sported a floral flamenco dress at a fashion shoot for Penelope Chilvers boots in El Rocio, the famous finishing point for Huelva’s muddy feria pilgrimage where boots are de rigeur. Many brides also opt for a flamenco-inspired dress for their wedding day, and not only those related to the world of bullfighting and canto. Raquel Mauri, wife of Barça soccer player Ivan Rakitić, wore this classic style for her wedding in Sevilla. To the casual eye, flamenco dresses may look similar, but the styles subtly change every year and custom-made flamenco dresses are considered an important status symbol. Colour-coordinated hoop earrings, hair combs, flower clips and tasselled shawls are also very much in evidence. Maybe this year, who knows, we’ll see matching fabric face masks too? And did you know? They have their own entire language (see box, left).
HEALTH Paws for thought
SPAIN has registered its first feline victim of COVID-19. Negrito, a four-year-old cat in Catalunya, caught the disease after its owner died from the virus. It is the sixth cat in the world reported to have caught COVID-19. The cat had to be euthanised after suffering severe heart disease, reported La Vanguardia. “He is a collateral victim of the disease in humans,” said Joaquim Segales, a researcher at the Centre for Research in Animal Health (CReSA).
First feline death in Spain as Catalan cat catches COVID
Negrito had one of the most common heart diseases in cats, which is usually genetic. He was taken to a veterinary hospital with breathing difficulties, a temperature of 38.2C, low blood platelet levels and heart failure. After he was put down, vets sent the body to CReSA to be analysed. It was there that experts discovered the RNA of COVID-19 in samples taken from Negrito’s nose and
LOCKDOWN’S devastating impact on the mental health and abuse of children has been laid bare, following a spike in emergency calls. From March 23 to May 3 there was an 11.6% rise in the proportion of youngsters reporting violence at home. Leading non-profit organisation the ANAR Foundation (Ayuda a Niños y Adolescentes) received 1,441 cries for help from kids during this period. Around 47.7% of these were for violence, the group said, compared to 36.1% for the previous month and a half. Psychological issues (including anxiety, sad-
digestive tract. “The viral load was low and none of the lesions he presented were compatible with the virus,” added Segales, “The cat was already suffering from cardiomyopathy and later became infected with COVID-19.”
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May 14th - May 27th 2020
Eye on the over 65’s
test positive for coronavirus. Eight lions and tigers also tested positive at the Bronx Zoo in New York. Most of the animals showed mild symptoms of respiratory disease and have recovered without problems. Natalia Majo, director of the CReSA, said: “The possibility that a person infects a cat is extremely low.”
IT has been a long time in coming. Now Specsavers Opticas has reopened all nine of their Spanish stores, with customers’ safety being made as important as their eye-care. Measures in place include social distancing and telephone bookings, with priority given to those over 65s. Protective clothing will be worn by all staff and all testing equipment and frames will be thoroughly sanitized before and after handling. Store director Nerea Galdos-Little said: ‘We are absolutely committed to making sure that everyone is taken care of in the best possible way, both in the test rooms and in the rest of the store.” “During tests, our staff will be wearing face masks, so even though they’ll be pleased to see you, you may not be able to see their smiles,” she quipped. ‘Our number one priority is the safety and wellbeing of all our customers and colleagues, so every measure that we have taken is designed to put safety first.’ Store locations and booking information can be found at www.specsavers.es
Disease
Five other cats around the world have been known to
Breaking point ness and self-harm) make up 23.5% of reports to ANAR. Suicidal thoughts and attempts have made up 8.3% of calls during the crisis, compared to just 1.9% on average throughout 2019. An ANAR spokesperson said: “Without a doubt, these psychological problems should make us think about the despair which many children and adolescents are experiencing.” For more information visit anar.org
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LETTERS
May 14th - May 27th 2020 Check out our issues online at www.theolivepress.es
Dear Olive Press,
Mallorca Issue 79 MALLORCA
The
While welcoming the Junta call for the lockdown to be eased in the pueblos that have come this far through the crisis virus-free I have some misgivings. As a resident of a pueblo of 150 people in Los rigorously to lockFilabres that LEAVERS: Triohas adhered e, the following are virus-fre remains and down of Brits in Spain my concerns:
A taste of freedom
OLIVE PRESS
Your expat
voice in Spain
May 1st - May 14th, 2020 Vol. 3 Issue 79 www.theolivepress.es
FREE
n! This is not Armageddo E Photos by Allan Binderup
XC LU SIV E
parents and children IT was a taste of what’s to come for at the weekend. headed out to take Mothers and sons, dads and daughters beaches around Palma. the air, pick wild flowers or stroll on roller skates or just On bikes, scooters, skateboards,
with friends on street shanks pony, they met and chatted arrest or a heavy fine. corners and in parks, without fear of will be allowed to Even better, from this weekend everyone measures are kept. exercise, as long as social distancing meant to play ball! And, fingers crossed, the weather is
BITTER SWEET
Photos by Jon Clarke
four-step plan to recovery, but Expat restaurateurs welcome able to open again in May fear huge losses despite being
Mother of cancer victim Ashya King tells the Olive Press why she has leftto the Jehovah’s Witnesses and wants move back to Spain with her family
deA WAVE of uncertainty has scended across Mallorca after Prime his Minister Pedro Sanchez revealed life four-step de-escalation plan to get of back to ‘a new normal’ after a week positive COVID-19 results. As long as the rate of infections conwill tinues to drop, restaurant terraces be allowed to open with a 30% capacity, as well as hotels and other tourist accommodation on May 11. Some two weeks later, restaurant dining rooms can once again welcome and clients, while cinemas, theatres a museums will follow suit, albeit in limited capacity with strict separation rules.
