ARCHIVED - Rules to observe during the coronavirus lockdown period

Phase 1 relaxes the lockdown restrictions but staying at home and maintaining social distancing is still very important

On Saturday 14^th March 2020 a Royal Decree was passed declaring a state of emergency throughout Spain due to the Coronavrus/COVID-19 crisis.

The decree introduces a series of measures designed to combat the spread of the virus and is now valid until midnight on the 24th May 2020.

Below is detailed information about the de-escalation process which began on May 4th, entered phase 1 on May 11th and will be constantly updated as changes are made.This includes information about exercising, shopping, opening of businesses and travelling.

The most important measure which continues to affect foreign residents is that MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC must observe a strict lockdown order in order to minimise the spread of the virus.The terms of this have been relaxed from May 11th, but the public are still asked to remain at home as much as possible and avoid close contact.

See below for full information about the de-escalation process which entered phase 1 on May 11th:

What to do if you are in the Region of Murcia and believe you may have contracted the virus

The regional government has set up a special helpline to supply information to members of the public (900 121212) if they suspect that they may have contracted the virus rather than going to hospital or to a medical centre. 

Sensible precautions

- AVOID close contact with people who are unwell and if someone close to you becomes ill, ensure that they maintain their distance from other people

- If you do become ill, stay at home and call 900 121212. Do NOT go to a hospital, medical centre or any other location in which you could possibly have contact with other people and maintain a distance from other family members.

- Catch coughs and sneezes with disposable tissues – and throw the tissues away immediately after use before immediately washing your hands!

- If you don’t have a tissue, use your sleeve – and wash the item of clothing used at the next opportunity

- AVOID touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands

- Wash hands frequently and thoroughly with either soap and warm water or a sanitiser gel. Dry with disposable paper and throw away immediately after use. Do not share a towel with other people.

- AVOID travelling if at all possible

- Maintain a distance of at least 1 metre from others in public places

- Clean and disinfect contact surfaces, especially if someone in the home is ill.

- Eat healthy foods, drink plenty of liquid and minimise alcohol intake

- Try to control stress levels and a healthy amount of sleep and undertake some form of physical exercise daily. 

Information about the State of Emergency

The State of Emergency gives the government very specific powers to take whatever measures are deemed necessary given the gravity of the situation, although the rights of citizens under Article 55 of the Spanish Constitution are respected.

Those breaching the conditions of the State of Emergency will receive substantial fines, ranging from 100 euros to 30,000 euros or a prison term depending on the infraction committed.

Specifically, the Royal Decree states the following:

1. For as long as the emergency state of emergency remains in force it is only permitted to use public roads for the following purposes:

- To acquire essential food, pharmaceuticals and other necessary goods.

- To visit medical centres and other health facilities.

- To travel to work and business or professional obligations.

- To return home from the obligations mentioned above.

- To visit and look after the elderly, young people, dependents and people who are especially vulnerable.

- To visit banks, other financial institutions and insurance offices.

- For reasons of force majeure or emergencies.

- For any other reason of a similar nature, and always alone except in cases where disabled people require a helper or for other justifiable reasons.

2. In all cases, on any journey the recommendations and obligations announced by the health authorities must be respected.

Shopping:

- First, and most importantly, do NOT go shopping if you are coughing or have other symptoms compatible with Covid-19 infection. EVERY CONTACT INCREASES THE CHANCE OF YOU INFECTING SOMEBODY ELSE OR IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY INFECTED, YOU COULD CATCH THE VIRUS WHEN GOING OUT SHOPPING.

- Many supermarkets are posting security guards on the door to allow new customers in only when another leaves: this is in order for those inside to be able to keep their distance from each other and shop safely. Be patient.

- Similarly, some shops are requesting that customers wash their hands with disinfectant before entering and some are issuing gloves to shoppers entering the store. Dispose of the gloves as you leave the store. Do not touch your vehicle with the gloves. Wipe down anything you have touched with sanitiser as you put it into your vehicle.Throw away the cloth used afterwards.

