STATE OF ALARM UPDATES
STATE OF ALARM - WHAT YOU CAN AND CAN NOT DO
PHASE 1, WHAT YOU CAN AND CAN NOT DO
PHASE 3 - INFORMATION - This may change
15th June
70% of Spain Enters Phase 3 Today but Regions want to Restrict Mobility.
When the 6th and final extension to Spain’s state of alarm was approved, responsibility for the decision on whether to allow free movement was handed to regional governments. With the final extension to the state of alarm ending on Sunday, when free movement will be possible across the entire country.
However in the meantime, some regions are struggling more with the pandemic than others and although infections and mortalities are on the decline, many feel they are not completely ready to re-open.
Some regions that are favoured by tourists such as Andalusia, the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands have all chosen to delay the opening of night-time bars and clubs on the basis they could become focal points for corona infections.
Many fear a repeat of the situation that happened in South Korea, where an outbreak of the virus in nightclubs in May forced part of the country back into lockdown.
The economic cost of the corona pandemic weighs heavily on Spain’s bank balance. However, there are serious concerns that a 2nd wave of the virus could hit the economy even harder, which is why many regions want to go through de-escalation at a slower pace. As reported in the EuroWeeklyNews and other Spanish press
13th June
On June 21st at midnight, the last extension to the congressionally approved state of alarm will expire, and Spain will enter “the new normality” This normality will reflect the guidelines set out by a recent government decree and by additional norms to be established by the regions.
For instance, face masks will remain compulsory in closed spaces or when it is not possible to keep a distance of 1.5 meters between people. But citizens will be able to move freely across the Spanish territory, which is currently still not possible without justification. And in the event of future outbreaks, only the affected areas may be placed under lockdown.
12th June
The health minister of Spain, Salvador Illa, has announced the areas that will change phases on Monday 15th June, in a press conference this afternoon.
From Phase 2 to Phase 3
Castilla-La Mancha: Ciudad Real, Toledo and Albacete.
Castilla y León: León, Zamora, Palencia, Valladolid and Burgos.
Cataluña: Girona and Catalunya Central.
Comunitat Valenciana (all 3 provinces)
Ceuta
Remember, if your area isn’t mentioned, you will stay in the phase you are currently in. Please see map.
10th June
Ministry of Health is currently considering readjusting the mandatory quarantine period in Spain and shortening it from 14 days to 10.
THE Director of the Coordination Centre for Health Alerts and Emergencies of the Ministry of Health in Spain, Fernando Simon, has announced that there is increasingly more “scientific evidence” which proves that people with mild coronavirus symptoms no longer transmit the disease after the seventh day.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has also recommended shortening this quarantine period.
However, this measure is still being evaluated before any final decisions are made. Spain hopes to discover which is the “safer” option which can guarantee a more controlled evolution of the epidemic.
Simon has also reminded that using masks in public spaces is an effective measure to lower the risk of transmission, however, he affirms that the best “mask” is to ensure you respect the two-metre safety distance between people.
7th June
The Spanish Government to Announce New Regulations if a Coronavirus Vaccine is not Available
New regulations look set to be approved by the Spanish Government on Tuesday that will ensure that until a vaccine or remedy against Covid-19 is found certain protocols will have to be followed until well after the lockdown is finished.
These new regulations will be maintained for the complete duration of the coronavirus emergency, the proposed plan is that from June 21, the autonomous governments will be responsible for enforcing these regulations and having contingency plans in the event of a new outbreak
Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, has released just some details some of the rules.
Masks will be mandatory from the age of six.
Measures to limit the number of people in classrooms, places of work, and business premises
The Government has authorised the Spanish Medicines Agency to allow the manufacture of new types of safety equipment.
Autonomous communities will have to have contingency plans in place for outbreaks, to detect them promptly and trace contacts
Finally, Anyone suspected of Covid-19 MUST have a PCR test.
Mass gatherings will, therefore, will be limited, which will affect fairs, pilgrimages, and other types of recreational events
The full and final list will be published Tuesday 9th June. as reported by the EuroWeeklyNews
3rd June
Today President Sanchez has won the vote to keep the state of alarm in place until June 21, with 177 votes in favor.
Sánchez announced to lawmakers during the session that the Cabinet will next week approve a Royal Decree that will unite all of the measures and health regulations that will be in place as Spain exits the crisis, and that will be implemented jointly with the country’s regional governments until a vaccine against the Covid-19 disease is available.
2nd June
IN a press conference today, Spain’s Health Minister Salvador Illa, stated that the use of face masks and social distancing, must be maintained in the “new normal” phase, once Phase 3 of de-escalation has finished.
In addition, Illa insisted that it is “essential for the public to continue to follow hygiene and protection recommendations” such as “regular hand washing”, to “avoid infection”.
