The Consell de Formentera took new measures today aimed at preventing and containing the spread of Covid-19 on the island. “Ferry companies will maintain minimum service between Formentera and Eivissa so goods can continue to arrive”, said President Alejandra Ferrer, “however, we are asking people to forgo all but the most necessary voyages”. The reduction will make it easier for agents stationed in the harbour to check arriving passengers, who Ferrer pointed out would be subject to a litany of recommendations and tips.

The island government is now in talks with the ferry companies to work out details of scheduling and the new restricted entry scheme will be enacted in short order. Following a request from Formentera representatives, later today the Balearic cabinet will review minimum services regulation which will lay the groundwork for this latest containment measure. The regulation calls for ten daily journeys in both directions, and requires early-morning and late-evening service as well.

Checks of arriving travelers
The president explained that the Formentera government is “working with other agencies and administrations to implement security checks for those individuals coming to the island”. Passengers will be provided general recommendations and encouraged to self-isolate if they are arriving from an affected area. Health authorities will be notified as well so that the recent arrivals can be properly monitored.

Ferrer called the minimum services regulation “yet another precautionary measure that will allow us to track entry on the island”, and described it as “a responsible move”. Goods will always be allowed entry and individuals will not be restricted in their movement so long as the travel is necessary, she added, citing examples such as visits to the Eivissa hospital. Inhabitants of the island are asked to avoid any travel that can be put off until later.

Recent arrivals from at-risk areas
President Ferrer also asked all those individuals on Formentera who arrived in the last week from affected areas like Madrid, Barcelona or Italy to telephone the Consell at 971.32.10.87 so they can receive best practices recommendations and be monitored. Such persons should also call 061 if they experience symptoms like cough, fever or shortness of breath and, as a precautionary measure, self-isolate and reduce interpersonal contact to an absolute minimum.

Recommendations for the hospitality sector
Ferrer asked local hotels or restaurants that are unable to comply with containment measures (safe distance, hygiene, continuous cleaning of all surfaces, discouraging groups) to close for the next two to three weeks.

The message was not extended to “basic-needs” businesses like supermarkets and food vendors, pharmacies and petrol stations, which, together with ferry companies, have received informational material about coronavirus, transmission, preventive measures and frequent signs and symptoms.

Ferrer renewed her appeal to islanders’ “sense of individual responsibility” in preventing the virus’s spread, helping keep hospitals in good working order and protecting those groups that are most vulnerable to coronavirus, namely, individuals over 65 and people with pre-existing medical conditions.

According to Ferrer, “exceptional times call for exceptional measures”. She urged islanders to “stay at home whenever possible and minimise interpersonal contact”, adding, “If you absolutely must go out, now is a great time to take walks in nature—where groups can be avoided”. Ferrer thanked the people of Formentera for their cooperation and promised, “If we all do our part, getting back to normal will be that much easier.”

13 March 2020
Department of Communications
Consell de Formentera

The Formentera government is implementing various measures, some cautionary, some geared toward containment, in view of the local threat of Covid-19. For two weeks starting tomorrow, cultural, sporting and any other activities which are either organised by the Consell de Formentera or held in municipal buildings will be suspended.

The following buildings will be closed:
Poliesportiu Antoni Blanc, the municipal pool and IES Marc Ferrer sports facility
Sports pitches, including in Es Cap de Barbaria and the municipal football field
Casal de Joves
Biblioteca Marià Villangómez [Sant Francesc] and Punt de Lectura [Sant Ferran]
Sala d’Actes de Cultura (Cinema)
Sala d’Exposicions ‘Ajuntament Vell’
Far de la Mola
Casa del Poble [La Mola]
Ethnological Museum [Sant Francesc]
Torre des Pi des Català
Casal d’Entitats

The following activities are suspended or postponed:
Courses and workshops organised by the Consell de Formentera.
Activities like lectures, day-long events, film showings at the cinema, theatrical productions and other events organised by the Consell de Formentera.
Any activities in which the local government collaborates or which are held in municipal buildings.

Escola de Música
Non-accredited classes offered by the Consell de Formentera at the School of Music are cancelled. Accredited classes offered by the Govern balear remain unchanged.

Formentera Escoletes
As mandated by the regional health ministry, nursery service is being maintained in an effort to allow islanders to balance work and home life. However, Formentera’s local government urges those parents or guardians who are able to stay home and care for their young ones to do so.

Tanatori
The island’s funeral parlour will continue operations under a hygiene-oriented protocol. Special guidelines will likewise be proposed for offering condolences.

Citizen’s Information Office
The OAC will remain open, but islanders are encouraged to handle formalities online at https://ovac.conselldeformentera.cat.

Social Services
Operations will continue but islanders are asked to make telephone inquiries whenever possible (971.32.12.71).

Public transport
In the interest of mobility, service will continue but taxi and bus drivers are urged to follow protocol and use a maximum of hygiene measures. Seniors and individuals with pre-existing conditions are encouraged not to use public transport.

Consell de Formentera president Alejandra Ferrer said the decision was about “being responsible in light of health authorities’ recommendations that all but the most necessary activities be postponed or cancelled in order to prevent group activities from turning municipal buildings into sources of infection”.

“The measures are indeed restrictive”, said Ferrer, “but we are asking individuals to do their part as members of the community so we can continue providing adequate healthcare and protecting those most vulnerable. We are trying to ensure Formentera is the safest place possible during this public health crisis. Our goal is to return to normalcy and resume our economic activity as soon as possible.”

“These measures are being implemented with the latest information and directives, but the entire administration is on permanent alert and stands ready to update protocols as necessary.”

Individuals with symptoms associated with infection should telephone 061 but not visit the Formentera Hospital. The Govern balear has launched an information line at 900.10.18.63.

12 March 2020
Department of Communications
Consell de Formentera