- Time your visit to the supermarket sensibly: there is no need to arrive first thing in the morning, products will still be in stock later in the day. This is the best way to avoid crowds and queues.

- Only one person should be involved in a shopping trip, and he or she should be as quick as possible in order not to inconvenience other shoppers. Police have stated most clearly that a shopping trip should only be for URGENT basic necessities. Please note; during phase one supermarkets are maintaining their request that only one person enter the store.

- This is NOT a chance to stop and chat with friends to catch up on the latest news and gossip: that can be done later, by telephone or other means. EVERY CONTACT DURING THE SHOPPING TRIP INCREASES THE RISK OF CONTAGION OR SPREADING THE VIRUS.

- Help others, especially the elderly and others at risk from Covid-19, by offering to include their shopping in your trip, BUT be careful how many people you are in contact with when leaving your home; remember you may be contagious yourself and not know it, you may become contagious when shopping, and you could transmit the virus to the very people you are trying to help, who are generally the most at risk in the first place.

- Use the protective gloves supplied while picking up fruit, vegetables and other products, leaving the gloves in the bins provided when you have finished with them.

- If you sneeze or cough, do so into your sleeve rather than your hands.

- The recommended minimum distance between customers is 1.5 metres at all times. If you have to wait to approach the next item on your list while another customer is choosing, do so patiently.

- Pay by debit or credit card rather than in cash and clean your hands with the solution provided after entering your PIN number.

- When you arrive home wash your hands thoroughly, preferably with disinfectant gel, and clean the items purchased before putting them away. Then clean any surfaces on which they have rested in the meantime.

- Avoid touching your face, mouth, nose and eyes throughout the process.

De-escalation phase one: May 11th to 24th

FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT THROUGHOUT THE MURCIA REGION

Phase 1 allows residents to move around within their province, island or territorial unit of reference. In the case of the Region of Murcia, this means throughout the region as we are a single province region. Residents can go to neighbouring municipalities to work or carry out other "socio-economic" activities including shopping, but remember, making appointments is necessary as most retail shops are closed to the general public and the relaxation of the rules does not permit residents to wander around the streets going from shop to shop. It is still necessary to be “going somewhere” for a specific purpose. Lockdown is still lockdown.

TRAVEL BY CAR

People who live together can go out in the same vehicle without a mask, up to the maximum number permitted by the size of the vehicle (normally 9 for a people carrier). Masks must be worn, however, if those travelling in the vehicle are not from the same household, ie workmates going to work and sharing a vehicle. So yes, you CAN go to the shops with your partner, however, supermarkets are still requesting that only one person enter the shop at a time.

GATHERINGS OF 10 PEOPLE

Groups of up to 10 people will be permitted to meet both in private homes and in public bars from May 11th onwards. 2 metres distancing must be observed in bars and it is essential to book. This particular point has caused significant disquiet this week as the regional health service feels this is premature and could lead to a resurgence in cases. Residents are asked by the regional government to be sensible in relation to this point and try to limit the amount of contacts. Police are particularly worried about the possibility of large "family fiestas" within the Spanish community. This relaxation does NOT permit groups to gather in the street or in public areas, gatherings must be behind close doors or in bars.

SECOND RESIDENCES, HOTELS AND APARTMENTS

Travel to second residences within the same province (in our case within the Murcia Region) is now permitted. Owners may stay in their second properties overnight. Hotels and tourist apartments may now open, although guests do not have access to common areas, ie dining rooms, swimming pools, terraces etc.

BARS AND RESTAURANTS ALLOWED TO OPEN OUTDOOR TERRACES

Bars and restaurants permitted to open outdoor terrace areas ONLY, to a maximum of 50% capacity.