Spain is finally walking towards the “new normal”, with many regions expecting to secure access to Phase 3 of de-escalation next week. The de-escalation process will end after individual regional premiers decide that their communities are ready to move from Phase 3 to the “new normal”, which is when Spain’s residents will be able to move freely between regions
Puig rules out requesting next Monday the pass to phase 3 of the de-escalation
The President of the Generalitat considers that it is better to wait to ensure a safer health framework and will delay the request, at least, until Monday, June 15 for the entire Community
The head of the Consell, Ximo Puig, is in favor of strengthening the health framework before precipitating a final decision. "We are going to remain in a state of prudence," he said when asked about this matter during a public event in Valencia .
The autonomous administration, which will have control of the de-escalation from that phase once the State ends the single command, considers that the data is positive but wants to continue in talks with the Ministry of Health and analyze the evolution of the end of week, the first in phase 2, before making a final resolution . So on Monday it would be discarded to take that step and, as soon as possible, the request would be for Monday June 15, always for the whole of the autonomous territory without division between provinces
"The rigorous image of the Valencian Community is positive. We want a safe Mediterranean and offer the greatest possible security," said the head of the Consell, who insisted on reinforcing sanitary measures to "advance firmly but without accelerating more than necessary " . The idea of the Generalitat is to guarantee safety as the most important element and request a phase change when it can be done " with all the consequences ".
The Valencian administration continues to study measures, especially to facilitate mobility throughout the territory of the Community without the provincial brace as an element of limitation. "We want to end the provincial barriers in the movement as soon as possible," explained the president, although, at the moment, the most important thing is to continue on the path of " prudence and rigor .
Spain’s Government has announced this evening that residents will not be able to travel to other communities/regions of the country in Phase 3 of de-escalation.
THEY will now have to wait “until the new normal”, confirmed Health Minister Salvador Illa. Today’s message contradicts yesterday’s announcement made by the Transport Minister José Luis Ábalos, who said that it would be possible for autonomous communities in Phase 3 to establish mobility “between communities that are in the same phase”.
Although regional premiers can decide whether or not to allow mobility between provinces within their own regions in Phase 3 of de-escalation, movement between different communities cannot take place until the “new normal” is reached, clarified Illa in today’s press conference.
31st May
SPAIN’S Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez will ask for a sixth and final extension to the coronavirus crisis state of alarm.
Sixth and final state of alarm “more easy going” and could end early in some regions Spain’s Prime Minister promises
Sanchez confirmed to the heads of the country’s regional governments in a videoconference meeting this morning that the Cabinet will next Tuesday approve the request for Congress to back extending the state of alarm for a further fortnight until June 21.
According to reports the Prime Minister told the regional presidents that the health authorities and experts had recommended limiting movement for an additional two weeks.
But he also explained that during this period it will be their administrations which have “absolute governance” and the responsibility for managing the de-escalation. Also, that the regional governments will participate in decision-making on the administration of European funds for reconstruction.
These are conditions which allowed for the Prime Minister to negotiate pacts with two regional parties to prepare the ground for the new extension to get through Congress on Wednesday.
The left-wing, pro-Catalan independence ERC will abstain in the vote and the PNV Basque nationalist party will vote in favour.
If Congress does back the extension next week, from June 8 it would be the regional presidents who have the “maximum responsibility” for managing the de-escalation in each part of the country.
“From June 8,” the prime minister continued on Sunday, “with more than half the country in Phase 3, it will be the regional premiers who decide how to manage the speed [of the coronavirus deescalation], including phase changes and their duration. We are moving from co-governance to full governance.” When the regions are in Phase 3, the last of the four deescalation stages, they will also recover powers over mobility.
29th May - READ ALL PHASE 2 INFORMATION HERE
70% of the Spanish population will be in phase 2 of the de-escalation on Monday 1st June
The Valencia Region, part of Catalonia, Granada, Malaga, Albacete, Ciudad Real and Toledo will advance from stage 1 The Ministry of Health has not accepted the additional permits requested by Madrid in phase 1
The Ministry of Health has approved the passage to phase 2 of the de -escalation of several provinces and sanitary areas, so that starting next Monday, June 1, 70 percent of the country will already be in this phase. While four islands will go to phase 3 and the measures established for this last phase will be published in the BOE next Saturday. Another 15 million Spaniards, mainly the community of Madrid, Barcelona and Castilla y León, will continue in phase 1 .
The provinces and sanitary areas that pass to phase 2 are the following:
In Castilla y León the Bierzo region passes .
In Catalonia , the health area of central Catalonia, Girona, and the Alto Penedés and Garraf will do so .
In Castilla-La Mancha spend Albacete, Ciudad Real and Toledo .
In the Valencian Community , the three provinces.
In Andalusia , Granada and Malaga pass , which are the only ones left and the entire community is already in phase 2.
In Murica , Totana passes, which was the only town that remained to reach that phase.
And phase 3 passes 4 islands.
In the Balearic Islands : Formentera.
In the Canary Islands : La Graciosa, Gomera and El Hierro
26th May
Sánchez will ask for a last extension of the state of alarm, which will take us to the end of June
Vice President Carmen Calvo announced yesterday in Congress that the Government plans to request "a last extension" of the state of alarm to complete the de-escalation process if it succeeds in having "a majority" of the deputies approve it. Number two of the Moncloa considers that it is necessary to reform the health legislation as soon as possible without "recentralizing" regional powers, in order to be able to respond with ordinary regulations to a possible outbreak of Covid-19 in the coming months and not have to go to the state of alarm.