See a mother’s moving interview on pages 6-7
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not ive Press: “The government has reappreciated how much Mallorca just lies on tourism and things don’t alspring back to normal even if you However, despite business-owners low us to reopen.” and being told they can potentially resume His prognosis for this year is poorof his activity this month, with more restric- he believes reopening the doors than hotel will generate more losses tions lifted by June, many are feeling re- benefits. wholly dubious about how viable taken opening will be without an interna- For this reason, he has already until the decision to delay opening tional market. half of Although retaining a healthy all-year- 2021 – a view taken by around the hotels, according to the Confedround population, Mallorca relies in- eration of Business Associations. heavily on tourism and winter island comes are complemented by signifi- Hiscock believes opening up the to German tourists could be a catalyst cant profits over the summer. The Mallorca Hotel Business Federa- for tourism, however if Germany’s Bation and the Hotel Chain Association tourism commissioner, Thomas have branded the government’s plans reiss’ warning this week that citizens will not travel to Spain this year rings to reopen establishments as comit true, the Balearic economy is set to pletely ‘unfeasible,’ claiming that provides a ‘false impression of return- suffer even more. German tourism represents a signifiing to a new normality.’ re“The de-escalation plan has been as- cant monetary injection, constituting one third of the international marceived with disappointment and of 4.5 tonishment, and shows the profound ket for the region, with a total year ignorance of the government towards million Germans visiting lastsecond tourism and business in the Balearica and thousands more owning homes on the island. Islands,” said the associations in of Restaurateur Antonio Longobardi, is joint statement. Stressing the need to implement pro- well-known Ritzi in Portals Nous, while testing, reopening, on COVID-19 back mass as also holding tocols such the organisation believes the focus ports and airports remain closed. should not be on resuming activity “90% of our clients are from Germany so it doesn’t make sense to reopen without a client base. without anyone to cater for,” he told This view was echoed by James Histhe cock, a British expat who owns the the Olive Press. of He also criticised the inflexibility renowned Son Ametler Hotel in workfoothills of the Serra de Tramuntana the ERTE, a temporary layoff of mountains. Stating the need to roll out a EuroContinues on Page 4 Olpean health passport, he told the By Isha Sesay in Palma
Gibraltar Issue 121 for Spanish residents
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ON THE HUNT OF THE NAZI GOLD Hot on the heels of our dispatch on Canaries, we investigate the Nazi a Nazi U-boat base in the allegedly Gibraltar, shedding new Gold Trail to Madrid and, light on a shady chapter in history that has never been fully resolved. See Page 10
Unlock the Rock! By Diexter Thomas
by the public through social media FREE movement will be allowed and broadcasting. in Gibraltar from May 21 - with the lockdown to be ended in August. PHASE FOUR The Chief Minister announced the proposed ending of COVID-19 reThe fourth phase is set to start on strictions on the Rock after steerJune 16 and will see people finally ing clear of a serious pandemic able to go to bars and cafeterias. since the first case was recorded These establishments will need in to March. get a permit, much like the opening The ‘Unlock the Rock’ plan was unof restaurants in phase three. veiled on Tuesday, and will consist Picardo said he expected the bathing of four main phases, with two reon beaches to be allowed by midview stages to see if there has been June, depending on the progress of any increase in cases. the virus. The ‘Rock Unlocked’ phase could “I want to be clear that our ambibe in full effect from August tion will be to see a normal bathing 1, with over 500 emergency beds still season with normal beach going,” available in case of a relapse. Picardo revealed. Gibraltar is currently undergoing “We do not want to see any restricthe first phase of the strategy, with tions whatsoever on our ability to the second phase set to start on attend beaches, but this will require May 21. common sense from the public. The second phase will see free “You will have to pitch your tents movement re-established with mufurther away from each other than seums, exhibitions and galleries we are used to. opening again. “We will not be able to crowd But it is not good news for everyaround the shore and the best spots one. as we each like to do, this will be esChief Minister Fabian Picardo insential.” sisted that people with a BMI of 30 or above, who are older than 70 or Bathing have a weak or compromised imHe warned that if there was a spike mune system - are recommended in active COVID-19 cases, the Govto stay at home as much as possible. ernment would reserve the right “This will take effect from the 21st to ‘re-impose restrictions.’ of this month if things are progress- NEW DAWN: Locals can go out but must adhere to the rules for the Rock to be “We are considering making Europa ing well, and we see no increase completely open in Some schools, construction pool in the bathing pavilion at NASA infection rates,” explained Picardo. sites waiting list after a and long gyms 60 day hia- contact tracing app will start could also see a return in exclusively available to our elderly “We will continue to have rules to kick tus. into force, using people’s mobile citizens. about large gatherings so the law Phase 2, with the latter ‘subject to phones to alert them if they come “It will allow them to bathe without will still restrict the constitutional strict controls’. Many health services will restart PHASE THREE into contact with someone with mixing with younger members of freedom of association.” screening for patients on the GHA’s the community,” added the Chief The third phase is set to take place COVID-19. Minister. This is also the phase from June 1 will be able to eat where people Finally, phases five and six will and will see which will be limited at restaurants, serve as phases for reviewing those religious ser- pancy, but only if theyto a 50% occu- restaurants, cafes, bars and gyms have a permit vices that continue to remain closed. taking from the Department place ‘under Line Wall Road willof Health. “Assuming everything has very strict dis- closed and Chatham partially be which is a big assumption,gone well, tancing con- will be shut off as Counterguard will move to ‘Rock Unlocked’then we part of previ- phase trols’. ‘new normal’ as we head into the ous announcements auThe Govern- amount of traffic to to reduce the tumn,” said Picardo help with air UK BASED ment’s “That is the moment when we must own quality. Public transport will be be most alert of how things progcoming with bus routes ress.” seeing new timetables for It is around then that weddings and funerals will have almost normal passengers and drivers. atTheatre performances will tendance figures returned. take place behind closed for Spanish doors, but will be viewed Opinion Page 6 residents
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A taste of freedom Your expat
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Vol. 2 Issue 29 www.theolivepress.es April 30th - May 13th, 2020
This is not Armageddon!
met and chatted with friends on street corners and in parks, without fear of arrest or a heavy fine. Even better, from this weekend everyone will be allowed to exercise, as long as social distancing measures are kept. And, fingers crossed, the weather is meant to play ball!
BITTER SWEET
Photos by Mike Riley
E IV US CL IC EX P IT was a taste of what’s to come for parents and children at the weekend. Mothers and sons, dads and daughters headed out to take the air, pick wild flowers and jump in puddles around Spain. On bikes, scooters, skateboards, ller skates or just shanks pony, rothey
Think of the pueblos
• We are the most unlikely to be immune. Movement among communities therefore creates risks. As an example, many family connections with our pueblo live and work in the city of Alin Spain. tions urbanisa major other a political lly, as essentia the EU, sees Mooreand Rose meria bussed are pueblos small similar in Children The to 7). pg 325, Issue and proud, dictatorship (Leave again once thus tions conurba larger in schools states, 28 sovereign . There are d reality is the opposite being thetovirus of the likelihoo g which increasin become ly chosebeen. voluntari the UK, where including it has not yetthe transpor tedDunne would UK that believes Steve d. associate ed communis of so-far unaffect • All the resident to going I’m notfor Not so. on WTOasterms. fair better the virus. be tested a priority, ties should, and chapter quoting by page letters your down would weigh In this in, live I one the as a pueblo such into thes. looksresource Steve that or ndtime I recomme buttake verse,not physical up much specifics of any industry that he knows. That Trump should such with an EU-free dealpeople tradethat will lookUKupon get afears is trying Theretoare dealsand Trump’s the virus fromtrade to know: a haven as being you all you tellcommun itieswant their throughfor and speaks Brent Mahler such ‘havens’ labels. go toFinally, want to have willUS-first must force decision an EUA armed theyofseek. whatwary UK citizens actions,ofdestroy a number declare aretoideas of governm , theseent all levels at union. However made closer ever now andbean largto the aldea I am the smallest policy. from and not EU all ofbySpain, people specific floated rest of 2020. for the 40-plus pro-has years ofThis city, fiesta-fre est worried at the einsidious more Santa. Semana fiestas, with by done h, been the Telegrap alreadyagainst the Mail, EEC/EU paganda incompa nature very their by are ferias Fiestas, did tiWhat Sun. The Express, Times and, of course, dents many g. Toowhy social ble with was so anhe non-resi he was asked whendistancin say Murdoch apparent. danger thethe to fiestas... travel “When I go into of:glaringly lines is g along Somethin ti-EU? be saved by recan fiestas on the when notdoused Funds to the EU.” Theion I go what I say: 10 they No.gions fund in anticipat emergency in their own ent! appointm an for ask to that heofhad on is states implicati alarm. of further
Get educated
Tom Walker, Almeria
Grammatical point
Birthday girl at 100
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Your Your expat expat
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houses in one inland Sevilla town. The Iberian Ibex were seen on the roof of this house in Moron de la Frontera. While not an endangered species, the creatures are quite rare and become more active during spring as plants and food return to the mountainsides.
RECLUSIVE mountain goats have been photographed roaming empty streets and scaling
2020 2020 May 13th,19th 6th --February April 30th February 12 www.theolivepress.es 7 www.theolivepress.es 1 Issue 1 Issue Vol. Vol.
