Music Switched Back On

We've reached  the middle  of June and it's beginning to feel like summer has begun properly. The cafes around the harbour have customers and the boats and cats are bringing visitors to the island in more familiar numbers. It's wonderful to welcome those residents home, who hadn't been able to return sooner because they were locked down in other countries, and to catch up on over a year's worth of news!

Even though the last week brought changeable weather, including a rather exhilarating thunderstorm, temperatures have risen as confirmed by the cicadas in my garden who only start zithering when it reaches 30 degrees.

All the shops, beaches and out & about fun are fully operational again with lots of planned events such as the Miaoulia Festival, Museum events, DESTE and Hydra School Project exhibitions confirmed. (See the What's On Calendar for dates, etc.)

There are still limitations and restrictions but as you will see below, it's getting easier to feel closer to the 2019 normality on Hydra.

As of Saturday, 12 June 2021:

Music at restaurants, bars and cafes is allowed again outside for venues that host seated customers. (€5000 fine for 1st violation, a 15-day suspension of operation for 2nd violation.)

The night curfew will shorten by one hour and be in force between 01:30-05:00. The curfew will remain in place until the end of June.

The audience capacity for venues hosting live shows and theatre performances in outdoor spaces will increase to 75%. At all events, mask-wearing is mandatory.

Also, from July the limit of guests at weddings and baptisms will rise from 100 to 300.

Mask-wearing (over mouth and nose) when walking around outside and if you go inside is still mandatory. This is still the most hated and onerous requirement but is proven to be vital in the battle to keep the number of cases down so the hospitals aren't over-burdened. The last thing anyone wants is for the season to be shortened by having to go into lockdown again!

Wearing your mask as a chin strap or elbow protector does not count and you could be fined €300. This preventative measure applies to everyone whether vaccinated or not. The purpose is to reduce the risk of droplets containing the virus from spreading more widely especially now when people have to  speak louder to be heard over music or when they call to each other when separated in a crowd or walking along the harbour. Please respect this requirement and comply to help keep Hydra Covid free this summer so everyone can enjoy themselves.

Keep safe and have fun on Hydra, regards, Kelsey