The President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, suggested on Sunday in the telematic appointment of the Conference of Autonomous Presidents that he was anticipating the possibility that the state of alarm would only apply in the communities that are lagging the most in de-escalation and could be raised in those that complete the three phases. Sort of like an asymmetric alarm state.
25th May
The Spanish government is planning on lifting the two-week coronavirus quarantine requirement for overseas arrivals on July 1. The decision was taken at an inter-ministerial meeting held today via video conference call.
23rd May
The President has confirmed that the 8th of June will start the Spanish Football Championship.
21st May
The Mayor of Benidorm on Spain’s Costa Blanca is demanding transparency after Ministry of Health announced it will not apply for Phase 2 of relaxed lockdown at this moment.
TONI PEREZ, today said there is a “lack of transparency” and “demanded information” from the Ministry of Health after Ana Barcelo yesterday announced “no municipality, territory, province or area of health within Valencia Community” will be put forward for Phase 2 of Spain’s de-escalation.
He said: “We want to think that there are some data and indicators that support and back up this decision, but the one who has the information is the Generalitat Valenciana and the Ministry of Health, not the municipalities.”
Perez added: “In the case of Benidorm, we lack that information because the Council does not share it, but we would like to know what the health situation is in our town, being an issue that affects our neighbors, and that would certainly help to better manage and take action if there is some aspect to correct.” As reported in the EuroWeeklyNews
20th May
FROM THURSDAY 21ST MAY.
It is a legal requirement that people wear masks in the street, and enclosed spaces....when the required minimum safe distance of 2 metres cannot be maintained.
The ministerial order to extend their use will be published in the Official State Gazette (BOE) today. Once published, face masks will become obligatory in businesses and closed public spaces. There will also be further clarity on when they should be used on the street.
Face masks compulsory from Thursday 21st May - Questions and answers
20th May
President of government, Pedro Sanchez, has got enough pre approval from other parties to obtain another 15 day extension to Spain's state of alarm. The extra 15 days will run from when the current date period runs out at midnight on 24th May.
This has been debated in congress today and approved with a majority of 177 votes , and becomes law when it appears in the Boletin de estado. The new state of alarm will run until June 7th.
Updates 20th May
Late Tuesday evening the health department of the Valencian government sent a message to central government requesting that our region remain at phase one for an extra seven days......Before the whole region then moves on to phase two.
The coronavirus transmission rate, which in a few days has gone from 0.66% to 0.88% in our region after increasing the general mobility of the population, has weighed on the decision taken, but it is also stated that there is no cause for alarm.
It was stated at the very beginning that the dates for the different phases were not fixed, but dependent on health data.
It is central government that will make the final decision, but they are unlikely to turn down a request from regional government for extra safety.
18th May
Spain’s Government has announced that it plans to reactivate tourism by the end of June to coincide with the end of the State of Alarm.
ACCORDING to the Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda Minister Jose Luis Abalos, “if the de-escalation goes well, we plan to reactivate the tourism sector by the end of June”. During a press conference today, he stated that “the focus would initially be on national tourism to reactivate the sector”. However, he hoped that by the end of June, nationals can travel between provinces and regions – “and when that happens, Spain can also open the doors to international tourism”, he added.
“However, it is vital to ensure healthy tourism experiences with strict health and safety protocols,” pointed out Abalos. He stressed that the Government was “not going to impose restrictions on airlines, such as forcing them to leave a middle seat empty”. Nevetheless, he advised airlines to “avoid overcrowding and try to ensure that social distances could be respected”.
Abalos also defended the 14-day quarantine measures for travellers (Spanish or international) for people entering Spain during the State of Alarm, which was announced last week. But the Government is optimistic that tourism can be reactivated by the end of next month.
17th May
In the next few days, The Government will be looking to approve the mandatory use of face masks in public places, as explained by the Minister of Finance and Government Spokesperson, María Jesús Montero, at a press conference.
María Jesús Montero, explained that the public health department has been studying the use of masks for several weeks, suggesting that this will be “regulated” in the coming days. Illa also added that the order regulating the use of masks would be within a matter of hours, also having said that there wouldn’t be any concrete details until after another videoconference meeting with regional government representatives on Monday. “Until the order is decided, I will not be giving any advance information.”
In addition, she stated that, for the municipalities with less than 10,000 inhabitants, the exercise times will be eliminated, as it already is for those towns with less than 5,000 inhabitants.
17th May Phase 2 updates
Following the publication last night of the BOE, the following activities will be allowed to regions passing to Phase II.