EX P CL IC US IV E
Last dance
a seA MAN is under investigation forfilmed rious disobedience after he was dancing ‘Sevillanas’ dressed as a woman in sunglasses in Alicante. for He faces a fine of up to €30,000 wearing a ‘wig’, a ‘mask’ and ‘women’s clothes’ in an attempt to hide his identity on a Santa Pola street. day But it took agents until just the next to find out his real identity and charge him.
a big celeDaughter Val told the Olive Press beachfront bration had been booked at the the big bar-garden Saxos, in Moraira, to mark day. be there Her family from the UK were to cut among the 150 guests... until COVID-19 the lights! “Everyone was coming over, but now we had to settle with the grandkids who Val, said on Zoom,” moved to Spain with husband, Roger, and mum Peggy from Cambridge in 2005. “Peggy has so many friends,” added neighbour Shirley Young, who met her 14 years ago in one of Peggy’s many coffee clubs and social circles. “I wish I could give her a hug!”
Ken Cook, Gata de Gorgos
Big cojones
Cops, neighbours and Olive Press surprise Costa Blanca expat on her 100th birthday in confinement
Peggy CORONAVIRUS may have stopped birthBloomfield from celebrating her 100th and day in style, but it didn’t stop neighbours sirens and friends from surprising her with her a ‘Feliz Cumpleaños’ sing along outside Spanish villa.
I was so pleased to see the correct spelling of the word restaurateur on your current front page (Taste of freedom, Issue 342, pg 1). Why? Because I fume when I hear morons on TV who think you just add ‘eur’ to the word restaurant. A small victory, but thanks.
EXCLUSIVE By Joshua Parfitt
Though not the blast Peggy had planned, her daughter Val passed the champers PP around thanking Teulada-Moraira leader Raul Llobell for the gift inside a surprise birthday basket. (Glasses passed around with sanitary precautions.) Personalised balloons and decorations were from the expat-run Letters R Us also hanging outside, as were the Olive Press and camera crew. Sarah Richardson, a British member of Teulada-Mo-
raira PP, was also given thanks for organising the attendance of Civil Protection. The small crowd on site sang a second chorus of Happy Birthday, in English, before ironic shouts of ‘See you down the pub later!’ brought a sparkle of laughter on Peggy’s big day. It was the least – and most – we could all do. “It’s so very nice of you all, thank you, I really appreciate it. I really do,” Peggy said before neighbours went back to their respective lockdowns.
A DRIVER will be more careful with his words after leaving his parked car in a bus lane and tempting an angry bus driver to ‘hit it if you have the balls’. He did have ‘cojones’, as they say in Spanish, and proceeded to ram into the back of the stationary white SUV in Valencia. So big were they that he shunted the car 30 yards down the road before the pair continued to argue. When police arrived the driver of the damaged car claimed he was hit by the 72 bus turning into Calle San Vicente, and had stopped to complete an insurance form. EMT has opened an investigation into the bus driver’s ‘violent behaviour’.
Something water
I just wanted to say thank you so much for all your help! Peggy had a lovely surprise and Joshua and his photographer (sorry I didn’t get his name) were brilliant! We are all very excited to see the Olive Press this week! You made a sweet lady feel very special and we will tell everyone how wonderful you are at the Olive Press - thank you!
Pauline Laverick, Torrevieja
Tony Hiom, Estepona
Public information
Bleach beach
I have had some enquiries about this. Please note that this is a measure to speed up the granting of LFOs to houses constructed WITH planning permission or those completed prior to 1975 and thus constructed under a different planning regimen to the current one (Fighting the COVID-19 crisis, Issue 342, pg 18). It is NOT applicable to houses constructed without planning permission. Maura Hillen, Albox
Tel. (+34) 96 649 18 29 info@hispaniahomes.es www.hispaniahomes.co.uk
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We have our streets in Sierra de Yeguas sprayed with bleach every week (Outrage as beach disinfected with BLEACH near Costa del Sol, Online, May 3). Even with the blinds down and the windows and doors locked, the fumes make my eyes water.
