Valencian Bingo Halls Request Later Closure
The proprietors of bingo halls in Valencia, Spain, have asked health authorities to reconsider their current closing times, allowing for later closures throughout the week. The request comes as Spain eases restrictions in some areas of nightlife and entertainment, including the return of Valencia’s Fallas fiesta, which is also allowed to continue until 1 am each night.
Valencian bingo halls have asked for later opening times amidst easing COVID-19 restrictions. ©Mick Haupt/Unsplash
The argument for later closing times
Those involved in running bingo halls have officially asked Spain’s Ministry of Health to authorize extended hours for the halls each night. They specifically requested that halls stay open until 3 am, in line with other entertainment venues in Valencia.
The request came from FOTUR — Valencia’s Federation of Leisure, Tourism and Gaming — as well as the Valencian Autonomous Association of Legalized Gaming Entrepreneurs (EJUVA) and the Association of Entrepreneurs of Wedding Rooms and Events of the Community (AESAVA).
These groups have come together because all of them consider their industries to be treated unfairly at this time. They argue that their activity spaces have ample room to provide social distance, including between large tables of guests. For wedding parties, AESAVA explained that it makes no sense to ask parties to leave at the current curfew of 12:30 a.m., when they just continue to party at other authorized venues around the city, with no additional safety measures in place.
In comparison to unregulated party venues in the city, these associations argued that their venues offer much more hygienic and safe meeting standards. For example, some even have their own security guards checking that the safe capacity of people admitted into those spaces is upheld, as well as checking for any other hygiene protocol required.
Furthermore, these venues have air renewal systems and a wealth of other resources to assist customers in keeping safe from the COVID-19 virus, according to the groups’ joint statement.
Therefore, they believe they should also be allowed to operate until other venues close in the city: that is, until 3 a.m. on weekdays and until 4 a.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday as well as before public holidays, and in the summer season.
Restrictions ease in Madrid
Meanwhile, one of Spain’s other largest cities, Madrid has announced a relaxation of some coronavirus-related venue restrictions. Specifically, certain venues will be allowed to have a more full capacity than what was previously possible when COVID-19 was more of a concern in the country.
Despite a fifth wave of the virus, Spain has made great progress in vaccinations, with over 70% of the population fully vaccinated now. Until now, restaurants, hotels, entertainment clubs, casinos and other gambling halls have been allowed to operate at 50% of their full capacity levels.
Throughout Spain, officials are hopeful that easing restrictions and other measures will encourage visitors and tourism spend in the last months of summer. Their “extended summer” plans aim to recoup some of the lost income of the worst COVID-19 lockdown periods. Foreign visitation, for example, decreased by 55% in July 2021, compared to July 2019.
Spain’s gaming industry has also suffered great losses during the pandemic, but its gross gaming revenue in 2021 has been relatively strong, even showing growth in Q1 2021.
