Announcement as per 28.April 2020

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The President of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, announces in a press conference the measures for de-escalation approved in the meeting of the Council of Ministers today.

This is an overview of what he has announced:

Sánchez makes clear that there will be no fixed dates for certain phases of the de-escalation, decisions will be made every two weeks, and each phase will last for a minimum of 2 weeks, more if necessary. Everything will be gradual and coordinated. All will depend on the evolution of COVID-19.

The phases will be the same in every region/area/territory of Spain, but will be taken at different speeds depending on the evolution of the virus.

The de-escalation will be 4 phases. We are currently in phase 0.

If all goes as planned, Spain will be in the ‘new normality’ by the end of June.

Currently, movement between regions/provinces/islands in Spain will not be allowed.

On May 4th the de-escalation will begin in some islands such as La Graciosa, El Hierro and La Gomera in the Canary Islands or Formentera in the Balearic Islands, which will go directly to phase 1. The other territories will have to wait until May 11th to see if they can jump or not to that phase.

Phase 0: Preparation and planning. Certain businesses will re-open with an appointment system. Restaurants will be able to prepare ‘takeaways’, in which customers can collect their order. Exercise and walks, with those who you live with, allowed 2nd May, maybe with staged time slots, etc. More details to come.

Phase 1: Open small businesses. There will be schedules/time slots for elderly. Terraces of bars/restaurants 30% capacity, always with sufficient social distances (at least 2 metres). Hotels and tourist accommodation can open (under certain measures, e.g. no common areas allowed open), also 30%. Religious sites can open, 30% capacity, always with sufficient social distances. Funerals permitted (under certain measures). The use of masks in public transport will be highly recommended.

Phase 2: Inside of restaurants/bars can open, 30% capacity, social distancing, only table service. Schools will re-open in September for most students, but different measures will be taken for those with children under 6 years old, in which both parents work, also there may also be measures for re-enforcement classes for those most vulnerable students, also for EBAU students, bachillerato, etc. Cinemas, theatres etc may open, 30% capacity, social distancing. Also expositions and meeting rooms. Religious sites 50% capacity.

Phase 3: Easing of movement between different territories. Restaurants/bars 50% capacity, social distancing.

When there is a BOE (official government document) released, we will work on translating and publishing it. Within that document there will be more specific details. Regarding the walks/exercise for the rest of the population, we hope that more specific details will be published this week by the government and we will translate and publish.
This is all the information we have currently, announced live in a press conference today 28th April by Pedro Sanchez, President of Spain.

Translation by Phoebe Liddiard