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Has anything piqued your interest in this week’s Olive Press? Have your say on the matter by emailing letters@ theolivepress.es or message us on at www.facebook.com/OlivePressNewspaper or Twitter @olivepress
Patricia M Judge, Sierra de Yeguas
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EXPAT businesses across the Costa By Joshua Parfitt, Laurence Blanca have welcomed the news they though restaurants could still be limDollimore and Jon Clarke could reopen in May following seven ited to a capacity of just 50% with weeks of stasis. ‘strict separation’ between customers. However, they remain extremely cau- continue to drop, restaurant terraces The president of the Hosteleria de will be allowed to open with a 30% España – the largest business tious about making plans until the capacity, associinternational tourist market returns. as well as hotels and other ation in Spain – insisted however that It comes after Prime Minister Pedro tourist accommodation, on May 11. the measures are ‘unviable’. Sanchez revealed his four-step ‘de-es- Some two weeks later, restaurant “The hospitality industry cannot open dining calation’ plan last night after a week of while rooms can open for business, under these conditions,” said Jose positive COVID-19 data. cinemas, theatres and museums Luiz Yzuel, who represents 270,000 will follow suit. He insisted that life will return to restaurants and hotels. ‘new normal’ by June, with restau-a Cultural events such as weddings will “Opening up a restaurant, rants, hotels and businesses allowed be able to take place with a capacity the toilets, and all the work cleaning that goes to gradually open throughout May of up to 400 people outdoors and into reviving an establishment, to 50 indoors. - albeit at heavily reduced capacities. then just attend 30% of As long as the numbers of infections By early June, it is envisaged that will not earn enough for outside tables even the elecmore restrictions will be lifted, al- tricity bill.” He called it a genuine ‘wind-up’ that the government was sticking to a Royal Decree clause requiring businesses not to fire anyone for six months after reopening. He criticised the inflexibility of UK BASED the ERTE, or temporary layoff mechanism that does not allow a progressive re-employment of staff. “If the government wants us to re-open, then listen to us, and for Spanish take measures that mean we can stay alive.” residents Steve Jasper, owner of popular Father Ted bar, in Moraira, said www.globelink.co.uk the regulations lacked ‘clarificaSALES & RENTALS SPECIALISTS tion’ on conditions under which bars can open. Moriara•Calpe•Jalon•Javea•Denia•Altea “The requirements need to be 96 626 5000 clear so they can be implement+44 (0) 1353 699082 www.moraira-hamiltons.net
See a mother’s moving interview on pages 6-7
the
My apartment is 150 metres from the beach at Benamara-Saladillo, Estepona and I understand that ‘my group’ (the over 70s) can now access the beach for exercise, walking and jogging from 10-12am and 7-8pm. However, I believe bathing in the sea is prohibited and cannot understand why that should be. What is the reasoning behind this restriction? Do the authorities consider our inshore waters contain faecal matter which could pass on the COVID-19 virus?
Expat restaurateurs welcome fear huge losses despite being four-step plan to recovery, but able to open again in May
Mother of cancer victim Ashya King tells Olive Press why she has left the Jehovah’s Witnesses and wants to move back to Spain with her family
in
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FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL
Ready, steady, cook!
World’s top 50 kitchens launch e-cookbook to support restaurants left reeling amid pandemic IF you are a foodie with nothing to do during lockdown, now is your chance to compare
your cooking and mixology talents with the very best. The organisation behind the 50
Castaway cooking By Yianni and Sophie
Gorgeous Gazpacho F W
OR the last two months they have been holed up in Granada following a coronavirus travel nightmare (Into the frying pan, Issue 340, March 16). But now British couple Yianni Papoutsis, 44 and Sophie O’Hara, 26, have turned lockdown into a culi-
HO knew this rich chilled red soup started out white with no tomato content at all. Gazpacho has its origins in a simple soup of olive oil, bread, garlic and water eaten by the Greeks and Romans. We have the Moors to thank for refining it when tomatoes were brought back from
NO FRILLS: Victor Arguinzoniz of Asador Etxebarri, Spain’s best and world’s third best restaurant Best awards – won seven times Can Roca – wants people to in 18 years by Spanish restau- join a social media-based conrants El Bulli and El Celler de test called #50BestRateMyPlate. Open to anyone across the globe, they want home cooks and aspiring bartenders to prepare dishes and cocktails inspired by the downloadable Home Comforts recipe book. It will feature recipes from world-renowned chefs and cocktail specialists, and aims to pass on tips and ideas to food and drinks enthusiasts. People downloading the cook book will be asked for a donation to the organisation’s recovery fund, which will be used to help restaurants get back on their feet when the lockdown crisis is over. William Drew, Director of Content for 50 Best, said: “50 Best has long been about more than just rankings. Through its lists, awards, live events and content, it has helped build an international community around food and drink.”
When life gives you squishy tomatoes during lockdown, make Spain’s signature summer soup!
nary showdown. To continue their new series of quarantine recipes for the Olive Press, the pair show us their fresh twist on the country’s most famous soup. Stay tuned for more and check out their blog @ nice.olation on Instagram.
the New World in the early 16th century, and they threw in a few almonds too. It's a great way to use up stale bread and soggy tomatoes which might otherwise be destined for the bin. It freezes really well and you can go wild with the extra bits for toppings: now’s the time to dig out
any jars of gherkins, beetroot and pickled onions gathering dust at the back of the cupboard. Best enjoyed in the glaring sunshine with an ice cold glass of manzanilla, you can even use the leftovers for pasta sauce - or add a slug of vodka for the healthiest, tastiest Bloody Mary you'll ever try.
