The plan to gradually ease restrictions towards the so-called "new normal" will begin in a few days (Phase 0, or the preparatory phase, will start nationwide on May 4th, with the exception of the Balearic Islands of Formentera and the Canary Islands of La Graciosa, La Gomera, and El Hierro, which will enter Phase 1 on May 4th). It will consist of four phases of at least 15 days each and, barring any new outbreaks that force a reversal, will conclude on June 22nd. As the established dates approach, some activities will resume, such as the reopening of shops, dining in restaurants and outdoor seating areas, and attending shows. We have attached an explanatory guide (the transition plan, the indicator panel, the appendix with the phases, and the timeline) outlining what to expect from now on. Many questions and details remain to be resolved, but these will be addressed through ministerial orders from the Minister of Health or modifications to the state of emergency.
As we have already informed you, the Council of Ministers on April 28th has launched the de-escalation plan towards the so-called "new normal" which will begin in a few days (phase 0 or preparatory phase will start throughout the country on May 4th, except for the islands of Formentera in the Balearic Islands; and La Graciosa, La Gomera and El Hierro in the Canary Islands, which will already be in stage 1 on May 4th) will have four phases of at least 15 days each and, if there are no outbreaks that force a reversal, will come to an end on June 22nd.
See: Plan for the transition to a new normal (PDF)
As the established dates approach, some activities will resume, such as the opening of shops, going to restaurants and terraces, or enjoying shows.
For your better understanding, we have attached an explanatory guide (containing the transition plan, the indicator panel, the annex with the phases, and the timeline) outlining what to expect from now on. Many questions and details remain unanswered, but these will be addressed through ministerial orders from the Minister of Health or modifications to the state of emergency.
The development of the plan will be asymmetrical, coordinated with the autonomous communities, and adaptable to the necessary changes in orientation depending on the evolution of epidemiological data and the impact of the measures adopted, in each territory, in reference to each province.
INDICATORS
Therefore, one of the first steps involves developing a series of relevant, measurable, and reliable objective indicatorsthat will engage and serve the Government and the autonomous communities themselves to know what minimum thresholds are essential to reach before starting the de-escalation.
These indicators will be publicly available, allowing any interested party to access the benchmark variables for decision-making. These indicators are:
(i) epidemiological surveillance;
(ii) identification and containment of sources of contagion;
(iii) health care; and
(iv) collective protection measures,
See: Annex I: Comprehensive indicator panel (PDF)
PHASES, PERMITTED ACTIVITIES AND THEIR CONDITIONS
The de-escalation process will be structured in four phases and three transitions between those four phases. The Minister of Health will decide which phase any territory in the country is in, based on the parameters that make up the panel of indicators, which will be evaluated qualitatively and collectively to allow the transition from one phase to another. The application of these criteria will determine the advancement, or regression, from one phase to another.
The Minister of Health will decide, every two weeks, which phase of the de-escalation process each territory is in. Initially, the territorial unit will be the province or the island.
- Monday, May 4th would mark the official start of the de-escalation, although Sánchez had already warned that it had de facto begun, that the entire national territory was in Phase 0 or preparation.
- Monday, May 11th will be the date set for territories that remain in Phase 0 to move to Phase 1, depending on whether each territory (province) meets the established government benchmarks.
- Every two weeks, a new assessment will be carried out, and the government expects the de-escalation process to last a minimum of six weeks and a maximum of eight, although nothing is certain. In an ideal scenario, a region would move to Phase 1 on May 11; to Phase 2 on May 25; and to Phase 3 on June 8.
- Assuming that Phase 3 also lasts two weeks, a territory could reach the so-called "new normal" on June 22.
GUIDELINE TIMELINE FOR THE TRANSITION TOWARDS A NEW NORMALITY
See: Annex III: Indicative schedule (PDF)
Details of the phases, permitted activities, and their conditions are set out in Annex II. Annex II: Indicative forecast for lifting the nationwide restrictions established under the state of emergency (PDF)
In summary, the description of the phases would be as follows:
Phase O: Preparation for De-escalation (May 4)
In the workplace: Teleworking will continue to be the preferred option in companies and positions where it is possible. Where applicable, staggered entry and exit times will be implemented at workplaces.
On a personal level :
- Walks for children, seniors and cohabitants.
- It will be possible to tend to family gardens, for self-consumption, municipal gardens, provided that they are in the same municipality as the home, or one adjacent to it, and that the appropriate hygiene or social distancing precautions are taken.
- Demand management for mobility (peak hour flexibility, etc.) is necessary to avoid overcrowding.