We should add that our area is due to enter Phase II in just over one week, next Monday, 25 May, (but it is possible that Alicante will not be able to start at the same time as it will not have completed two weeks in phase 1)
SOCIAL GATHERINGS
Weddings will be allowed (100 outside or 50 inside) and funerals (25 people)
Social meetings may increase to 15
Bars and restaurants may start to use the interior of their business premises (40% capacity) but discotecas and night bars may not open
Moving to second homes will be allowed, in the same province only
Active and natural tourism will be allowed up to 20 people, maintaining 2m social distance
SPORTS GATHERINGS
Sports people or walkers under 70 years of age may now undertake sports at any times EXCEPT for those allocated to older people (10.00-12.00 and 19.00-20.00)
Training in groups of up to 15 will be allowed, as will technical meetings of the same number, providing that distance is kept
Gymnasiums will have strict protocols, which are detailed. Must have appointment, 30% capacity, only 2 may train together, equipment must be cleaned between use, etc...
Sports people may not generally share material
Professional league competitions will be allowed, with restrictions
Swimming pools, beaches and covered installations will be permitted to open, providing that the health situation permits
LEISURE AND BUSINESS
Hotels and tourist complexes may open with 30% capacity
Cultural and meeting centres, including cinemas and theatres, may open with fixed seating and a third capacity
Commercial centres may start to re-open with 40% capacity, but you may not remain in communal and recreational areas (communal areas limited to 30%)
Businesses with space of more than 400m2 may be allowed to re-open in a restricted space (no appointment needed, but limited capacity)
Congress and business meetings of up to 50 allowed, always maintaining social distancing.
More open market stalls may open
Bars and restaurants may start to use the interior of their business premises (40% capacity)
Visits to some residential centres for disabled will be allowed, providing that the centre has no cases
It is likely that there will be more details and clarifications, this is a quick summary.
16th May Updates
The prime minister Pedro Sánchez announced in his weekly statement to the country that his government would request one more extension to the state of alarm. “This extension will be different,” he said. “It is expected to be the last state of alarm. We are going to request in the Congress of Deputies that it lasts for a month until 24th June (midnight).” The current state of alarm in Spain is due to expire on May 24.
15th May Updates
From Monday, the 18th The entire province of Alicante will be in phase 1 of the de-escalation as announced by the Ministry of Health that has given the go-ahead to the progress of the areas that were left last week in phase 0, including the cities of Alicante and Elche.
The Ministry begins to value Alicante, Valencia and Castellón as provinces and not as health departments, so movements between municipalities of the same province are allowed.
It is about to clarify whether Health has also given its approval to some singularities that the Valencian Government requested in its latest proposal to Health to go to phase 1, such as postponing the meetings of up to ten people in the health department of La Ribera due to their "singularity", and also delay "prudence" throughout the territory the holding of cultural events in the open air of less than 200 people.
For now, the Madrid region and the city of Barcelona will remain in Phase 0,
8th May
Phase 1 of the de-escalation - Marina Baixa included, other areas are not so lucky
Alicante and Elche do not pass on Monday to phase 1 of the de-escalation
The Ministry of Health only authorizes Alcoy, Dénia, Marina Baixa , (which includes BENIDORM), Elda, Orihuela and Torrevieja to advance in phase. The city of Valencia is not authorized to advance.
The cities of Alicante and Elche are left out of the de-escalation, each one divided into two health departments. Situation that also affects its regions. The city of Valencia is also not authorized to advance to phase 1. READ MORE HERE
8th May
Benidorm hotels are preparing safety plans, ready for when thy are allowed limited opening, to service the needs of Spanish based visitors
The minister of health Salvador Illa, has confirmed that he is working with regional governments of some of the hotter regions of Spain, to modify the times that children can go out with parents.
We could find out more in the government "boletin" (BOE) that we are expecting this weekend.
6th May CONFIRMED
The Spanish Congress has voted to officially extend the ‘state of alarm’ lockdown until 24 May (midnight). Votes in favour of the extension were 178, against 75. Further details to follow.
Spain also continues with the ‘four phase de-escalation plan’ of gradually lifting lockdown restrictions, depending on the progress of each region.
It is expected that further measures to gradually lift restrictions will be proposed over the coming days in addition to those currently listed below for all phases, depending on each region of Spain.
Spain has 17 different autonomous regions, and 2 autonomous cities...The state of alarm enables centralised control over all of those, so that the gradual easing of quarantine measures can be coordinated according to health conditions.
At the moment, more official relaxing of restrictions to allow further passengers in private cars and other non-freight vehicles will come into effect from 10 May (midnight), during Phase One (see below), depending if the region has moved to that phase.
3rd May - The President Pedro Sánchez will be requesting a fourth extension to the state of alarm until May 25th
The announcement was made on Saturday that the request will be put to the vote of the Congress of Deputies on Wednesday morning, and, if approved, will keep the lockdown in place until May 25th.
Unlike the previous requests, however, on this occasion there is no guarantee that the government will achieve the necessary support to carry out the extension.
Information on the different phases updated 3rd May - Here is a summary of what is known so far about the four phases:
Sources from the Spanish Health Ministry on Saturday provided more details about the deescalation of coronavirus confinement measures, explaining that during Phase 1, which will begin on May 11 in provinces that meet the set requirements, up to 10 people will be able to meet either in the open air or in their homes, provided that they maintain an interpersonal distance of two meters. They will also be required to respect hygiene measures such as handwashing.