Restauranteurs must disinfect tables and chairs after every service, take the temperatures of staff daily to ensure they are not ill, all uniforms must be washed daily, all staff having either contact with raw food or serving clients must wear masks, two metres must be left between tables, menus must be either throw-away or digital in order to minimise the risk of contamination, adornments should be limited, ie no flowers on the table, no serviette holders or condiment sets, wherever possible cards should be used for payment and any physical contact between serving staff and clients avoided.

Above all, clients must pre-book.

SHOPS

Retailers with less than 400 square meters can open but clients must pre-book in order to shop.

Larger shops will have to wait until phase 2 on May 25th.These shops will be permitted to serve clients on a pre-booking basis only (ie, ring for an appointment beforehand) and are only allowed to cater for one client per staff member at any given time. Social distancing must be observed when attending to the client. Stores must install protective screening between clients and staff.

These businesses include, for example, drugstores, hardware stores, ferreterías, electrical retailers or hairdressers. According to the order published by the government, sanitization of the premises twice daily will be mandatory, one of these deep cleans after closing, to guarantee the elimination of the virus. Shops in which staff wear uniforms must wash staff clothing daily. Toilets may not be used by the clientele except in exceptional situations. In the case of shops where customer service necessarily prevents staff from observing 2 metre distancing from clients (for example, hairdressers, physiotherapy clinics or dental offices), both the professional and the client must use a mask. Again, make an appointment or ring beforehand; don´t just turn up as the shop may not be able to admit you.

Garden centres can open by APPOINTMENT ONLY.

Click for the Murcia Today business directory for supplier contact details.

STREET MARKETS CAN RESUME

Street markets may once again resume trading from May 11th but are only allowed to open at 25% of their normal capacity.

Whether they do so or not is a decision for each individual municipal council, of which there are 45 in this region, and each will make a decision based on its own local situation.

This week it has been confirmed that Cartagena will begin its de-escalation process by allowing only the market vendors selling fruit, vegetables and perishable produce to re-open in the markets which take place throughout the year (NOT the summer -only markets).

Click to see when these markets are open and where they are.

La Unión and Lorca WILL open their street markets next week. Click for la Unión

However, Murcia city municipality vendors have opted NOT to open their street markets. At the moment, the market traders working in the Murcia city municipality, which includes not only the City of Murcia but also areas such as Corvera, Sucina and Gea y Truyols, are not happy about the prospect of opening at 25% of their capacity next week.The traders and town hall have reviewed plans being put in place in not only other areas of the Murcia Region but also in the neighbouring provinces of Alicante and Almería, which include plans to limit the numbers of people allowed into the street at any given time, not allow the public to touch the produce, maintain social distancing between the public queueing to be served etc, and feel that with the high temperatures in Murcia, clients will also be unhappy about having to stand in queues at 11am in the morning in full sun, so they will wait to see if the government modifies the conditions it has laid down, restricting to markets to 25% of their normal size for the two weeks of phase 1. This situation may of course, change.

ITV CENTRES

ITV centres can re-open, but pre-booking is essential.

BURIALS AND PLACES OF WORSHIP

Up to 10 people can now attend a velatorio if this is in a closed space and 15 if it is outdoors. In burials there may be up to 15 attendees in addition to the officiant. Churches and other places of worship may open and conduct services but must limit their capacity to one third and attendees will have to wear a mask. There is to be no contact, so worshippers are not permitted to kiss objects of devotion and choirs are not allowed.

SCHOOLS AND UNIVERSITIES

They will open for disinfection tasks only, not teachers or pupils. Also to allow the pre-registration process for the forthcoming course.

LIBRARIES AND MUSEUMS

Loans and room reading are allowed, not studying or cultural activities. The books consulted will be set aside for 14 days afterwards. Museums can open at a third of their capacity and without guides. No cultural activities are permitted in either these buildings or in cafes or restaurants.

SHOWS

Dedicated venues can for a maximum of 30 people if they are closed spaces and 200 if they are open air events. There will be no brochures, open bar and venues will open earlier to avoid queues to enter. Tickets must be pre-purchased online.

