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ARCHIVED - Drones and police patrols monitor revellers in Murcia for the Bando de la Huerta
No parade or barraca bars for the 2021 fiesta but large numbers of people are expected in public gardens
For much of the Costa Cálida Tuesday 6th April marks a return to relative normality after the Easter holidays, but in the city of Murcia the Tuesday following Easter Sunday is usually a red-letter day as tens of thousands of people take to the streets to celebrate the annual “Bando de la Huerta” fiesta.
In 2020, of course, the event did not take place in any form at all as the strict lockdown of the first phase of the coronavirus pandemic was still in place, but this year, despite the threat of an imminent fourth wave of contagion, it is expected that many will be unable to resist the temptation to don their traditional “huertano” costumes and meet up with friends for a picnic or an al fresco meal and a few drinks. There is no traditional parade scheduled and the “barraca” bar/ restaurants which are normally open for the week of the Fiestas de Primavera are again absent, but it is permitted for people to travel to the city from other municipalities and doubtless many will do so.
Of course, some restrictions are still in place concerning the size of gatherings permitted and the formation of large groups, but these rules are likely to be exceptionally difficult to enforce despite the pleas for “prudence and responsibility” from the new Mayor of Murcia, José Antonio Serrano.
Attempting to keep order will be over 650 police officers from the local and national forces, and drones will be deployed to the parks and gardens where families and friends traditionally spend the day, repeating messages regarding the need to maintain public health measures such as social distancing and the wearing of masks.
It could be argued that after the third wave of infection in January, the effects of which are still apparent in the overstretching of resources at Murcia’s hospitals, stricter measures might be introduced in order to reduce the risk of the Bando de la Huerta 2021 becoming a catalyst for a fourth wave. However, the extent to which the third wave has abated has made it possible for restrictions to be lifted, and it can only be hoped that any effect on case numbers in Murcia over the next few weeks will be limited.