- Reinforcement of messages and signage in areas with possible crowds (train stations, bus stations, metro and bus stops, airports, ports, etc.) reminding people of safe distance, hygiene measures, etc.
- High recommendation to wear a mask on public transport and during all types of activities outside the home.
In social services, the incorporation of social workers is completed given their importance in the protection of particularly vulnerable groups.
In education and universities, online or distance learning will be encouraged.
In Retail Trade and Service Provision Activities:
- Opening of premises and establishments by appointment for individual customer service.
- These premises must have a counter, screen or, when this is not possible, guarantee the maximum individual protection.
- A preferential service schedule will be established for people over 65 years of age.
- When the professional service requires contact with the client, the use of protective measures such as masks or gloves will be mandatory.
Hospitality, restaurants and cafes: Opening of restaurants and cafes with takeaway delivery, but without consumption on the premises.
Hotels and tourist accommodations: No activity is allowed except for already regulated exceptions.
Cultural and leisure activities: Opening of archives.
Professional and federated sport: Individual training for professionals and federated athletes. Basic training for professional leagues and non-contact sports activities.
Regarding non-professional sport, non-contact sporting activity is allowed (cycling, running, skating, surfing, etc.) provided it is done individually and with adequate protection (distance, mask in non-aquatic sports, when possible, etc.).
Urban and peri-urban mobility:
- Progressive increase in the frequency of public transport, especially during peak hours.
- Preparation of enhanced mobility plans, including demand management.
- In the distribution of occupancy, special attention will be paid to the provision of spaces for people with disabilities.
Medium and long-distance land transport (rail and bus):
Maintaining current conditions (limiting the number of services to 30% of the normal period). Special attention will be paid to providing spaces for people with disabilities when allocating space.
For its part, air travel will be subject to a European or international agreement on safety, and maritime transport will maintain its current conditions, with special attention paid to providing spaces for people with disabilities in the distribution of occupancy.
PHASE I OF THE DE-ESCALATION (starting May 11, if it goes well).
In the workplace: Analysis of the Occupational Risk Prevention requirements necessary in the different activities, adapted to COVID-19.
On a personal level :
- Establishment of measures for the specific protection of all vulnerable groups in the development of relief measures.
- Social contact in small groups for people who are not vulnerable or have pre-existing conditions.
- Limitation on the occupancy of private vehicles, except for people who live at the same address who could travel together.
- Wakes for a limited number of family members, with physical distancing and safety protocols.
In social services:
- Gradual reactivation of social services, with priority given to the most vulnerable groups, in accordance with established health recommendations. These services include, and specifically address the needs of people with disabilities, early intervention, occupational, rehabilitation, and psychosocial therapies.
- Home care and continuous monitoring for elderly people who do not live in residences.
In education and universities:
- Educational centers will open for disinfection, conditioning, and the administrative and preparatory work of teachers and support staff.
- Opening of Universities for disinfection, conditioning and for administrative and research procedures.
- Opening of university laboratories.
Science and innovation: Gradual reopening of scientific and technical facilities that were closed during the first phase of the pandemic because they were not considered essential in the short term. Scientific and innovation seminars and conferences may be held, respecting social distancing of more than 2 meters and with fewer than 30 attendees, ensuring compliance with safety protocols.
In Retail Trade and Service Provision Activities:
- General opening of premises and commercial establishments that are not part of a shopping center or retail park.
- This does not affect the activity of establishments located in shopping centers that have been allowed to remain open to the public during the state of alarm.
- Capacity is limited to 30% and a minimum distance of 2 meters between customers is required. When this is not possible, only one customer will be allowed inside at a time.
- A preferential service schedule will be established for people over 65 years of age.
- When proposed by the corresponding city council, open-air markets/non-sedentary sales (street markets) on public roads may also restart their activity, with conditions of distancing between stalls, and delimitation of the street market for proper control of capacity by the security forces.
- Initial limitation to 25% of the usual stalls or an increase in surface area to ensure the maintenance of a safe distance between stalls and pedestrians.
Hospitality, restaurants and cafes:
- Opening of terraces: will be limited to 30% of the tables allowed in previous years based on the municipal license, ensuring distances.
- They could have a greater number of tables if the city council allows more available space, respecting the table/surface ratio of 30% and with a proportional increase in pedestrian space in the same section of the public road.
Hotels and tourist accommodations: Opening without use of common areas and with restrictions, for example, in catering, among other activities, disinfection and reinforcement of health and hygiene standards.
