Mallorca drops nearly all coronavirus restrictions

The Spanish island of Mallorca has scrapped nearly all coronavirus restrictions.

Only the obligation to wear masks indoors, which still applies throughout Spain, and the ban on smoking in outdoor areas of restaurants, remain in place.

The order was published on Tuesday in the Official Gazette of the Balearic Islands, which lie off the east coast of mainland Spain and also include Ibiza.

Mallorca is a top holiday travel destination for British, German and other European tourists.

The spokesman of the regional government, Iago Negueruela, had earlier justified the lifting of the measures by citing positive trends in the island's infection figures and the high vaccination rate.

Restrictions abolished

Numerous restrictions have now been abolished, including limits on patrons at restaurants and nightlife venues, as well as at cultural and sporting events.

Many of the restrictions to contain the pandemic had already been eased on the Balearic Islands.

The number of new infections per 100,000 inhabitants within seven days was 170 on the Balearic Islands, compared to more than 1,400 a month ago. By way of comparison, the figure for Spain as a whole was 207 on Tuesday.