The Council of Ministers, on April 28, approved the Plan for the gradual lifting of the extraordinary measures adopted to address the COVID-19 pandemic, a roadmap for the phased and asymmetrical easing of restrictions by province. This plan will have four phases—from zero to three—in which the recovery of economic and social activity will be modulated. The Government anticipates an average of six to eight weeks to implement these steps and has predicted that the “new normal” will arrive by the end of June, at which point restrictions will begin to be lifted.
The Council of Ministers, on April 28, approved the Plan for the gradual lifting of the extraordinary measures adopted to address the COVID-19 pandemic, a roadmap for the phased and asymmetrical easing of restrictions by province. This plan will have four phases—from zero to three—in which the recovery of economic and social activity will be modulated. The Government anticipates an average of six to eight weeks to implement these steps and has predicted that the "new normal" will arrive by the end of June, at which point restrictions will begin to be lifted.
The gradual exit from the current state of confinement requires continued strengthening of capacities in four areas: epidemiological surveillance; identification and containment of sources of contagion; healthcare; and collective protection measures, at the national, regional and local levels.
The parameters whose values are necessary to advance in the de-escalation, and which require continuous monitoring, will be reflected in a single comprehensive dashboard that will help to determine the intensity and speed of the easing of restrictions, including fundamental parameters for decision-making:
- From public health, based on data that evaluate the four strategic capacities already mentioned and the evolution of the epidemiological situation.
- Mobility (both internal and international) is closely linked to a possible increase in the risk of contagion.
- From the social dimension (impact of the disease, confinement and de-escalation on the most vulnerable social groups, particularly the elderly).
- Economic activity (assessment of the situation by sector, especially those with the greatest pull and those most severely affected by the crisis).
In summary, the phases of the de-escalation would be as follows:
Phase 0 Preparatory (next May 2nd).
This is the current situation, characterized by the establishment of common relief measures for the entire country once the contagion curve has been flattened, allowing movement outside the home, primarily in the private sphere, and measures with a very low or zero associated risk of contagion, provided that safety guidelines are followed, based on the responsibility and self-protection of citizens (individual non-contact sports activities and walks, tending family gardens, some economic activities with capacity control, etc.). Measures such as the following are planned for May 2nd:
- Allowing adults to go out and exercise individually will be permitted, and small openings for economic activity will be permitted. For example, businesses and establishments could reopen by appointment for individual customer service, such as restaurants offering takeaway food, without on-premises dining. Another example would be allowing individual training for professional and federated athletes, as well as basic training for professional leagues.
- Throughout this phase, Phase 0, the preparation phase towards this de-escalation, the preparation of all public premises will be intensified with signage and protection measures to prepare for the beginning of the next phase, which is Phase I.
- During this phase, measures may be adopted that affect only certain territories. In particular, islands with no external mobility and virtually zero infection rates; consequently, the island of Formentera in the Balearic Islands and the islands of La Gomera, El Hierro, and La Graciosa in the Canary Islands will begin their de-escalation a few days earlier, on May 4, entering Phase 1.
Phase I (starting May 11) or initial phase: terraces and religious worship
The province will be the organizational unit for the reactivation of certain commercial activities, with preferential hours for those over 65, the group most vulnerable to Covid-19.
- Small businesses will be allowed to open, but not large shopping centers, "where crowds are more likely and travel to them increases mobility."
- Terraces open, but at 30% capacity.
- Opening of hotels and tourist accommodations, excluding common areas and with certain restrictions that will be set out in an order by the Ministry of Health
- In the agri-food and fisheries sector, activities that were previously restricted will resume
- Religious worship will be permitted with one third of the temple's occupancy.
- In the sports field, the opening of High Performance Centers is being considered with reinforced hygiene and protection measures, and if possible, shifts and, if possible, medium-intensity training will be allowed in professional leagues
Phase 2 (starting May 25) or intermediate phase:
Time for university entrance exams, cinemas and theaters
- In the restaurant sector, indoor spaces will be opened with a capacity limit of one third, guaranteed social distancing, and only for table service
- The school year will begin in September, although this phase includes exceptions for three purposes: reinforcement activities, ensuring that children under six can attend if both parents have to work in person, and to hold the University Access Baccalaureate Assessment (EBAU)
- Recreational hunting and fishing will return.
- Cinemas, theaters, auditoriums and similar spaces will open with pre-assigned seating and at one third of their capacity.
- Visits to monuments and cultural facilities such as exhibition halls and conference rooms will be possible, with a third of the usual capacity
- Cultural events with fewer than 50 people will be allowed in enclosed spaces at one-third capacity, and outdoor events will be permitted for gatherings of fewer than 400 people, provided seating is available
- Places of worship must limit their capacity to 50 percent
Phase 3 or advanced (starting June 8):
"New normal"
- Mobility will be allowed to be eased, but the use of masks outside the home and especially when using public transport will be recommended.
- In the commercial sector, capacity will be limited to 50 percent and a minimum distance of two meters will be required
- -In the restaurant sector, capacity and occupancy conditions will be made more flexible, although with strict conditions of separation between the public.
In this final phase, going to the beach will be allowed, among other things, as the "new normal" will be recovered with a full reopening of activity, but with the "special conditions" of protection and safety required by the virus.
Please note: Specific dates and the actual progress will depend on the behavior and control of the pandemic, as well as the ability to move through the different phases, under the conditions established in the Plan. The time between each phase will have a minimum duration of two weeks, which is the average incubation period of the virus.
New extension of the state of emergency
To implement this entire de-escalation plan, Pedro Sánchez has announced that he will request a further 15-day extension of the state of emergency from Congress, which will take effect when the current one expires on May 10. However, he has not clarified whether he will request successive extensions until the end of June.
We will keep you informed in future circulars as more measures and regulations are approved in this regard.
You can contact this professional office for any questions or clarifications you may have.
Warm regards,
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A Àmbit Assessor, SL has 40 years dedicated to the tax, comptable and labor consultancy of the Pime.
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