The President of the Generalitat, Ximo Puig, announced yesterday after the meeting of the Interdepartmental Table for Prevention and Action against COVID-19, the extension of the current measures to curb the COVID-19 pandemic until March 1.
The president has justified the decision taken in which "the evolution of the data is positive" but the situation "still not good". In addition, Ximo Puig alluded to the data and indicators of the incidence of the coronavirus in the Valencian Community, as well as the recommendation of the experts, and the warning made to Spain by the World Health Organization that the current restrictions must be maintained.
During his speech, he assured that the restrictions "they limit rights and create unfair situations", but nevertheless "They can't relax because I wouldn't be responsible"Therefore "they will last as long as necessary".
The head of the Consell highlighted the great effort made by Valencian society in the last two weeks that according to "It has resulted in encouraging results".
In this sense, he pointed out that during the last 15 days of restrictions there has been a 39% decrease in hospitalizations; already less than 3.000, and the incidence has been reduced by 41%, with a drop of 682 points, which means registering 777 cases per 100.000 inhabitants.
It also highlighted that currently hospital discharges "almost tripled" the new cases in this last week, that is to say that for each new positive 2,5 discharges are registered; and in the last 10 days the number of people sick with COVID-19 has been reduced by 30.000, as well as the number of hospitalized by 2.000, in 17 days.
In addition, he also explained that in large cities perimeter on weekends, the fall in incidence is around 40% on average in the last 15 days.
For all this, Puig insists that the measures are working "in a faster way than we could expect", and in this sense urges society to maintain hope because, as stated, "not all days are the same".
The meeting of the interdepartmental commission was attended by the vice president and councilor for Equality and Inclusive Policies, Mónica Oltra; the second vice president and minister of Housing and Bioclimatic Architecture, Rubén Martínez Dalmau; the Minister of Justice, Interior and Public Administration, Gabriela Bravo; the Minister of Education, Culture and Sports, Vicent Marzà; the Minister for Universal Health and Public Health, Ana Barceló, and the Regional Minister for Sustainable Economy, Productive Sectors, Trade and Labor, Rafa Climent, and for Territorial Policy, Public Works and Mobility, Arcadi Spain.
Plan Resistir and new aid to the tourism sector
During the press conference, the president made reference to the Resist Plan with which the Generalitat is trying to compensate the sectors most affected by the restrictions to stop the pandemic, and recalled that it is endowed with more than 400 million euros in direct aid.
Puig has assured to understand the discomfort of those affected and therefore has insisted that the Generalitat will compensate them in the "most agile and efficient way possible", because as he has stated "we have to save lives and also save freelancers, SMEs and jobs".
In this sense, it has announced that this afternoon, the Official Gazette of the Generalitat has published a new package of aid aimed at the tourism sector. The new grants have 18 million euros that will reach 5.000 companies dedicated to accommodation, travel agencies, restaurants, music festivals and other companies, who will be able to request them from February 22.
Vaccination process
Regarding the vaccination process, which he has referred to as "the great asset to overcome the pandemic" and "the door of hope", the president has highlighted that more than 210.000 doses have already been administered in the Valencian Community. Likewise, it has ensured that, at the end of this week, 100.000 Valencians and Valencians will have already received the 2 doses.
In addition, the head of the Consell has assured that "much progress is being made in the protection of the most vulnerable people" and that as of next week the vaccination will begin and will be completed in the Day Centers, as well as of the elderly 90 years old and large dependents.
