ARCHIVED - Curfew set to be extended to dozens more towns in Valencia region
Mobility restrictions could be imposed in additional 45 municipalities across the region's three provinces, including Alicante.
The Valencian government has today asked the region's Supreme Court of Justice to extend the night curfew - currently in place in 32 towns - to a further 45 municipalities as infections continue to soar and the 14-day cumulative incidence rate reaches 496 cases per 100,000 people.
While this is below the national average of 622, it's a huge and concerning leap from the 26 cases recorded two months ago.
Earlier this month, a curfew and limitation on social and family gatherings was enforced in municipalities with the most worrying health data - the majority of which are in the province of Valencia, with the exception of San Vicente del Raspeig in Alicante - and were initially expected to last until Sunday, July 25.
But the regional government is now proposing extending the measures to a further 17 towns in Alicante province, including Benidorm, Calpe, Denia, Callosa de Segura and Santa Pola, along with an additional 18 in Valencia, including the city itself, and 10 in Castellón.
The region's vice president, Mónica Oltra, confirmed on Tuesday that the Interdepartmental Commission for Covid Prevention and Action, which will meet on Thursday, July 22, intends to adopt "protective measures to incorporate the curfew to municipalities in which the incidence of Covid is reaching higher levels".
As the 1am to 6am curfew "affects citizens' fundamental rights", the measure needs the endorsement of the Valencia Supreme Court of Justice to be enforced, approval which was given on July 12 and is very likely to be given again in this instance.
IMAGE: Archive
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