PHASE 0: DEPARTURE OF MINORS AND WALKS
On Monday May 4, the whole country will be in Phase 0, and some select businesses will be able to open their doors to the public. The Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez earlier today explained that businesses, such as bookshops, hardware stores, hairdressers, garages, etc, will be able to open if they can accept customers by appointment only, limiting one customer to one employee. Restaurants will also be able to take orders by phone or over the internet, but for collection only. The elderly and those in vulnerable situations will be given priority, and they will also benefit from a separate timetable to avoid the risk of Covid-19 contagion
During Phase 0 of the deescalation, which will begin on Monday, minor construction projects will be permitted, including the refurbishment of housing and commercial premises. Such work will have to be carried out in conditions that guarantee the safety of workers and residents, and they will not be permitted if there are people living in the said properties. Laborers will not be permitted to use the common areas of the building where the work is taking place.
Retail outlets of up to 400 square meters in size will have to offer timetables for the over-65s. These will coincide with the set time for walks for seniors, which from today run from 10am to 12pm, and 7pm to 8pm.
Purchases (not including food and other essential items) will have to be made within each person’s municipality, although in smaller areas where a certain item is not available, trips to nearby areas will be permitted.
Establishments will also have to be cleaned twice a day, all uniforms will have to be washed after their use, bathrooms cannot be used unless it is essential, and fitting rooms will have to be cleaned after each use.
Employees will not be able to work if they have coronavirus symptoms nor if they are in quarantine after having been in contact with someone who has Covid-19
Phase 0. This will involve the opening of “small chinks” of economic activity. Citizens will be able to book appointments at establishments where individual attention is possible, such as at the hairdressers or to collect food to take away from a restaurant.
1st May - FACE MASKS mandatory on public transport from Monday 4th May.
Article 1. Use of masks in the means of transport.
1. The use of masks that cover the nose and mouth will be mandatory for all users of bus, rail, air and sea transportation. In the case of passengers on ships and boats, the use of masks will not be necessary when they are in their cabin.
It will also be mandatory for users of public passenger transport in vehicles of up to nine seats, including the driver.
2. Transport service workers who have direct contact with travelers must be provided with masks and have access to hydro-alcoholic solutions to practice frequent hand hygiene.
Article 2. Conditions of occupancy of vehicles in ground transportation.
1. In private private and supplementary private transport of people in vehicles of up to nine seats, including the driver, two people can move for each row of seats, provided they wear masks and respect the maximum possible distance between the occupants. There has been a lot of confusion over this section of the document but it is referring to private cabs , mini buses and coaches. NOT your car! changes to those rules do NOT take place until 11th May in Phase 1, updates will be provided once confirmed.
2. In public passenger transport in vehicles of up to nine seats, including the driver, two people may move for each additional row of seats compared to that of the driver, and in any case the maximum possible distance between its occupants must be guaranteed.
3. In vehicles in which, due to their technical characteristics, only one row of seats is available, as in the case of cabins for heavy vehicles, vans, or others, a maximum of two people may travel, provided that their occupants use masks that cover the airways and keep as much distance as possible.
Otherwise, only the driver may travel.
4. In the regular, discretionary and complementary public public transport of passengers by bus, as well as in rail transport, in which all occupants must be seated, companies shall take the necessary measures to ensure the maximum possible separation between passengers, in such a way that no more than half of the available seats may be occupied with respect to the maximum allowed.
In any case, in the buses the row after the seat occupied by the driver will always be kept empty.
5. In collective public passenger transport in urban and peri-urban areas, where there are platforms enabled for the transport of foot passengers, efforts shall be made to ensure that people maintain as much distance from each other as possible, establishing as a reference the occupation of half of the available seated seats, and two travelers for each square meter in the area enabled to travel standing. READ THE FULL OFFICIAL BOE HERE
CONFIRMED - FOR FULL DETAILS SEE HERE
Below, we summarize the key points for phase 0 and phase 1 that will take effect from Monday, May 4.
Key points of phase 0 (for the entire national territory except for Formentera, El Hierro, La Gomera and La Graciosa):
- Shops and premises of up to 400 square meters may open and serve customers by appointment and due sanitary and distancing measures.
- Permission to collect food from a bar / restaurant, in addition to that already established for home delivery.
- Permission for the training of professional athletes.
- File consultation.
- Mandatory use of a mask on public transport.
- These measures are added to those already established, such as walks and individual sports.
PHASE 1: SMALL SHOPS AND BAR TERRACES
Health Ministry will allow social meetings of up to 10 people under Phase 1 of Spain’s deescalation plan. Provided that provinces meet the requisites, this stage should come into force on May 11th at the earliest
Spain’s Health Minister Salvador Illa has this evening announced that groups of up to 10 people in can meet up in their homes, or in outside terraces when their province reaches Phase 1 of deescalation, which for some will be as soon as May 11.
