Ibiza's party season in danger of being wiped out until 2021 as region 'can't cope' with social distancing

IBIZA'S famous party season is at risk of being cancelled until 2021 as the region cannot cope with social distancing rules.

Manager of the Ibiza Leisure Association, José Luis Benítez said it would be "impossible" to enforce social distancing in discos as required by the Spanish government, unlike in cinemas, bars and restaurants.

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And he warned: "The future of clubs in Ibiza is no longer at stake, it's the entire island."

Speaking on the chat programme Televisió d'Eivissa i Formentera, Mr Benitez said the clubbing scene could take illegally to private villas and hidden spots in the mountains which would hit hard as it would take away huge income and produce "not a euro" for Ibiza.

Even so, clubs aren't prepared to give up just yet and if a solution could be found, they could get ready to open within a period of ten days.

He said: "If there is no vaccine against the coronavirus, the clubs will not be able to open.

"We haven't thrown in the towel with the season but it will be difficult to open up because we cannot keep our distances like in the cinema or in other bars or cafes.

"If the situation changed or there were government guidelines that would be more favourable to us, the large nightclubs are prepared to open with all security measures within a maximum period of ten days."

He ruled out imitating or importing systems from other countries which are using strict control measures, including the wearing of mask. 

"There are those who speak of doing as in China but the Spanish are very different and it would not be feasible to think about what is being done, for example, in Greece because there they do not have large nightclubs or tourism like ours.

"One option would be the opening in winter to reduce losses if flights were available from different parts of Europe. 

"It is something that could be in the study phase as long as administrations and airlines commit to streamline flights from outside our borders because eighty percent of our customers and consumers are foreigners,"  he told the BNP programme.

"The other option is to open in April of next year, bringing forward the opening parties, and making it a wonderful Easter for everyone."

Ibiza club owner Phil Mandelbaum previously said smaller bars and clubs could face permanent closure if the busy tourist season fails to pick up in the next few months.

He told the Guardian: "You’ll see 15 bars along the same street as one of the main clubs, places that only open in the summer and stay afloat because people stop there for a drink on the way to a club.

"That’s a big part of Ibiza, the small bars and the shops. I’m expecting many of them to disappear."

Eery photos show the party paradise completely deserted.