Serves 8 (starter) or 4 (main course) Method: Ingredients: ●● 80 g stale crusty bread (if yours is fresher, dry it out in the oven) ●● 800 g ripe tomatoes (a mix of varieties, colours and sizes is best) ●● 1 red pepper ●● 1 green pepper ●● 1 cucumber ●● 1 jalapeño pepper (or other mild chilli pepper) optional ●● 3 large cloves garlic ●● 100 ml olive oil ●● 2 1/2 tbsp sherry vinegar (or red wine vinegar) ●● Salt and pepper to taste ●● 6 ice cubes A selection of the following toppings: ●● 100g feta, crumbled ●● 1/2 an avocado, diced ●● 4-8 grapes, cut in half ●● 1 shallot, diced ●● 1 handful toasted almond shavings ●● 1 green spring onion, sliced ●● 1 handful of torn mint leaves
Step 1: Soak the stale bread in water for 10-15 minutes. Step 2: Set aside one third of the tomatoes, red and green peppers, cucumber and jalapeño. Roughly chop the remaining two thirds with garlic cloves and blend using a food processor or stick blender. Step 3: Squeeze the excess water out of the soggy bread with your hands and add it to the mixture. Pour in the oil and vinegar then blend until smooth. If your oil is extra virgin it can taste bitter so add it slowly, tasting as you go; sometimes it helps to add a pinch of sugar. Season to taste, then let it rest in the fridge for half an hour to chill. Step 4: Push the mixture through a sieve, then discard what's left retaining the liquid. Toss in the ice cubes and return to the fridge for a minimum of half an hour. Step 5: Finely dice the reserved tomatoes, peppers, cucumber and jalapeño and place a handful in the centre of each bowl. Step 6: Give the soup a stir and taste; if you like it less thick you can add a splash of water. Gently pour the soup around the mound of diced ingredients. Serve with your choice of toppings and a drizzle of olive oil.
13
May 14th - May 27th 2020
Flightmare THE cost of plane tickets could rise by up to 54% due to social distancing, it has been suggested. Airlines such as Easyjet have stated their intent to keep their middle seats empty once flights resume, to keep some forms of social distancing. It’s thought that more airlines will follow suit, causing the maximum capacity of flights to be reduced by a third. The aviation industry has grounded to a virtual halt, with many airlines suffering huge losses and these plans could potentially make things worse. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) this could cause the price of flight tickets to surge. The IATA supports the plans to make use of face masks compulsory for all passengers and crew, but doesn’t support the idea of leaving middle seats empty.
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PROPERTY
14
May 14th - May 27th 2020
In the sticks THE post-coronavirus property trends have been revealed as house-hunters on lockdown imagine their ‘new normal’. Although the market may not fully recover until 2022, once Spain does exit the crisis, balconies, back gardens and beautiful views will be a must for many buyers craving more space. Months of teleworking is also likely to create a demand for suburban homes, further from one’s place of work, according to real estate firm, Property Buyers by SomRIE.
Rental support TENANTS with problems paying rent due to COVID-19 could see 100% of their costs covered for up to six months. People will have until September 30 to apply for the state aid and until October 31 to be approved - although there may be room for extending the deadlines to November 30 and December 31 respectively.
Spain puts aside €1.2 billion to help pay rent for hardest hit by coronavirus crisis The credit, depending on the tenant’s losses and circumstances, can cover up to 100% of the monthly rent, with a maximum of €900. It means a potential state aid of up to €5,400 per person/ family. The money is in the form of an interest-free loan, with
the government setting aside €1.2 billion for the scheme. To be approved for the credit, it must be proven that the tenant or one of the members of the family unit has seen a significant reduction in income, lost their job, been furloughed or seen their hours reduced due to having to care
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ORIHUELA town hall has selected three plots of land to auction off in a bid to raise €20 million. The largest is in the Los Colinas sector (PAU-21) south of Torrevieja, consisting of almost 10 acres, of which 60% can be built on, and has a starting price of €14.4m. The second plot is located in the La Cuerda sector, with an area of four acres and a starting price of €4.2 million. The last site is in the El Garbanzuelo sector (PAU9), which is only 1.7 acres in size but has a starting price of €1 million. The money raised from the sales will be invested into a nature reserve. Heritage Councillor Rafael Almagro said prospective buyers must state their interest by May 20.
for others and a host of other circumstances.
Proof
To request the credit, the total income of the family unit in the month prior to application cannot exceed five times the IPREM (in this case, €537.89). Meaning if a household earned more than €2,689 in the previous month, it will not be able to apply. The tenant or family unit will also have to prove that they spend 35% or more of their total income on rent, basic expenses and supplies. The tenant will have six years to repay the loan, with an initial grace period of six months. Once the first three years have passed, they can request an extension for another four years if deemed necessary. People who own a property but still rent are not eligible without proof that they cannot get entry to their homes.
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We hope the information provided in this article is of interest. If you would like to contact Linea Directa please call 952 147 834. More information about Linea Directa online at www.lineadirecta.com
OP Puzzle solutions Across: 7 Axe, 8 Yearning, 9 Nail file, 10 Rag, 11 Hilly, 12 Success, 14 Astride, 16 Admit, 18 Ash, 19 Boldness, 20 Magnetic, 21 Ewe. Down: 1 Canaries, 2 Cellular phone, 3 Lyric, 4 Maseru, 5 Unprecedented, 6 Snug, 12 Sue, 13 Spinster, 15 Debate, 17 Elect, 18 Away.
