Majorca holiday blow as 30 per cent of bars and restaurants expected to stay closed this summer

BARS, cafes and restaurants may struggle to open in Majorca this summer with more than a third expected to stay closed during the tourist season. The CAEB Mallorca, Bars, Cafes and Restaurants Association warned that some will never be able to open again due to the coronavirus pandemic. Despite plans for the Balearic Islands to […]

BARS, cafes and restaurants may struggle to open in Majorca this summer with more than a third expected to stay closed during the tourist season.

The CAEB Mallorca, Bars, Cafes and Restaurants Association warned that some will never be able to open again due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Reuters

A third of cafes and bars may be forced to remain closed in Majorca[/caption]

Despite plans for the Balearic Islands to welcome tourism back this summer, new social distancing guidelines have resulted in problems for reopening.

Many have claimed that the limited capacity and use of outdoor terraces will not be sufficient enough to make a profit when open.

Association vice-president Juan Miguel Ferrer warned that local authorities have “turned their back” on the bars and restaurants on the island.

He warned, according to local media, that 30 per cent of Palma’s establishments may not be able to open this summer, while a large percentage will “will close their doors definitively when this is all over”.

Getty - Contributor

The Balearic Islands are hoping to welcome tourists back from July 1[/caption]

The association delegate for the Portixol district of Palma added that they were not being allowed to extend their terraces in hopes to welcome more guests, and that cutting off main roads and traffic would reduce footfall.

Nightclubs in the Balearic Islands may also not be able to open, with the news just 24 hours after the Spanish government ruled party venues could open once more as long as there was no dancing.

The Balearic Islands are launching a trial with German tourists next week, which will see the arrival of 6,000 visitors to Majorca, Menorca and Ibiza.

The pilot scheme will test safety measures in place at airports, hotels and tourist areas ahead of July when tourists are being welcomed back.

However, Brits may not be able to return straight away due to the high coronavirus cases in the country.

Beaches in the Balearic Islands are already struggling with crowds and overcapacity, ahead of the return of tourists.

Four beaches in Majorca – Illetas, Bugambilia, Oratori and Portals Nous – were closed last week after a high influx of visitors.

Here is everything you need to know about travelling to the Balearic Islands this year.