The regional government is to close the borders of Andalucía from midnight on Thursday (12am on Friday 30 October) for ten days, until 9 November. No one will be permitted to leave or enter the region unless they have a valid reason.

The president of the Junta de Andalucía, Juanma Moreno, made the announcement on Wednesday evening after a meeting with the committee of experts who are advising the authority, on measures to control the spread of Covid-19.

Bars to close at 10.30pm

Moreno also announced that the current night curfew would remain as established by the central government on Sunday, between 11pm and 6am. Bars and restaurants will have to close at 10.30pm.

Provincial borders will also be closed in Jaén, Seville and Granada, as well as those of 448 municipalities in the region.

These include the Vega de Málaga health district in the north of the province of Malaga which comprises Alameda, Almargen, Antequera, Archidona, Campillos, Cañete la Real, Cuevas Bajas, Cuevas de San Marcos, Fuente de Piedra, Humilladero, Mollina, Sierra de Yeguas, Teba, Valle de Abdalajís, Villanueva de Algaidas, Villanueva de la Concepción, Villanueva de Tapia, Villanueva del Rosario and Villanueva del Trabuco.

Gatherings limited to six people

Family and social gatherings limited to six people, unless they are from the same household, is another of the restrictions listed on Wednesday.

"Nothing will be as it was," said Moreno, calling for the maximum collaboration of the general public. This is the most serious situation we have ever faced, he said.

Moreno had hinted earlier this week that Andalucía would close its borders to prevent the expected influx of visitors for this coming All Saints holiday weekend.

The measures come after the central government declared a new state of alarm on Sunday, imposing the nighttime curfew on the entire country, except for the Canaries.