Another Spanish tourist region has been put on high alert after at least 23 guests at a wedding, including the bride and her mother, were struck down with coronavirus.
More than 35,000 residents of Tudela in Navarra, northern Spain, are being advised to wear masks and stick to social distancing to prevent the disease spreading further.
And the appeal is being echoed 60miles north of Tudela in Pamplona, which is also in Navarra, after five new cases of COVID-19 were identified in the same family.
The move to press citizens to stick to coronavirus restrictions once again follows the decision to reimpose lockdowns in two other Spanish regions in recent days.
Tudela in Navarra, northern Spain, has been put on high alert after at least 23 guests at a wedding, including the bride and her mother, were struck down with coronavirus
The appeal is being echoed 60miles north of Tudela in Pamplona, which is also in Navarra, after five new cases of COVID-19 were identified in the same family. Pamplona is famous for its annual bull-run. Pictured: A reveller stands along the course of the run earlier this week
The 70,000 citizens living in La Marina, which lies 90 miles east of La Coruna in Galicia have had restrictions reimposed after a new outbreak.
Entry into and out of the town has been banned, with gatherings limited to ten people or less.
And the region of Catalonia has locked down Segrià county, in which 400,000 people live, following a surge in coronavirus cases.
On the Costa del Sol, nearly 30 beaches were closed earlier this week after huge crowds of people flocked to the beach. The region is a hot spot for British tourists.
Overall, Spain has reported 252,513 confirmed coronavirus cases, with 28,401 deaths.
Health officials in Tudela haven’t specified whether the wedding was authorised under the coronavirus lockdown regulations or whether the number of permitted guests was exceeded.
More than 35,000 residents of Tudela are being advised to wear masks and stick to social distancing to prevent the disease spreading further
However, they have admitted they expect more positive results as they are now testing anyone connected with the wedding, including staff at the venue and at a bar visited afterwards.
Two guests were tested initially when they started to feel unwell. When they proved positive, another 34 were tested, with 21 being positive as well.
One of the affected people has been admitted to the Reina Sofía Hospital, where a tent has been installed outside to carry out the tests.
The health authority says all the other guests at the wedding, together with close contacts, also have to self-quarantine for 14 days.
All those tested positive are over the age of 50.
A number of businesses in Tudela have already taken it in their own hands to close down because of the outbreak, particularly a bar and a supermarket which were visited by guests.
A sign on one said: ‘On the occasion of the positive of Covid-19 on our terrace, we have decided to close until things are clarified. We are sorry for the inconvenience. See you soon.’
The mayor of Tudela, Alejandro Toquero, has made a plea for ‘collective and individual responsibility’ and says he is in close contact with the health authority to monitor developments.
An investigation is already underway to try and find the source of the new outbreak.
The mayor has warned that if there are further outbreaks, restrictions could be reimposed by the Government of Navarra and Tudela city council.
Health officials in Tudela haven’t specified whether the wedding was authorised under the coronavirus lockdown regulations or whether the number of permitted guests was exceeded
‘Once again, responsibility is requested and an appeal is made to continue with the measures of social distancing and a mask,’ he appealed.
Old folks’ homes have already been locked down again with visitors banned because of the outbreak.
Tudela is much visited by tourists interested in its history and old architecture.
Navarra’s health chief, Santos Induráin said the number of people affected at the wedding was almost certain to increase and tests would be taken both now and at the end of seven days initially and then at 14 days.
Confirming the cases were being treated as outbreaks, she warned: ‘The virus is still here and people must be vigilant.’
In Pamplona, the famous bull run should now be taking place but these were cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. Tests are being carried out on the family and all contacts after five relatives were diagnosed with the virus
‘The Department of Health, in contact with both the local and health authorities in these areas, is currently working to complete the monitoring of the two new outbreaks and to adopt the necessary measures to tackle the possible chain of infections,’ she said.
In Pamplona, the famous bull run should now be taking place but these were cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Tests are being carried out on the family and all contacts after five relatives were diagnosed with the virus.
It is believed the virus was ‘imported’ from a relative who came to Pamplona from another region.
Spain is currently registering coronavirus outbreaks in more than 90 areas although the government says they are under control.
Many regions are currently imposing the mandatory use of face masks.