Authorities in Spain are looking at how to get people back to the beach safely after restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic begin to ease.
Beaches across the country are creating “sunbathing squares” with cordoned off areas for tourists.
Some regions are even introducing designated zones for different ages and family groups.
New plans are being drawn up for Silgar beach in the northwest of Spain, The Sun reports.
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A video posted on the local council’s Facebook page shows the beach being divided into five different sections.
Within the sections, there will be 780 spaces marked out using rope, which have a 1.5m gap between each one.
Tourists will have to remain in the 9sq m squares while at the beach, with two strips – one for walking and playing games, and another for getting to the toilets and facilities – in place as well.
Passageways to the sea will also be implemented, with 6m-wide strips.
Tourists won’t be able to reserve the squares, however.
One of Spain’s most famous tourist destinations, Lloret de Mar on the Costa Brava, is to divide its beaches into three different age segments in a bid to stop the spread of coronavirus.
While most of Spain’s holiday hot spots intend to section off their beaches with specific areas for sunbathers, mostly with cones or with markings in the sand, Lloret de Mar is to go one step further before hoping to welcome tourists back by next month.
The two most popular beaches of Lloret and Fenals will be divided into sectors and have limited capacity and controlled access.
Each will have its own services, including extra helpers and lifeguards and bathrooms.
Three sections will be created – one for older people, one for families with children, and one for adults without children, such as couples or groups of friends.
The sector for the elderly will be for couples or individuals and have a double walkway to help with access and an assisted bathing service on request.
Mayor Jaume Dulsat said: “Following the guidelines set by the World Health Organisation, the objective of the plan is to make Lloret de Mar the safest possible destination, fully prepared to receive visitors during the tourist season this summer and without leaving room for improvisation.”
The number of sunbathers on Spain’s very best beaches could be reduced by as much as 90 per cent.
Malaga council on the Costa del Sol is leading the way with an intensive study into how much space each person should be given on the sand to ensure maximum safety.
Beaches in Italy are also considering similar measures with roped-off pathways to the sea, distancing between sunloungers and an end to queues at beach bars are all potential changes that could be enforced.
A more extreme plane includes using “plexiglas boxes” while relaxing on the beach to reduce the spread of coronavirus.
Tourists at Bulgaria’s Sunny Beach could be given free sunloungers and amenities at beaches to encourage them to return post-pandemic.
This article originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced with permission
