Miscellaneous info that may be of interest to members.
Useful links
Covid Symptoms:
COVID-19 affects different people in different ways. Most infected people will develop mild to moderate illness and recover without hospitalization.
Most common symptoms:
fever
dry cough
tiredness
Less common symptoms:
aches and pains
sore throat
diarrhoea
conjunctivitis
headache
loss of taste or smell
a rash on skin, or discolouration of fingers or toes
Serious symptoms:
difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
chest pain or pressure
loss of speech or movement
Seek immediate medical attention if you have serious symptoms. Always call before visiting your doctor or health facility.
People with mild symptoms who are otherwise healthy should manage their symptoms at home.
On average it takes 5–6 days from when someone is infected with the virus for symptoms to show, however it can take up to 14 days.
Inter municipality travel
Travel into and out of municipalities with a Covid-19 incidence rate above 500 per 100,000 people will not be permitted under new rules brought in by the Andalusian government
New restrictions announced on Friday (Jan. 15th.) by the Junta de Andalucía regional government to curb the "explosive" spread of the third wave of coronavirus include a ban on travel into and out of municipalities with a Covid-19 incidence rate of more than 500 per 100,000 peoplein the last 14 days.
Across Andalucía, 219 towns and villages fall into this criteria. In Malaga province, the towns set to be affected are: Alameda, Alcaucín, Alfarnate, Alfarnatejo, Algarrobo, Algatocín, Alhaurín de la Torre, Alhaurín el Grande, Almargen, Álora, Ardales, Arenas, Benamocarra, Benarrabá, Canillas de Albaida, Cartajima, Cañete la Real, Comares, Coín, El Borge, Faraján, Gaucín, Genalguacil, Igualeja, Manilva, Moclinejo, Mollina, Monda, Ronda, Salares, Sayalonga, Teba, Villanueva del Rosario, Villanueva del Trabuco and Vélez-Málaga.
Of these Alameda, Alfarnatejo, Algatocín, Alhaurín el Grande, Almargen, Ardales, Benamocarra,Cartajima, Coín, El Borge, Igualeja, Monda, Salares and Teba all have incidence rates above 1,000 per 100,000. Here all non-essential activity will be prohibited, with bars, restaurants and shops set to close.
Travel into and out of these towns will only be allowed for justified reasons which include caring for a dependant person, health appointments and professional, business or legal obligations.
A warning.
Sorry to have to warn others of the latest phone scam, but myself and other local people (I checked with others on Manilva Coffee Chat chatroom and several men and women have said the same thing happened to them in the last 24 hrs). I received a call yesterday afternoon to my landline, others have had the call to their mobiles. If you receive a call from a pleasant and VERY persuasive man talking in Spanish saying he is inviting you to a free healthy cooking class in Estepona run by his Department, the Dept. of Estepona Tourism, and that you can win a free gift by going along, PUT THE PHONE DOWN. I have checked with the lady that actually runs Estepona Tourism, Francine Pompas. and there is NO SUCH COOKING CLASS, it is a scam to get you out of the house in order that a burglary can be arranged in your absence :-( Sorry to spread news like this but better to be pre-warned rather than tricked.
OTHER NEWS
Facemasks. The wearing of masks is now obligatory.
Beach
You have to wear a mask while walking to the beach, or on the beach or if sitting with people other than your household. You do not have to wear a mask while swimming or sunbathing with your own household.
Pool
You have to wear a mask while walking around the pool area but not while sunbathing with your household or swimming.
Cars
You do not have to wear a mask in your car with people from your own household but if you are taking passengers not in your household you do have to wear a mask.
Sports
You do not have to wear a mask while exercising. Walking along the seafront is not exercise.
If you do not wear a mask for medical reasons you must have a letter from your doctor to show to the police.
It is an instant €100 fine for failure to adhere to these rules.
Note from Sue about Residencia
This is the translation of the BOE re the TIE, it is rather long!
( BOLETÍN OFICIAL DEL ESTADO / Tarjeta de identidad de extranjero )
CAB are challenging the legality of rules so watch this space.
My understanding is that those who have no Residencia can now apply.
Temporary & Permanent residents, look on your Residencia card to see which you have, need to apply by June 2021 so I wouldn't rush until things are a lot clearer.
Original Spanish version
https://boe.es/boe/dias/2020/07/04/pdfs/BOE-A-2020-7276.pdf
To Clarify
If you do not hold the green Residencia you must apply for the TIE before the end of December 2020 to protect your rights as a UK citizen living in Spain.
If you already hold a green card Residencia be it A4 or credit card size you are under no obligation to change it to the TIE. All your rights are protected.
If you are already a Resident but wish to exchange to a TIE please do not make an appointment before December 2020 as you will be taking appointments away from those who need an appointment before December.
For further information I suggest you watch the video from the British Ambassador on the FB page Brits in Spain
Sue.
More on the TIE from Brexpats in Spain.
We have alerted the British Embassy in Madrid with regards to the wrongly worded TIEs. So far, we know these cards have been issued in Tenerife, Alicante, Málaga and Galicia. We have been asked by the Embassy to inform them of any developments and we are working closely with them to resolve this so we will update asap but in the meantime, to assess the scale of this, please check your new TIEs and let us know if it says your permission is as a family member of an EU citizen and not in your own right (unless you really are piggy-backing on a family member's right). Thank you 😊
For those of you that have the new TIE, please check the wording on your TIE re the above.
More info on residency matters from Francine
UK Nationals Support Fund project Supporting UK nationals living in Spain to secure and maintain their residency rights, now that the UK has left the EU. Following the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union, the British Government has created the UK Nationals Support Fund (UKNSF) aiming to provide support to those UK Nationals living in the European Union. In this context and running from February 2020 until March 2021, IOM is implementing a joint project engaging IOM missions across multiple EU Member States including France, Spain, Poland, Slovakia, Germany, Italy and Portugal in close cooperation with IOM UK, UK FCO and UK embassies. OBJECTIVE The objective of the UKNSF Project is to provide direct support to UK Nationals residing in EU/EFTA countries, and their family members, that are looking to maintain their residency in the mentioned Member States after the UK has left the EU. Support will be targeted to reach UKNs and their family members that may be at risk or with difficulties to complete their residency process. This can include elderly people with limited mobility, people living with different disabilities, or chronic illness, people who face language or literacy barriers, or barriers in accessing technology.
How you can contact us:
UKnationalsSP@iom.int
Madrid (0034) 699 581 855
Murcia (0034) 648 642 543
Malaga (0034) 650 339 754
Monday to Thursday from 15.00-17.30
IMPLEMENTATION IN SPAIN
Where? The project will be implemented in Madrid, Andalusia and Murcia. Nevertheless, any at-risk
UK National living in Spain is eligible to receive IOM’s support. Action: IOM Spain will provide direct individual support to UKNs to help with their residency applications, through a phone helpline, email or face-to-face case support. Our legal advisors and caseworkers will provide advice both in English and Spanish. Outreach and information events will be held in the Spanish regions where the project is implemented. Informational materials with legal residency requirements and processes will be made available through various channels (e.g. social media, brochures, etc.).
