The Formentera Departments of Island Services and the Elderly report a host of maintenance operations are under way at old persons’ clubs across the island. The days ahead will see deep cleans and disinfecting measures at the clubs, including in Sant Francesc and at Casa del Poble.

Crews painted the interior of the Sant Ferran seniors’ centre and upgraded electrical work, with plans on track to replace the centre’s front awning and instal new upholstery for €3,448.50.

Walls at the seniors’ club in Sant Francesc have been fitted with wooden hangers, landscaping work has been carried out at the club in Es Cap, and repairs are in the works for the wood shutters at Casa del Poble.

Photo: Member of Consell maintenance brigade painting Sant Ferran seniors’ club interior.

19 May 2020
Department of Communications
Consell de Formentera

The Formentera Department of Island Services reports that work began today on an initiative to update road surface markings on highway PM-820 stretching from La Savina to La Mola. Crews started at La Mola lighthouse and are scheduled to wrap up three days from now in the town of La Savina.

The department judged the upgrades were a needed change after seven years, and deemed the present moment opportune considering, with highway traffic sparse, a minimum number of  motorists stood to be impacted. Crews will repaint lines and highlight both horizontal road signage and pedestrian crossings. A solid double line will be painted in La Savina, and a solid single line will stretch 200 metres from outside town in the direction of Sant Francesc until past the petrol station.

Pinturas y Señales de Mallorca S.L. is the company responsible for completing the €48.223.49 job.

12 May 2020
Department of Communications
Consell de Formentera

Under an order issued by the president’s office and adopted by the Consell de Formentera in an effort to facilitate the completion of small-scale construction projects, work on those sites can resume provided advance notice is given to local government.

Interested parties are asked to make their declaration on the OVAC at https://ovac.conselldeformentera.cat. In a bid to improve public services for islanders, Formentera’s Department of Territory has updated this and other online formalities since the invocation of emergency orders.

Online formality
According to territory conseller Rafael González, “in a simple process which can be completed online, companies provide a sworn statement to local government and crews can begin work within between one and ten days, depending on each case”. González said the aim was to streamline processing of such permits and “move towards reactivation of the economy in light of the public health crisis”.

At the same time, the Consell will mandate increased inspections on job sites to ensure that guidelines are followed.

Temporary reversal of noise ordinance
As Formentera eases out of confinement, the local noise ordinance has been placed on hold, meaning construction can take place in towns where it has traditionally been banned from 1 May to 15 October.

Construction crews are required to follow orders and directives from health authorities and the action protocol on occupational health that was laid down by the regional government to halt the spread of Covid-19 on Formentera.

11 May 2020
Department of Communications
Consell de Formentera

The Formentera Department of Inspection Services reports that from tomorrow, Monday 11 May, the vehicle roadworthiness test centre—la ITV—will gradually resume service on the island. According to the National Health System’s Order 399/2020 published yesterday, 9 May, in the Official State Gazette (BOE), test centres may reopen during Phase 1 of confinement easing.

Highlighting the aim as “geting the service up and running again as soon as possible”, inspection services conseller Antonio J Sanz  described recent days’ work as “focused on implementing measures to prevent risks at the workplace and getting the ITV station up to snuff in light of Covid-19”. “New appointments can be scheduled from tomorrow”, said Sanz, “with priority for public transport and freight vehicles”.

Drivers who had an appointment that was canceled under emergency orders will be contacted from tomorrow so a new one can be scheduled; they are encouraged not to call. The local government wishes to remind motorists whose roadworthiness certification expired during the state of emergency that they can contact the station via email at itv@conselldeformentera.cat.

New measures will be in place when ITV service resumes:
-Visits are by appointment only.
-Accompanying administrative paperwork will be processed at a drive-up window without direct access to the office.
-Hand sanitiser dispensers have been placed across the entire station, and visitors must wear a mask.

“It’s our intent to progressively resume normal service”, said Conseller Sanz, who also pointed out that roadworthiness certifications that expired during the state of alarm are extended for the duration of emergency orders and in keeping with other previous decrees.

Islanders with questions can telephone the ITV’s appointment hotline (971 32 31 30) from Tuesday.

10 May 2020
Department of Communications
Consell de Formentera