SUDOKU
Quick Crossword
Market freeze SPAIN will lose a minimum of 50,000 house sales this year, a leading property firm has forecast. Some 501,085 homes changed hands in 2019, but that number will dwindle to just 450,000 in 2020 in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, according to Pisos. com. This is the ‘best-case scenario’ on the assumption that the Spanish real estate market sees a resurgence in the last quarter. If a revival does not occur, there could be a 25% drop in activity on last year and 130,000 fewer sales.
Impact
In response to this negative outlook, the Bank of Spain has predicted a slide in both rent and sale prices of between 6.5% and 13.5%. “The greatest impact on price will take place in areas where there is a higher unemployment rate and less economic capacity, less industry and more dependence on tourism,” said Pisos.com director Ferran Font. Spain’s biggest cities, Madrid and Barcelona, are therefore set to escape the worst of the price drops, whereas the Costa del Sol, Costa Blanca and inland Andalucia could be much harder hit.
Win for tenants THOUSANDS of apartments in cities across Spain could soon be returned to the traditional rental market following the collapse of tourism. Barcelona’s deputy mayor, Janet Sanz, estimates up to ‘a third or even half’ of the city’s 10,000 tourist rentals could revert back to long term rental homes over the next three years. She said apartment owners will want to recoup their losses as lockdown restrictions 17:01 have effectively ‘written off’ Spain’s 2020 tourist season. “What the owners of tourist apartments want now is stability, and they can get that from conventional lettings,” Sanz believes. “Of course they’ll make less than they want but it is stable.”
Desperate for a dip PROPERTY giant Idealista has registered a 14.6% monthly year-on-year increase in online searches for homes with a pool in Spain. Such searches accounted for 29% of total online queries in April, according to a monthly report. The Valencian Community – which includes the Costa Blanca – was the region with the most interest in this sector, at 40% of searches. In second was the Balearics (40.3%), followed by Andalucia (39.5%) and Madrid (36.4%).
BUSINESS Bunch of bankers 15
May 14 th - May 27th 2020
Loans for small businesses used to pay off old debts as lenders cash in on crisis
SPAIN’S banks have been accused of misusing a government loan programme intended to help small businesses survive the coronavirus crisis. A study by small companies’ pressure group Pimec claims that banks are using the funds to pay off risky debt first rather than providing new loans as they are supposed to. The idea behind the scheme is to give small businesses
By Dilip Kuner
who have been badly hit by lockdown an instant credit lifeline. But according to Pimec about 37% of loans granted through the scheme in Catalunya went
to pay off old debt rather than provide liquidity to help struggling businessmen pay their bills. It says that most of the big banks are following the practice, but points at BBVA and Banco Sabadell as particularly culpable.
Give our cash back!
LOW cost airlines Ryanair and Vueling have had official complaints made against them over refunds for cancelled flights. The FACUA-Consumers organisation has denounced Ryanair to the State Agency for Air Safety (AESA) for making cash refunds difficult to get. But when the Olive Press Googled ‘refunds Ryanair’ an application form was the first result. A similar search for Vueling produced an error message. FACUA wants Vueling to be fined for only offering vouchers for new flights with no mention of refunds. In Ryanair’s case, the association has seen a flood of queries and complaints from users who
are finding it difficult to get their money back. FACUA claims that affected passengers have been getting an email saying that if they do not want to accept the voucher option they should contact the airline to change flights or claim a refund, and links to their website. However, nowhere does this link allow the user to get their money back, and it only provides information about the voucher and how to apply for it, FACUA said. The consumer’s organisation warns that the practices of some airlines will lead to a logjam in courts as people try to get their cash back.
Write-off SPAIN’S economy will shrink by 9.2% this year. That’s the gloomy forecast made by the government this week, representing a significantly bleaker outlook than the -8% predicted by the IMF a at the beginning of the month. The collapse is unprecedented, given that even in the Great Recession of 2008, GDP never fell by more than 3.8%. But in a report sent to Brussels, the Spanish government believes the country will recover in the form of an ‘asymmetric V’, i.e. a sharp drop followed by a sharp rise back up.
