The Palma City Council activates a special plan for the solar eclipse on August 12, with traffic restrictions starting at 8:00 AM, a preventive closure of Bellver Forest, and beaches without music or glass. Up to 100,000 people are expected at Playa de Palma.
On August 12, Palma will become the epicentre of solar eclipse observation, but it won't just be about looking at the sky. The City Council of the Balearic capital has announced a security and mobility plan that will affect a large part of the city, especially the Playa de Palma area, where an influx of up to 100,000 people is expected.
Traffic restrictions and controlled access
From 8:00 AM on the day of the eclipse, traffic around Can Pere Antoni and Playa de Palma will be altered. Starting from 12:00 noon, there will be total traffic closures on several roads. Residents and workers in the area will be able to access with a special permit that the City Council will provide.
The aim, as explained by the first deputy mayor, Javier Bonet, is to ensure that the two hospitals in Palma and the airport are not overwhelmed. "We want people who need to access these places to do so without problems," Bonet stated.
Preventive closure of Bellver Forest and measures at beaches
The City Council has decided to close Bellver Forest preventively, a very frequented natural area, to avoid risks of fires or uncontrolled crowds. Additionally, in all the beaches of the municipality, playing music and bringing glass will be prohibited, standard measures during large gatherings to ensure safety and coexistence.
The plan includes a boost to public transport, increased police surveillance, the presence of lifeguards, and a safe corridor for ambulances. "These are specific measures that will last only a few hours. The best news would be that no one talks about this plan," Bonet joked, hoping everything goes smoothly.
For the residents of Palma, the eclipse will be a unique spectacle, but also a day of patience and planning. Those who need to travel to the centre or the beach should inform themselves about the closures and schedules, and opt for public transport or alternative routes. The City Council recommends arriving early and bringing sun protection, water, and of course, certified glasses to view the eclipse.
In summary, Palma is preparing to experience a major astronomical event, but with its feet on the ground: regulated traffic, beaches without noise or glass, and a closed forest. All to allow people to look at the sky without surprises.
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