Agriculture: Reopening of activities in the agri-food and fishing sectors that were previously restricted. Agricultural and livestock commercial activities will be governed by retail trade regulations (bottled wine, live animals). Local markets are regulated under the retail trade section.
Cultural and leisure activities:
- Libraries (borrowing and reading with limited capacity).
- Cultural events and shows with fewer than 30 people in enclosed spaces (at 1/3 capacity).
- Outdoor cultural events and shows with fewer than 200 people (provided that seating is available and the necessary distance is maintained).
- Museums (visits only, no cultural activities) 1/3 capacity with crowd control in rooms.
- Active and nature tourism for limited groups of people.
- Audiovisual production and filming of movies and series.
Professional and federated sport:
- Opening of high-performance centers with reinforced hygiene and protection measures and, if possible, shifts.
- Intermediate training in professional leagues.
Regarding non-professional sports, outdoor sports facilities without spectators are permitted (only for sports that do not involve contact: athletics, tennis). Individual sports activities are allowed by appointment at sports centers, provided they do not involve physical contact or the use of changing rooms.
Places of worship and religious venues: Limited to 1/3 of capacity.
Urban and peri-urban mobility:
- Public transport in urban and interurban environments at service supply levels of 80-100%.
- Measures for managing passenger demand. A reference occupancy factor will be established:
Medium and long-distance land transport (rail and bus):
- Maintaining current conditions (limiting the number of services - offering - of services to 30%).
- Occupancy limited to 50% of vehicles.
- Ban on catering on trains.
For its part, air travel will continue to be subject to agreements at the European Union level.
Maritime transport :
- The current conditions remain in place, unless something different is agreed with the affected autonomous communities and cities in the working group.
- Occupancy: 50% in seats or separation of seats at more than 2 meters.
- 100% in cabins provided they are occupied by people who reside at the same address.
PHASE II OF THE DE-ESCALATION (May 25)
On a personal level :
- Establishment of measures for the specific protection of a small number of vulnerable groups in the development of relief measures.
- Social contact in larger groups for people who are not vulnerable or have pre-existing conditions.
- Travel to second homes is permitted as long as they are in the same province.
- Weddings for a limited number of attendees
- Wakes for a less limited number of family members, with physical distancing and safety protocols.
In social services: Visits from a family member to people with disabilities in residences and supervised housing (except in the case of elderly residences).
In education and universities:
- Reopening of preschool for children up to 6 years old for families who can prove that both parents have to work in person with no possibility of flexible work arrangements. Capacity will always be limited.
- On a voluntary basis for students, the final courses (4th year of ESO, 2nd year of Bachillerato, 2nd year of Intermediate and Higher Vocational Training and the last year of Special Regime Education) will begin with the division of groups of more than 15 students to 50% for alternate attendance or in parallel semi-groups.
- Special education centers are permitted to open, and student attendance will be voluntary. University entrance exams (EBAU).
- Educational centers will prepare educational reinforcement programs to be developed at the center for students not mentioned above.
Science and innovation:
- Scientific or innovative seminars, respecting social distancing of more than 2 and fewer than 50 participants, guaranteeing compliance with safety protocols.
- Opening of residences for researchers subject to the conditions established for hotel establishments.
- Opening to the public of the Science and Technology Museums and the Houses of Science, under the same regulations in force for other museums and cultural centers
In Retail Trade and Service Provision Activities:
- Opening to the public of shopping centers or parks, prohibiting lingering in common areas or recreational areas.
- Capacity limited to 40%. In any case, a minimum distance of 2 meters between customers must be guaranteed.
- In premises where this distance is not possible, only one customer will be allowed inside the premises at a time.
- A preferential service schedule will be established for people over 65 years of age.
- In non-sedentary sales/open-air markets, the number of stalls that can operate may be increased to 1/3 of the usual number, or a similar separation distance with an increase in surface area, with the measures indicated in Phase I.
- Educational and training centers (driving schools, academies, etc.) not included in the Education and Science sections will reopen. Appropriate distancing, hygiene, and protection measures will be implemented.
Hospitality, restaurants and cafes:
- For premises, consumption on the premises with table service with guaranteed separation between customers at the table and between tables, except for nightclubs and night bars.
- Limited to 1/3 of capacity.
- I only consume while seated or for takeaway.
Hotels and Tourist Accommodation:
Opening of common areas limited to 1/3 capacity except for hotels, restaurants and cafes which will be subject to the restrictions provided for this sector.
Agriculture: Resumption of hunting and sport fishing.
Cultural and leisure activities:
- Cinemas, theaters, auditoriums and similar spaces (with pre-assigned seating) with a capacity limit of 1/3.
