Coronavirus – Mayor’s anger as Marbella faces another week of Phase 1
Malaga and Granada provinces will not be allowed to move to Phase 2 with the rest of Andalucia this Monday. The decision by central government in Madrid angered Marbella's mayor, Ángeles Muñoz, who took to Social Media to complain. "The government's decision is arbitrary and incomprehensible"…
Hundreds protest Marbella lockdown
Marbella followed the example of the well heeled Salamanca district of Madrid yesterday when hundreds gathered to protest against the continuing State of Alarm and Prime Minister Sanchez's policies https://www.facebook.com/Ijimenezcabezas/videos/10214048506486774/ Facebook: Immaculada Brujita The protesters, many draped in Spanish flags and banging pots and pans, made their way along the…
Sunday Morning Mutterings – Feliz Cumple Banús!
It has been a haven for the Jet Set, the wannabies, the It girls, and the has beens as well as the brash, blinged, blasted and frequently botoxed, and as it turns 50 today, Puerto Banús shows no signs of slowing down! The Port’s story began in 1962 when Catalan construction magnate José Banús Masdeu - a good friend of Spain’s leader General Franco - brought the land that was to become Nueva…
Coronavirus – Monday Phase 1 move for Marbellla
Marbella will move a little closer to the "New Normal" on Monday. With last night's announcement that Malaga Province will finally be allowed to move to Phase 1 - a week later than most of Spain - certain restrictions will be eased. Some of the major points will be the freedom of movement within Malaga Province for shopping, play certain sports and to meet people; the ability to meet…
Specsavers Ópticas reopens with safety front of mind
Specsavers Ópticas reopened this week to provide eye care to the Marbella community. After eight weeks of closed doors, the store is now able to provide the full breadth of optical services to its customers, including eye tests and frame repairs. Customers will also be able to buy new glasses, contact lenses and other accessories, but are being asked to request an appointment in advance by…
Coronavirus – Marbella records a week with no fatalities
Marbella marked a week without coronavirus fatalities on Wednesday, according to information provided by the Junta de Andalucia. In further encouraging news, the town registered only one new case of COVID-19, which brought the total of new cases to 14 over three days. For the first time, Marbella did not see the usual rebound on Wednesday, which could point to a major slowdown in the pandemic.……
“Arbitrary and unfair” – Mayor Muñoz wants answers from Madrid
Marbella mayor Ángeles Muñoz demanded explanations from the central government for the "arbitrary and unfair" decision to keep the Costa del Sol and the entire province of Malaga in Phase 0 of the de-escalation At a Press briefing on Monday, Muñoz stated that as senator she had registered a request for information and a question to the central Executive “to make the criteria that has been…
“Blatant Discrimination” – Junta reacts angrily to Madrid decree
The Junta de Andalucia reacted angrily last night to the Spanish government's decision not to allow the provinces of Malaga and Granada to deescalate to Phase 1 on Monday. President of the Junta de Andalucia, Juanma Moreno, pulled no punches on Saturday evening, calling the decision of Health Minister Salvador Illa, "blatant discriminatory treatment". "The map of Andalusia should be painted…
State of Alarm extended for further two weeks
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez was yesterday able to secure a further extension to the state of emergency to manage the COVID-19 crisis. Sánchez told Congress that while the spread of the virus was growing at a daily rate of 35% seven weeks ago, this rate now stood at 0.31%, and claimed "albeit prudently" that other indicators also show that the disease is under control and that the health…
Green for Go! – Marbella’s Largest Organic Supermarket opens
Well, you've got to admire them for pluck! While the rest of Spain tentatively took the first steps into the "new normal", Green Village opened in Marbella becoming the largest organic supermarket in the region. Stocking more than 5,000 certified products ranging from food, cosmetics, dietary supplements, baby food as well as household cleaning products. Green Village aimes to addresses the…
Marbella Feria falls victim to Coronavirus