When bars and restaurants, open in Phase 1, they will also be able to fill their outdoor capacity to 50%, and not 30%, as announced earlier this week. Those that meet the Government’s set coronavirus health targets can advance to Phase 1 by May 11.
This will begin on May 11 for provinces that meet the requirements, and will allow for social activities such as meetings in the home or on the street for up to 10 people. Sidewalk cafés can also reopen, albeit at 50% of of their usual capacity. The government had proposed 30% but representatives from the sector complained given the effect this would have on their revenues. Hotels and tourist accommodation can also reopen for guests living in the same province, but common areas will be shut. Places of worship will reopen, while activity will also restart in the food and fishing sectors. Open-air markets will be limited to 25% of their usual capacity, while religious celebrations will be limited to 30%.
The use of cars during Phase 1 will also be subject to regulations. Vehicles will be permitted to be occupied by up to nine people, provided that they all live in the same home. If the occupants of a vehicle do not live together, a limit of one person in each row of seats will apply, and they will have to wear masks.
Key points of phase 1 (for Formentera, El Hierro, La Gomera and La Graciosa ):
- Meetings of a maximum of ten people.
- Shared use of private vehicles (one driver and one occupant).
- Outdoor wakes for 15 people and in closed spaces for 10 people.
- Opening of places of worship with a maximum of one third of the capacity.
- Reopening of stores and retail stores without an appointment with a 30% reduction in total capacity.
- Reopening of terraces at 50% of their total capacity.
- Reopening of markets: 25% of the stalls and a third of the capacity.
- No mention is made of hotels, tourist accommodation, cultural shows, scientific conferences or the opening of high-performance sports centers.
PHASE 2: CINEMAS, THEATERS, HUNTING AND FISHING
If all goes well with phase 1
Phase 2. This will begin on May 25 in the provinces that meet the requirements, and will see restaurants return to serving at tables inside their establishments once more, albeit with limited capacity. Journeys to second residences will be allowed, provided they are in the same province. Cinemas and theaters will reopen with a third of their capacity. Cultural activities will be permitted with fewer than 50 people seated, while open-air events will be able to hold fewer than 400 people seated. Schools will reopen to offer support to parents of children aged under six who cannot work from home, as well as for those students preparing their university entrance exams.
PHASE 3: CIRCULATION BETWEEN PROVINCES
Phase 3. This will begin on June 8th in areas that meet the requisites, and will see a reduction of capacity restrictions in hostelry, but the public will have to remain separated. Restrictions on mobility in general will be relaxed, and retail outlets will be able to allow customers to enter up to 50% of usual capacity. Nightclubs and bars will be able to open with a maximum of a third of their usual capacity. Citizens will be able to go to beaches provided they observe safety and distancing conditions
FINAL PHASE - TOTAL OPENING
The Government hopes to reach this phase the week of June 22. A total opening of economic activity will then be allowed, although with conditions of social distancing that will have to be maintained until there is a vaccine. It will be then when you can travel to any province. Throughout the de-escalation process, the use of masks and hygiene measures will continue to be necessary. The Executive will continue requesting in the Congress of Deputies extensions of the state of alarm every 15 days until then.
AIR MOBILITY
SUBJECT TO EUROPEAN OR INTERNATIONAL SECURITY AGREEMENT
The markers for each change of phase will depend on:
- The strategic capacity of Spain’s health system, including primary care, the situation in hospitals and the number of intensive care unit (ICU) beds available.
- The epidemiological situation, including testing, the infection rate and other indicators.
- The collective compliance with protection measures in the workplace, businesses and public transport.
- The evaluation of mobility and socioeconomic data
28th April - Discussions with regards to the de-escalation plans - Each province will advance at a different rate depending on Covid Statistics.
Pedro Sanchez is now speaking to the nation after a long day debating with the cabinet and has announced that the recovery will happen, over 8 weeks, in three additional flexible phases :
Sanchez is reluctant to set any firm dates because the phases are to be reviewed at each step, and depending on how the virus and we, the public, are behaving, it might be impossible to adhere to specific dates.- (dates are to be confirmed for each province)
Shops and bar terraces could open from 11 May
Each phase should take two weeks. That’s six weeks in total, just month and half. The maximum it would take if things go well and with caution is 8 weeks.The timetable - The Government will aim to start phase 1 in most regions that meet the minimum criteria by 11 May, and to get to phase 3, by the end of June in this area. However, the progress in each phase will be monitored and will only pass to the next phase if things go as planned.
The health department will review progress each 15 days and they will study restricting access by groups.
Schools to close until September, except centres to cater for children of working parents who have no one at home to care for them.
Movement between provinces will be restricted until the situation improves.
An extension of 15 days will be sought to the State of Alarm. Spanish president Pedro Sanchez announced yesterday that a further 15 day extension to the state of alert would be requested from congress, to take us from midnight 9th of May until the 25th of May,
The President stresses that we have achieved a lot, but we stand to lose everything; the virus hasn't gone. "Our behaviour will save lives."
