‘We were out on a beautiful Friday evening... then the music stopped’

Alan and Brenda Carre relocated to what they described as the perfect life in the popular expat haven of Los Alcazares on the Costa Calida in October 2019, but on Friday 13 March everything changed.

‘We were out on a beautiful Friday evening enjoying a drink and listening to singers when they stopped the music for an announcement that we were to be immediately locked down,’ said Mr Carre.

‘No one at the time realised just how serious a situation we were in and within the hour the music had stopped and every cafe, bar, restaurant and shop was busy stacking chairs and tables, closing shutters and locking up.

‘The news quickly circulated that people who had been diagnosed in the city of Madrid with the virus were making their way down to the coast to holiday homes and hotels here, so our local government decided immediately to lock us down.’

He said it was a shock to a town just getting back on its feet in the aftermath of flooding caused by two storms at the end of 2019 and now nobody could visit, while others were unable to leave.

‘My next-door neighbour is stuck here in his holiday home and can’t get back,’ Mr Carre added.

‘The rest of the houses on our road, all 16 are empty as owners can’t get back here either.

‘Luckily we do have warm sunshine so we can sit out on our terraces, unless a policeman shouts at you to get inside.

‘We are not allowed out for walks or exercise and if police see you out you are quickly turned around and sent home.’

Concern for care homes in the country was also raised.

‘We live opposite a residential home and there is much concern,’ he said.

‘Every week here a team turns up and disinfects all the walls, roads and pavements surrounding the home and along the road in front of our houses.

‘Practically everyone is wearing a mask, especially staff in supermarkets and pharmacies.

‘All these precautions are welcomed and appreciated by the public and we all agree the prompt lockdown has undoubtedly saved lives as we don’t yet have reported cases or deaths in our area.’

As a consequence, Mr Carre said he remained hopeful for the future, despite not knowing when the lockdown would end.

‘We will have had nearly a month of necessary lockdown and we are hearing it is likely to be extended to 26 April, but it is not yet confirmed,’ he said.

‘It is to be hoped that, before too long, we can return to sun, sea and sangria.’