We had planned to spend 6 months in Alcaidesa Marina, Spain getting ready for a fabulous summer season 2020 in the Mediterranean. We've been back to the UK twice, once pre-organised and once due to an sick parent. Our daughter Katrina and family visited in December and we were lucky enough to have Suzie & Robbie staying in Estipona only 30mins away so we stayed with them 3 times. So all in all we have had quite a busy winter.
Then............
We returned from a stay with family in February to start prepping the boat for our summer cruise. Then we started to hear about a virus that had started in China and people were dying, very quickly and it was spreading rapidly. Then the media started to report Italy & Korea had also been hit with it. China went under lockdown and the world was shocked but very rapidly Italy followed suit.The world over had started to listen and act, albeit slowly. We had been advised to wash our hands as often as possible. Also the Chinese had been seen wearing facial respirator masks. Within a couple of days stocks of hand sanitiser, face masks & toilets rolls has disappeared. Panic buying had set in. People were going berserk buying all and any kind of cleaning fluid and toiletries.
On Saturday 14th March Spain went into lockdown. It was quick and swift. We knew it was imminent and the Spanish government decreed that the country was in a state of alert.
Thank goodness for social media. We were able to find out what exactly 'state of alert' meant and how it would affect us. The basis of it is that all social and recreational places such as cafes, restaurants, parks, clubs, pubs, retail shops will close immediately. No two people are allowed out together, no more than one person is allowed per car. The only exceptions to this are children with parents and dog walkers but this was also restricted.
Supermarkets were open but restricted to 10 people at a time. Customers queued outside waiting their turn with guards at the door. There is plenty of food but it's basics like veg, bread, milk etc. No sweets or chocolate - I was not a happy person :(
The Spanish government have authorised the police to hand out 'on-the-spot' fines of €600 to people that are caught on the street unnecessarily. If you need to go out you must have a very good reason i.e. doctors, supermarket, hospital or to visit an elderly person. All of these reasons you must provide evidence if asked.
Is it possible that you can shut down a country as big as Spain in just a couple of days. The answer is YES.
We are now over a week into lockdown. The streets are empty of people, quiet of bustling shoppers and families enjoying their social coffee time. The roads are clear with the exception of a few people going to work. The parks are cordoned off with tape. We have been advised to keep at least 2mtrs between you and another person if you happen to see someone. Businesses have closed their offices and are trying to work from home and this includes the marina.
There is hardly any movement in the marina. A few yachts turned up at the marina taking refuge as many marina's across the world are closed. We have learned in the last day that we are now not allowed to leave the marina and that all recreational sailing has been banned. The 'state of alert' was for an initial 15days and 9 days in the Spanish Government extended that to an additional 15 days. Another berth holder set up a marina Facebook group and called it Alcaidesa Marina Prisoners Community and it's certainly helping to share information.
All during this time I have had shingles across my chest, luckily a mild bout of it and this has helped me with the isolation.
We are happy with our lot, still love life and will continue with our cruising as soon as we are allowed. The world is coming together to beat this awful virus and hopefully we will come out of it a more sharing, kinder & wiser world.
