The Palma City Council activates a comprehensive operation for August 12, with traffic cuts in Platja de Palma and an information phone line for attendees.
The Palma City Council presented this Friday the special device designed to ensure safety and the normal functioning of the city during the solar eclipse on August 12. The mayor, Jaime Martínez Llabrés, detailed the measures at a press conference held at the Central Fire Station, where the first deputy mayor, Javier Bonet; the councillor for Citizen Security and Civility, Llorenç Bauzá; the chief of the Local Police, Guillem Mascaró; and the fire chief, Eder García, also participated.
The aim, as explained by the mayor, is to “balance the attendance of thousands of people with the usual functioning of the city,” so that strategic infrastructures such as the airport, the port of Palma, and the Son Espases and Son Llàtzer hospitals can operate normally. The operation has been developed over months with the Balearic Government, the Government Delegation, the General Directorate of Traffic, security forces, and emergency services.
“We want people to remember August 12 for enjoying a unique natural phenomenon and not because any incidents occurred that we can all avoid with planning, responsibility, and collaboration,” Martínez Llabrés pointed out, stressing the need to follow the instructions of the Local Police, Civil Protection, and Firefighters at all times.
Traffic Restrictions
The device includes the closure of the first line of Platja de Palma from 08:00 hours and, starting at 12:00 hours, the closure of exits 6, 7A, and 8 of the Ma-19. Additionally, police controls will be established at exits 10 and 11 of this road and at other strategic points in the area. The restrictions will only affect private vehicles, including motorcycles, but will not prevent access on foot, by public transport, or for those with justified reasons, such as residents, users of health centres, families picking up minors from summer schools, or relatives of people in elderly care centres.
The mayor reminded that these individuals can access by proving their situation with an ID card, a rental contract, a medical certificate, or other documentation. Workers of establishments within the affected perimeter and customers with private parking will also be allowed entry, provided they have the QR code enabled by the City Council. Martínez Llabrés urged businesses that have not yet completed this process to do so “as soon as possible,” as requests must be validated in advance by the Municipal Civil Protection Service.
Recommendations for Attendees
The City Council has called for responsibility among those attending Platja de Palma. Among the recommendations is the use of certified glasses to observe the eclipse, taking extra precautions with minors, the elderly, and vulnerable groups, keeping the environment clean, respecting emergency access, and avoiding risky behaviours such as lighting bonfires or setting off fireworks.
Additionally, an information phone line has been set up, 696 27 98 04, staffed by Local Police agents integrated into the operation. The service will be available on August 10 and 11, from 9:00 to 13:00 and from 16:00 to 20:00, and on August 12 it will operate continuously from 9:00 to 21:00. The number only accepts calls and will serve to resolve queries about access, mobility, accreditations, and other aspects of the operation.
The day of the eclipse, which is expected to attract large crowds to Palma beach, will require heightened coordination between administrations and security forces. The City Council insists that citizen collaboration will be key to ensuring everything proceeds without incidents.
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