Upping sticks Sun Lawyers breakdown the six necessary documents you NEED to sell your property in Spain
A
S we say in Spanish: ‘everything is moving’. And it’s true – by looking backwards we see that times have changed unrecognisably. Which means you might be ready to sell your property in Spain, perhaps because of a life-changing illness, loss of a relative, or simply because you are not happy with your property, the neighbourhood or the area anymore. Therefore, we’ve created a list of six necessary documents you should keep in mind for when you sell your property: 1. NIE number certificate. This may seem too obvious, but it’s a very important document required to sell your property. You obtained your NIE to buy property. In case you lost the NIE, you must request a duplicate at the nearest Spanish National Police station. 2. Utility bills. Your water and electricity accounts will need to be changed into the buyer’s name; otherwise, you will remain the person responsible for any accumulated services. So, it’s important that you present them so that your solicitor can coordinate with the buyer’s representative the changes. 3. Community fees. If your property is part of a community of property owners you will need a certificate from the administrator stating there are no out-
standing debts on your property. 4. Energy certificate. This certificate is mandatory. It will show the property’s category in terms of energy efficiency. This certificate must be obtained before the property is officially advertised for sale. 5. Habitation certificate. It’s a document confirming the fulfilment of minimum requirements established by the local town hall declaring that the property is habitable. This document is required to change the utility bills name into the buyer’s name. 6. Certificate of fiscal residence. If you are still registered for income tax abroad but spend more than 183 days in Spain, this certificate will avoid the retention of the 3% which will be applied over the sale price. A certificate of fiscal residence can be obtained from the Spanish tax authorities. It may look like a lot of documentation, but at Sun Lawyers we can help you reduce the stress of the legal process involved in the sale of your property. Have you got any questions? Please give us a ring at 966 471 898 or send us an email at admin@sun-lawyers. com. We’ll be waiting to hear from you!
The Pimec survey of 432 firms found that 79% of loans through BBVA were used to pay off old debt. This figure was 62% for Sabadell and 40% for Banco Santander. This has the effect of shifting the risk on existing loans from the banks to the government. Pimec president Josep Gonzalez said: “This initiative will not increase liquidity. It could mean that the funds that the government is budgeting for this programme would be insufficient to respond to the decline in economic activity.” Economy Ministry sources have said they are monitoring the situation, adding that using state-backed credit to pay off existing debt was not allowed. So far the Government under Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has approved three tranches of €20 billion out of a total €100 billion fund. The programme guarantees 80% of loans to small and mid-sized companies, and 70% of loans to large corporations to help overcome the lockdown.
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Tweet hurts FAR right political party Vox has said it will sue Twitter after #killabascal in reference to its leader started trending on the social media site.
FINAL WORDS
Whats prats POLICE have reported 18 people – who face fines of between €601 and €30,000 – for setting up a WhatsApp group to warn members of coronavirus lockdown checkpoints.
DJ dimwits AN incredulous cop has asked 18 ‘foreign’ revellers ‘do you know the situation in Spain?’ when he found them partying complete with DJ and buffet in Ibiza.
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Vol. 1 Issue 14 www.theolivepress.es May 14th - May 27th, 2020
Dog days aren’t over Sexpert warns against snogging, saying ‘doggy style’ is safest post-covid position
A SPANISH sex expert has warned against French kissing and ‘rimming’ amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. As the country begins to open once more, director of the Andalucian Institute of Sexology says it’s not time for our legs to follow suit. In fact there are several activi-
By Laurence Dollimore
ties Francisco Cabello has advised against if we want to prevent another wave of infections. “Of all the sexual relations that could take place during this period, the most dangerous is kissing with tongues,” said Ca-
bello, “since the highest concentration of the virus is in the saliva.” He advised that couples who have not been living together should take precautions when reigniting their sex lives. Because one of the two may be asymptomatic, Cabello advises the avoidance of mouth-to-
George, dinner’s ready! BRITISH F1 star George Russell (left) has raced to victory in the Spanish Grand Prix – without leaving his bedroom. The 22-year-old Williams driver from King’s Lynn secured a dramatic late win in the virtual event as his Ferrari rival Charles Leclerc picked up a time penalty. The race at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya featured a host of other sportsmen out of action due to coronavirus, including Manchester City forward Sergio Aguero, Real Madrid keeper Thibaut Courtois and English golfer Ian Poulter.
mouth contact. To make this easier, he reccomended ‘doggy style’ or ‘spoon’ style sex as safest. He added that while no germs have been found in sexual fluids as of yet, it is still accepted as a possibility and therefore it is best to avoid oral sex. It is particularly important to avoid oral-anal sex, he said, also known as ‘rimming’, given that a ‘large amount’ of the virus can be found in faeces. The sexologist added that if symptoms begin to appear, it would be ‘tremendously risky’ to have sex, advising to opt for masturbation – solo or together, while maintaining a safe distance. For couples who have been going through the lockdown together, sex is ‘totally safe’, however extra hygiene precautions should be taken, said Cabello.
A CONTESTANT on Masterchef Spain has been kicked off the show after serving judges a whole, uncooked, unplucked partridge. The panel were left dumbstruck when the less than appetising dead bird was served up to them – complete with a cherry tomato garnish and sauce. Saray Carillo – who describes herself as a 27-year-old transgender Gypsy - made a stand after she was left spitting feathers by previous comments from the judges.
113 not out MARIA Branyas, who at 113 is Spain’s most senior citizen, has overcome COVID-19. Born in San Francisco in 1907, where her father had gone for work after spending some time in Mexico, Maria currently lives in the Santa Maria del Tura care home in Olot, in northern Catalunya. The centennial grandmother has spent the last 20 years living in the residence without cognitive problems or serious illnesses. The centre confirmed 17 coronavirus-related deaths among its elderly residents on April 1.