Orihuela’s Department of Festivities has made the decision this week to cancel the Medieval Market 2022, scheduled to take place between the 4th and 6th of February, due to the “exceptional situation derived from the crisis caused by the avalanche and expansion of infections by this new wave of COVID-19”.
The department considers the event to be “high risk”, due to the large number of people attending, and who may be in close contact, not being able to guarantee the distance and the security measures determined by the health authorities.
“Health and safety comes first,” commented Mariola Rocamora, councillor for Festivities.
The Medieval Market in Orihuela takes place in the historic centre of the city that is made up of narrow streets, with a significant number of visitors and hundreds of artisans from all over the country, objects are shared, drinks and food are consumed, in addition to making use of bars and tables in restaurant areas, with a very high percentage of participants who are standing and in continuous movement throughout the event. To all this must be added that, although the Department of Festivities is aware of individual responsibility, it cannot be guaranteed that everyone respects the established sanitary regulations such as the correct use of the mask, distances, disinfection measures.
The department concludes, “We hope and wish that the Medieval Market of 2023 is the preamble to a new and great celebration”.