27th April
Spain Is leading an initiative of nine EU countries, to work out a common plan for recuperation of the tourism sector.
The plan would establish common rules of safe movement between the countries involved, and EU funding to help business and workers in the sector.
At the moment the tourism ministers of Spain, France, Italy,Portugal, Greece, Malta, Cyprus, Romania and Bulgaria are involved.
25th April
Sánchez announces that the Government will allow going out for sports or walking from May 2nd if infections decrease
The president will present his plan for de-escalation of confinement on Tuesday 28th at the Council of Ministers. "From May 2nd the public will be allowed to do individual activity and walks with the people with whom we live", announced the president. He also stated that "If we act with caution, this first relief will be followed by a new one a week later."
The Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez : "This state of alarm has paid off." "The de-escalation plan will last throughout the month of May and, in principle, we will see what happens with the month of June. I would like to convey to you the importance of being cautious, this is not a race to see who opens a shopping center or a small business". He explains that the plan will be presented on Tuesday because "we want to hear tomorrow the plans of the autonomous communities of de-escalation."
As reported in elpais
Sanchez has listed three aspects which will shape the de-escalation plan:
- Gradual: Social activity and social mobility will not be recovered suddenly; instead, it will be done in stages. “In each field of activity successive steps will be set,” said the president, who has clarified that shops, restaurants, leisure activities, the agricultural or industrial sector and religious activities will not all return at the same time…” All activities will be recovered in gradual stages and under conditions and limitations that will vary with each successive advance that is taken.
- Asymmetric: This means that these de-escalation measures will depend on the territory in which one lives, since the coronavirus has spread unevenly, it only makes sense to unevenly take measures. “In addition to gradual, the de-escalation period has to be asymmetric, differentiating between territories.”
- Coordinated: It will be governed by the same rules, although they are applied in different areas. “To guarantee maximum coordination, the de-escalation process will be governed by the same balanced scorecard nationwide.” The conclusion is that not all sectors or all territories are going to be the same, but they will operate under the same rules.
25th April
SUGGESTION by Catalonian regional government to allow bars and restaurants of less than a 30 capacity of persons to reopen.
Each autonomous region has it´s own ideas on how it would like the lock down to be lifted and when they would like to start de escalation. It is the responsibility of each of the local government to apply these dates and restrictions but without government approval, NO changes can take place. Updates will be posted as and when they become available.
25th April
The Generalitat authorizes the reopening of markets for food products from April 30th
The Official Gazette of the Generalitat has published this Saturday the resolution that will regulate the reopening of non-sendentar sale markets throughout the Valencian Community exclusively for food products from next April 30th.
From April 30 and fulfilling the requirements established by Health, vendors may return to their activity.
The Ministry of Health has set out in a resolution the conditions for the opening of non-sedentary sales markets for basic necessities during the state of alarm as of April 30, including the separation of 2.5 meters between stalls and a distance of 2 meters with the client.
The resolution, which starts from the Ministry of Agriculture and Economy and to which EFE has had access, states that non-sedentary markets may adapt or maintain their activity in the usual places as long as they take place in spaces, covered or not, delimited with fences or other means that allow marking the limits, guarantee the flow control, the separation of establishments and the social distance.
Markets may be held in covered and uncovered spaces enabled for this, and markets that cannot maintain the activity in a closed environment will have to transfer their location to sports or other facilities that adopt control measures to dose the capacity.
Only stalls selling exclusively food and basic necessity products will be allowed, excluding hotels and restaurants, and the stalls must be separated by a transit route and with a minimum distance between them of 6 meters, with a minimum lateral separation of 2, 5 meters.
Within a stall, vendors must keep a distance of 2 meters and, if this is not possible, there can only be one.
A distance will be marked with adhesive tape or other means 2 meters between the post and the clientele, and the same distance will be established for the people waiting.
Surveillance of the space where the market is held during operating hours will be guaranteed, for compliance with social distance and to avoid crowds, and a hydrogel or other disinfectant dispenser will be available at the entrance, which is compulsory for access to the purchase space.
Only the seller will be able to touch the food or products, and always with gloves, a mask and following the hygiene recommendations against the COVID-19, and each stand will have devices for access waste with pedal and bags that allow it to be watertight.
Stalls should be cleaned and disinfected frequently and, at the end of the day, all machinery and other items will be cleaned.
The Unió has issued a statement in which it states that it had repeatedly demanded that the holding of these markets be authorized subject to opening conditions.
Now, it will be up to the municipalities to decide whether or not to hold it, and La Unió urges the local authorities to "be sensitive" and that they can be held with the rules set by the Generalitat.
The Unió has indicated that it has worked in recent weeks with the Government Delegation, the Valencian Federation of Municipalities and Provinces and the Generalitat to make this regulation feasible.
The objective, he recalls, was "to avoid further losses to all those producers who supply or sell in this type of market, and who cannot take advantage of the compensation measures established by the Government such as the cessation of activity because they have to continue maintaining the crop or animals'.