SPORT

High-level athletes and professional leagues can train again, individually, with a coach. Other sports are permitted within the time limits established for daily exercise providing there is social distancing. This is an area which has not properly been defined and the information published in the BOE on Saturday focused only on professional and federated sportspeople, and did NOT cover the specifics of golf, sailing etc. For example, golf courses are allowed to open, players must maintain social distancing, may not move between provinces to play, must pre-book, must limit rounds to 4 players and are not allowed to use changing rooms.

Click here for full information about golf courses re-opening from 11th May.

Only sports which can be practiced alone, ie kitesurfing or cycling are permitted, not any team sports or anything which includes close contact. It is still not clear whether activity must be confined to the hours established for sporting activity; this has not been specified in the BOE. Further clarification is expected on this point as for example at the moment windsurfers are only permitted to sail between 6am and 10am and then again from 8pm to 11pm, but of course, there is no wind at these times!

BEACHES

It is permitted to walk along the shores in some municipalities, but in general beaches are closed. It is not permitted to sunbathe or sit on the beach. It is not permitted to swim in the sea.

SWIMMING POOLS

These may not be used and all public swimming pools are closed. It is not permitted to bathe in the sea or any freshwater sources, ie rivers.

LOCKDOWN CONTINUES

Exercising is permitted during the normal time limits established:

Adults (aged 14 to 69); 06:00 to 10:00 and again from 20:00 and 23:00.

Adults will be permitted to walk in pairs, provided that these same two people have been living together during the period of confinement, and children aged 14 and over are also included within this grouping.

A carer may walk with a patient. Anyone showing symptoms of Covid-19 is excluded from the physical activity as is anyone in quarantine.

Children 12:00 to 19:00.

Children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult.

Walks with dependents (ie elderly with a carer) and those aged 70+ 10:00 to 12:00 and 19:00 to 20:00

Driving Licences and ITV Centres

All local and provincial Tráfico offices are closed, so it is not currently possible to exchange or renew licences. Those who have licences about to expire will be granted extra time equivalent to the lockdown period in which to make the necessary applications once the State of Emergency has been lifted. if you receive a sanction, this can be paid online via:https://sede.dgt.gob.es/es/multas/paga-tu-multa/

ITV Centres have re-opened from May 11th BY PRIOR APPOINTMENT ONLY. You may still drive your vehicle if the ITV has expired during the lockdown period and a period of grace equivalent to the lockdown period will be granted, but IF YOUR ITV HAS EXPIRED  you can now make an appointment.

Post Offices:

The offices of Correos, the Spanish post office, are to open for only three hours a day and the number of staff on duty is to be reduced for as long as the coronavirus emergency lasts.

Correos explains that it is working to ensure that postal deliveries continue but will be calling on the services of only the most essential staff, and offices will be open to the public only between 9.30 and 12.30. Similarly, afternoon and Saturday deliveries have been suspended in areas where they were still in operation, and for the time being notifications of fines and other official documents have also been shelved.

The procedures regarding any official notifications and fines which are pending a second attempt at delivery will be re-set so that when deliveries resume another “first” attempt can be made.

In addition, registered post will be left in letterboxes rather than delivered by hand wherever possible for the duration of the emergency, and no signature will be required.

Residency applications/renewals

All extranjería (offices for foreigners) are closed and all services suspended. Any appointments pre-booked for the quarantine period are cancelled and a new appointment should be booked. At the moment no information has been published reference the 31st December Brexit deadline, although it is highly unlikely that this deadline will be extended, so it is important to follow through the booking process for an appointment after the State of Emergency is lifted.

Borders and International Travel

EU borders are closed.

All Spanish land borders are closed other than for merchant traffic and repatriation of Spanish citizens until 15th May. This period may be further extended.

All ferry services from Spain have been suspended and cruise ships are not allowed to dock in Spanish ports. Only merchant vessels are permitted.

