CO2 meters and customer IDs ‘mandatory’ for bars and restaurants in Spain’s Balearic Islands

CO₂ metres and identifying each customer are now mandatory rules for bars, cafés and restaurants in the Balearic Islands.

Autonomous regions in Spain are producing ever-more creative ways to control the COVID-19 pandemic while avoiding home lockdowns.

The Balearic Islands has now hit upon the installation of CO₂ metres and recording of customer’s details for the hospitality industry.

The carbon dioxide metres will allow for a quick measurement of how well-ventilated the establishment is – according to Balearic councillor for tourism and labour, Iago Negueruela.

These metres test the ‘purity’ of the air. Poor ventilation will require and establishment to install purifiers, for which the Govern of the Balearic Islands will provide economic support.

Recording each customer’s personal details for 30 days will also allow for swift contact tracing – and potential quarantine – in the event of a COVID-19 outbreak.

A ‘stamp of quality’ will also be designed to distinguish bars, cafés and restaurants that adhere to the rules.

“These measures will help us to keep businesses open,” Negueruela said, adding the Balearic Islands is the only one of Spain’s 17 autonomous communities not to order an earlier closure of bars.