Even San Bernabé, Marbella's patron saint, has been affected by the coronavirus. Marbella Town Hall announced on Monday that annual Feria San Bernabé 2020, which was to be held from June 8 -14, has been cancelled because of the pandemic. Marbella mayor, Ángeles Muñox held a video conference with feria coordinator advisor, Yolanda Marín; the Elder Brother of the Brotherhood of the Romeros of San…
Coronavirus Car Carnage
Being what is deemed an “essential worker” – which as a freelance journalist and broadcaster is a first – I am lucky enough to be allowed to travel by car daily to the studio. I’ve been driving in Spain since the mid 80s, so it is safe to say that I have seen practically every weird and wonderful scenario possible. I still get cold sweats remembering the – frankly deadly – bends by the La Cala…
BREAKING NEWS: Coronavirus – “There is no Plan B”. Sánchez aims to prolong State of Alarm
"There is no Plan B". Those were the words used by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez describing his government's response to the Coronavirus crisis. During the Saturday afternoon Press briefing, the Prime Minister also confirmed that he would press for a further 15 days of lockdown, until May 24. Sánchez confirmed that Phase 0 of the deescalation of the lockdown would being on Monday, and…
Anantara Villa Padierna Palace Resort becomes base for World Central Kitchen food aid project
One of the most heartwarning aspects of the lockdown is the way that several of the Coast's leading hotels and restaurants have come together to help those less fortunate. Since the beginning of the Covid-19 health crisis, the Anantara Villa Padierna Palace Resort has been committed to making its resources available to the Spanish authorities and social organisations collaborating to manage…
Coronavirus – Towards a “New Normality”
Spanish Prime minister Pedro Sánchez announced plans and a proposed timetable for the de-escalation of the quarantine measures across the country on Tuesday evening. The timetable will have four phases. The first phase, which starts on May 4 will see the reopening of small business including restaurants that can offer take away food, as well as establishments that can take bookings, such as…
Coronavirus – Malaga province releases breakdown of cases
Marbella registered just two new cases of coronavirus and no fatalities on Tuesday, taking the total number of infections to 225. The figures came the day after Malaga province released a town-by-town breakdown of cases. On Monday Malaga registered 3,060 but also reported that of the 103 towns and villages in the province, 38 had no recorded cases and 47 less than ten. These included Gaucin,…
Coronavirus – Figure rises slightly while debate continues about Sunday social distancing
The number of fatalities rose to 331 today, up from Sunday's low of 288, the lowest since March 18. The figure prompted Fernando Simón, the director of the Health Ministry’s Coordination Centre for Health Alerts, to comment that "the evolution of the epidemic with respect to the number of cases is very positive,” at Monday's Press Conference. Sunday was also the first day that children…
Sunday Morning Mutterings – Lockdown Life Lessons
As the coronavirus curve apparently flattens and children have finally been allowed out for an hour – although I'm writing this on late Saturday so chances are the little so-and-so's have gone feral and charged off with the first whiff of freedom after six weeks inside. Perhaps the “one adult with three children” rule should have been “one adult with a tazer, and three children” (and no. I don't…
Marbella to open beaches this Sunday – but not for everyone
It's the morning that kids have all been waiting for. After six weeks of lockdown, the Spanish government has finally passed a decree allowing children under 14 to be allowed out from this Sunday, April 26. But there are some rules. Children are allowed out for one hour of exercise a day, between 9am and 9pm and within one kilometre of their homes. They can take balls, hoops and other games,…
Electric Friday goes live!
Got that "It's Friday. F**K the lockdown!" feeling? Well, unlike injecting disinfectant directly into the nervous system, we may have just the thing to cure the coronavirus blues. Two of Marbella's finest - Victors Beach and Corto Maltes DJs Curro Rodriguez and Bori Vidales be hosting a Facebook live session tonight from 7pm. Featuring summer vibes and a healthy dose of retro 90 s club…