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BULLFIGHTING

Spanish crowds to return to the bullring next month in support of Covid-hit matadors

Madrid officials have announced a charity bullfight in the city, in a bid to raise cash for matadors financially hit by the Covid-19 crisis.

Published: 17 April 2021 15:15 CEST

Spanish crowds to return to the bullring next month in support of Covid-hit matadors

Spanish matador Pablo Aguado performs a pass to a bull during a bullfight at El Puerto de Santa Maria's bullring. (Photo by CRISTINA QUICLER / AFP)

Onlookers are expected to return to Madrid’s Las Ventas bullring in May, for the first time since Spain was hit by the pandemic.

Nearly all of the country’s bullrings and squares have been closed during lockdown restrictions – a move which has both sent matadors into financial disaster and sparked relief from animal rights campaigners, who believe the practice is cruel and should be banned.

Las Ventas, one of the world’s most famous bullrings, will open its doors to a maximum of 4,000 spectators on May 2nd.

This means that the event will still observe distancing rules, as the crowd amounts to just 40% of the venue’s capacity. Other Covid-19 prevention measures, such as wearing face masks, will also be mandatory.

READ ALSO: Could coronavirus deal a fatal blow to Spain’s bullfighting tradition?

Major bullfighting events were cancelled in 2020, including Pamplona’s San Fermin festival in July. This saw many bulls being sent straight to the abattoir.

Spain’s tradition of bullfighting remains controversial – is it an inherent part of culture that contributes to the Spanish economy or animal cruelty?

An online poll by Ipsos MORI, for World Animal Protection, revealed that 19% of adults in Spain aged 16-65 said they supported bullfighting – while 58% opposed it.

The economically-hit profession of matadors forms part of a wider financial crisis in Spain. The government lowered its GDP forecast for 2021 in April, following continued lockdown restrictions putting a dent in the country’s economic recovery.

Member comments

Anonymous - 17 April 2021 at 19:27 CEST

They could raise even more if they combined it with a bit of bear baiting and cock fighting. EU animal protection standards ?? UK dynamic alignment ??

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'Tripledemic' in Spain: Which regions have made masks mandatory in hospitals?

It’s all felt a bit déjà vu in Spain in recent days. Respiratory infections on the up, worries about hospitals being overwhelmed, regional governments clashing with central government about the best way to approach things, and, of course, the return of face masks.

The Health Ministry, headed by Mónica García, called an extraordinary meeting of Spain’s Interterritorial Council of the National Health System (CISNS) in order to “unify the criteria” against the surge in respiratory illnesses over the winter, namely the ‘tripledemic’ threat of influenza, Covid-19 and bronchiolitis as it’s been dubbed in the Spanish and international press.

Although Spain’s Ministry of Health and regional governments failed to come to a nationwide agreement with regards to the mandatory use of masks in hospitals, health centres and pharmacies throughout the country, some regions have already made mascarillas mandatory.

Self-assessed health leave

The government is also considering the possibility of allowing three-day leave for people who have a mild illness that doesn’t require medical attention in order to ease pressure on the health system.

“We are studying self-justifying mild illnesses during the first three days,” García said in an interview with Onda Cero, indicating that this self-assessment process, referred to as ‘autobaja‘ in Spanish, would be for people that “do not need to go to the doctor.”

But what about masks? With no agreement between the government and regions yet, where do you need to wear one?

Mandatory masks

Valencia

The Valencian Ministry of Health has made masks mandatory in all health centres for symptomatic people when they are in shared spaces, including waiting rooms and consultations.

Catalonia

Masks are also mandatory in all health centres in Catalonia, though, as of Monday afternoon, it has not yet been confirmed if pharmacies are included.

Murcia

Murcia too has made face masks mandatory in hospitals and health centres and recommended their use in “in any space, when there are symptoms of respiratory disease.”

Health authorities in the southern region have been offering free masks since December 30th in hospitals.

Canary Islands

The mask mandate will enter into force tomorrow, Tuesday 9th, although like in Murcia their use has been recommended since December.

Aragón

In Aragón, masks are mandatory for all healthcare workers and personnel who work in health centres and hospitals, including social health centres. The mandate has also been extended to patients, but only those in waiting rooms.

Asturias

Face masks will be mandatory in Asturias from Tuesday 9th, in both hospitals and pharmacies.

Non-mandatory but recommended

The rest of the Spanish regions have yet to make masks mandatory in hospitals and health centres, but recommend their use, including:

Balearic Islands

The Balearic Government does however recommend using a mask if you have symptoms, as well as frequent hand washing and covering your mouth when sneezing.

Castilla and León

The Ministry of Health in Castilla y León has recommended masks for people who suspect that they may be ill or have a respiratory infection.

Basque Country

The Basque Department of Health also recommends masks for people with symptoms of respiratory illness, but has not made them obligatory.

Andalusia

The Andalusian Health Service (SAS) recommends masks for people with symptoms, previous health problems, when with vulnerable people or at hospitals or health centres, but has so far ruled out making them mandatory.

Madrid

The Madrid regional government has taken the most nakedly political approach and accused the Ministry of Health of a “lack of planning” and ruled out mask mandates.

Castilla-La Mancha

In Castilla La Mancha, mask use is recommended but not obligatory.

Cantabria

Similarly, in Cantabria masks are not mandatory but recommended.

Navarra

Navarra’s Ministry of Health claims that mask mandates in hospitals and health centres would require “a regulatory adjustment” that would have to be analysed “in depth.”

Masks are therefore recommended but not mandatory for now.

Galicia

In Galicia, masks are recommended in hospitals and other health centres but not mandatory.

La Rioja

Maks in hospitals are only recommended, not obligatory.

Extremadura

Masks are recommended but not mandatory.

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