The agrarian organization proposed to resume the activity of these non-sedentary markets, especially considering that a good part of the sale corresponds to products of the closest proximity.
"There was no logic in its prohibition and allowing supermarkets and department stores to open without any problems," according to the agrarian organization.
As reported in Diarioinformacion and other Spanish news articles
23rd April
IMPORTANT OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT
As from this SUNDAY, APRIL 26, children up to 14-years old will be able to go for walks and play on the street once a day, for one hour, within a dsitance of a maximum of one kilometre around their home.
1️⃣. Hours allowed from 9am to 9pm (it is recommended to avoid busier times)
2️⃣. They must be accompanied at all times by a responsible adult who lives with them (it may be an older brother / sister). You can go out with up to three children and you must be at a distance at all times that you can control them.
3️⃣. Social distancing measures with other children and adults must be respected, as established by the health authorities.
4️⃣. Children are allowed to run, play and exercise, always respecting social distancing measures.
5️⃣. They will be able to go out with their own toys, but they will not be able to make use of parks or playgrounds.
6️⃣. In the rural areas, children can go for a walk in the countryside and the forest...always respecting social distancing measures.
7️⃣. Children with symptoms comparable to COVID-19 or who are in quarantine will not be able to leave their home.
22nd April CONFIRMED Spain has entered the third extension of the state of alarm, until May 9, and it is certain that there will be another one, which will last until the end of the month
The Government prepares "the de-escalation", with homogeneous markers although the options will be asymmetric, according to the characteristics of each autonomy, province and locality. A new deadline to maintain the state of alarm has been approved in Congress with the opposite vote of Vox and the CUP, like the previous one, but this time Junts per Catalunya joined, while ERC abstained. The rest of the groups voted in favor although the tone of the majority was of strong demand to the Government. The extension that has gone ahead with 269 votes in favor, 60 against and 16 abstentions.
The draft of the guide also includes a series of recommendations such as the use of masks (from the age of 4)or intensive hand washing before and after being on the street. The Government, if there are no changes, will also urge parents and guardians to explain in detail to minors the rules so that children are aware of the consequences of not respecting them, in particular of being able to infect especially vulnerable people such as the elderly.
All these measures –according to the childhood draft- would also be applicable to adolescents between 14 and 18 years old but only in the case that they are residents in municipalities with less than 2,000 inhabitants and in which there have been no cases of coronavirus, at least recently. The idea is that in a second phase these adolescents, regardless of their place of residence, can leave their homes for one hour a day, as the children will do starting next weekend, What remains to be clarified is whether they will need to be accompanied.
For those over 14 years old they proposed that they could walk, run, ride a bike and use non-electric skates.
18th April
Confirmed.
Spanish president Pedro Sánchez has said he will request an extension of the state of alert until midnight on May 9th.
This is not confirmed until congress votes and approves it next wednesday.
As expected, there are some extra freedoms for kids, they are to be allowed a period of exercise with a parent, under very strict conditions.... This from the 27th April
Fines that can be issued
April 14th
Report updated in Spain at 20.30h on Tuesday 14 April.
LATEST: Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is to request the authorisation from the Spanish Congress next week for an extension to the current ‘state of alarm’ lockdown in Spain until Sunday 10 May. The debate in the Spanish Congress will be held next Wednesday 22 April.
What the government will have to decide in the coming days is whether to maintain confinement as it has been until now or to lift some restrictions. The first measures of flexibility that the Executive studies are the walks for children and the physical exercise. At the moment the rules remain the same.
April 12th -
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Speaking on Sunday afternoon Pedro Sánchez, ?????’? ????? ???????? ???? ??? ??????? ???????? ?????? ?? ???????? despite the easing of restrictions on non-essential workers.
“I want to be very clear,” he said. “We are not entering a phase of de-escalation. The state of emergency is still in force and so is the lockdown. The only thing that has come to an end is the two-week extreme economic hibernation period. General confinement will remain the rule for the next two weeks and the only people allowed out will be those going to authorised jobs or making authorised purchases.” He also said there could be a “progressive and very cautious” relaxation of the lockdown “in two weeks’ time at the earliest” – but warned the lockdown is likely to be extended beyond 26 April.
April 11th - Back to Work on April 13 For Non-Essential Workers in Spain as Recoverable Paid Leave Ends From Monday April 13, workers who were previously considered to be non-essential can go back to work.
9th April - THE President of Spain, Pedro Sanchez, has spent the afternoon in congress debating the extension of the State of Alarm and the actions that the government has taken so far to combat the coronavirus crisis. Sanchez has admitted that in another 15 days he is likely to have to return to congress and ask for another extension to the State of Alarm. This would push the end of the state of alarm to May 10th. However, he Admits That “There Are Discrepancies Between Government Officials and Scientists” on When to Lift the Lockdown Measures
4th April
Spain´s state of alarm is officially extended
The Government extends the deadlines to midnight April 26th after consulting with the scientific committee
26th March
The Spanish Congress has voted to extend the state of alarm until April 12th. (midnight 11th)