Dozens of residents’ associations call for the closure of tourist apartments in the Spanish state during the state of alarm
- The latest measures taken by the Government of Spain against the coronavirus crisis have declared priority activities to several housing units in the context of housing those affected by the disease. A total of 36 residents’ associations in Hego Euskal Herria and throughout the state have called for a complete closure for the risk to the residents of the tourist apartments as a health and safety measure.
President Pedro Sánchez announced on 19 March by decree the closure of hotel and tourist establishments, but four days later, on 23 March, the Ministry of Transport and Mobility designated several tourist accommodations as basic services and, above all, as places for the reception of sick people.
This second measure has provoked the anger of numerous neighborhood associations that denounce that if the government wants to accommodate people with coronavirus in tourist homes, these houses share entrance and several common spaces with the rest of the neighbors. In addition, they have called for the use of hotels and pensions with independent access and thousands of free beds to be able to access their services.
The Spanish Ministry of Health has received four specific requests:
On the one hand, any form of tourist accommodation – house, accommodation or pension – should be abolished as essential services, provided that there are common elements between residents and users of tourist accommodation.
Secondly, it should be expressly stated by ministerial order that, during the state of alarm, the accommodation service should be provided in accommodation where there are no common elements for residents and users.
Thirdly, it should be expressly stated that tourist accommodation, whatever its name, should be closed, with common elements between residents and users.
And fourth, according to Tuesday morning data, 7,340 people have officially died in the Spanish state from COVID-19 disease. This disease is highly contagious and, when there is human life, it is up to institutions to ensure the health of citizens.
Applicant associations include the following: Association Vecinal Bihotzean, Bilbao Civic Forum, Association Bizi Alde Zaharra de Pamplona, Association of Neighbours of Old Part, Egia, Ulia and Eres-Altza de Donostia and the Bizilagunak platform. Along with them, the State Confederation of Neighborhood Associations with representation throughout the state, the National Federation of Anti-noise Associations, and then the agents of Madrid, Andalusia, Valencia, Cádiz, Córdoba, Granada and Jaén. In total 36, as listed in the Bizilagunak platform note.