- Monuments and other cultural facilities (visits only; no cultural activities) 1/3 capacity.
- Exhibition halls, conference rooms and multipurpose rooms at 1/3 capacity, with crowd control. Cultural events and shows with fewer than 50 people in enclosed spaces (1/3 capacity).
- Outdoor cultural and leisure events and shows with fewer than 400 people (provided that seating is available and the necessary distance is maintained).
- Active and nature tourism for larger groups of people.
Professional and federated sport:
- Basic training in non-professional federated leagues.
- Complete training in professional leagues.
- Reopening of professional championships through matches behind closed doors or with limited capacity, which can be broadcast.
For non-professional sports, outdoor sporting events and activities with limited capacity are permitted, under similar terms to cultural and leisure activities in this phase. Indoor sports facilities are open without spectators (only for sports where there is no contact or the risk of contagion is low).
Places of worship and religious venues: Limited to 1/2 of capacity.
Urban and peri-urban mobility: no changes
Medium and long-distance land transport (rail and bus): no changes
For its part, air travel will continue to be subject to agreements at the European Union level.
Shipping nochanges.
PHASE III OF THE DE-ESCALATION (final stretch from June 8)
In the workplace: Protocols for returning to in-person work at companies (use of PPE and/or other safety measures), with staggered schedules and guarantees of work-life balance.
On a personal level :
- Establishment of measures for the specific protection of vulnerable groups in the development of relief measures.
- Social contact for people who are not vulnerable or have pre-existing conditions.
- Wakes for a larger number of people, with physical distancing and safety protocols.
- Weddings for a larger number of guests.
In social services: De-escalation plan and review of the model for elderly care homes.
In university education: no changes
Science and innovation:
- Seminars, congresses and scientific or innovation fairs, respecting social distancing of more than 2 meters and less than 80 people, guaranteeing compliance with safety protocols.
- Scientific and technical outreach activities, informative workshops, with the necessary restrictions.
In Retail Trade and Service Provision Activities:
- The ban on the use of common areas and recreational areas in shopping centers is lifted.
- Capacity limited to 50%. The safety distance will be maintained at 2 meters.
- Open-air markets/non-sedentary sales may increase their activity up to 50% of the stalls or an increase in surface area that allows a similar distance between stalls, at the discretion of the municipalities, which must guarantee the safety distance of 2 meters between people.
Hospitality, restaurants and cafes:
- For premises, the capacity will be extended to a maximum of 1/2 of their capacity that guarantees separation of customers.
- Standing is allowed with a minimum separation of 1.5 meters between customers at the bar.
- On terraces: the number of tables will be limited to 50% of the number permitted in previous years based on the municipal license. Additional tables may be allowed if the city council permits more space, provided the 50% table-to-area ratio is respected.
- Nightclubs and bars with a maximum capacity of 1/3.
Hotels and tourist accommodations: Opening of common areas limited to 1/2 capacity except for hotels, restaurants and cafes which will be subject to the restrictions provided for this sector.
Cultural and leisure activities:
- Activities with 1/3 capacity in phase II may move to 1/2 capacity in this phase.
- Performing arts and music venues with a capacity limit of 1/3.
- Cultural events and shows with fewer than 80 people in enclosed spaces (1/3 capacity).
- Bullrings, arenas and bullfighting facilities with a capacity limit that guarantees one person per 9 m2.
- Cultural events and shows, theme parks and outdoor leisure activities for fewer than 800 people (provided seating is available and the necessary distance is maintained).
- Active and nature tourism.
- Beaches, under safe and socially distanced conditions.
Professional and federated sport: Medium training in non-professional federated leagues.
In non-professional sport, outdoor sporting events and activities with less limited capacity, in terms similar to cultural and leisure activities in this Phase.
Shows and sporting activities in enclosed spaces (only for sports where there is no contact or the risk of contagion is moderate; e.g., ice rinks). Audience limited to 1 person per 20 m2. Matches with a maximum of 1/3 capacity, always guaranteeing safe separation between spectators, and outdoor sporting activities or with a maximum of 1/3 of gym capacity, without the use of changing rooms.
Urban and peri-urban mobility: All public transport services at 100%.
Medium and long distance land mobility (rail and bus): Possible increase in vehicle occupancy (buses and trains).
For its part, air travel will continue to be subject to agreements at the European Union level.
Maritime transport : The regulatory restriction on boarding passengers on ferries is lifted, depending on the evolution of health parameters. Recreational nautical activities are authorized.
In summary, the phases of the de-escalation would be the following (see table):
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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