National flights have been suspended and very few international flights remain as most airlines have cancelled their scheduled flights. Only a few repatriation flights remain via Madrid or Barcelona.

Residents of Spain are not permitted to travel between provinces until the provisional date of 22nd June.

National Travel

Those owning second homes may go to them from the 11th May onwards providing the property is located within the same province in which they habitually reside. In the case of the Murcia Region, the region is classified as being one province, so those owning properties who live in Murcia city, but have a second property on La Manga del Mar Menor, may go to their second property. However, those living outside of the region (ie their habitual residence is in Madrid, but they own a holiday property in La Manga,) are NOT allowed to travel here until after the 22nd June.

De-escalation (the four phase plan)

The de-escalation plan is a four stage, 8 week OUTLINE plan.

There are many details still to be discussed and confirmed, and many questions remain unanswered at present, but the outline of the pathway towards the new normality are as follows (REMEMBER: THE DATES ARE CONDITIONAL ON PROGRESS CONTINUING TO BE MADE) and there will undoubtedly be many alterations as we progress):

4th to 10th May: Phase 0 – preparation for de-escalation
During this phase some small retail outlets and other commercial enterprises will be allowed re-open to the public, although only when customers are able to make prior appointments for individualized attention and precautionary distancing measures such as screens and counters must be installed.

(Some retailers are concerned that the cost of installing screening and being forced to re-employ staff will outweigh the benefits of a partial re-opening)

Bars and restaurants will be allowed to offer takeaway food rather than only home deliveries.

Hairdressers are allowed to open (appointment only, to a maximum of 30% capacity; early booking recommended).

Professional sports teams will be allowed to return to training.

This phase will apply to all parts of Spain except four of the islands: La Gomera, La Graciosa and El Hierro in the Canaries and Formentera in the Balearics. Due to the low number of coronavirus cases on these islands – zero in the case of La Graciosa – they will pass directly onto Phase 1 as of 4th May.

11th to 24th May: Phase 1 See above BOE 3rd May

BOE 9th May: Click here

Up to 9 people will be permitted to travel in a single vehicle providing they all live at the same address, ending the one person only per vehicle rule.

Groups of 10 people will be permitted to gather either in private dwellings or in bars/restaurants.

Outdoor terrace at bars and restaurants may re-open, although the number of clients permitted will be restricted to 50 per cent of capacity. (Please note, originally the government announced that only 30% capacity would be permitted but this was amended on Saturday 3rd May to 50% following pressure from hostelry associations)

Hotels, other tourist accommodation and small shops will now be allowed to open for business, but with certain restrictions: the number of people allowed to use the facilities will be restricted, and communal areas (such as swimming pools in hotels) will remain closed.

In shops and other businesses a preferential timetable for clients aged over 65 will be established.

Some local street markets may be authorized if sufficient social distancing can be guaranteed. (Again, lots of dissent over this point.)

Large shopping malls will remain closed.

All businesses involved in food production will be allowed to resume their activity.

It is possible that cultural events may be held for audiences of up to 30 people indoors (and a maximum of a third of capacity) and 200 people outdoors (seated and with at least 2 metres between those attending).

Open-air sports facilities for non-contact sports such as tennis may be allowed to open. 

Churches, mosques and other places of worship will be allowed to hold services but with the number of people attending limited to a third of capacity.

25th May to 7th June - Phase 2
Permitted social contact will be made more extensive.
This phase will see the re-opening of cultural venues such as cinemas, theatres, exhibition centres and monuments, although with restrictions such as only a third of capacity being used and attendees or visitors being pre-assigned seats or spaces. Open-air concerts with audiences of up to 400 will be permitted, with all those attending seated.

Schools will be allowed to re-open in order to offer “reinforcement” classes to those pupils for whom they are deemed necessary, and in order to take care of children aged 6 or under whose parents are obliged to go to work. In addition, schools may be used as venues for the university entrance exams which are held at the end of the academic year.(Lot of arguments going on over this point at the moment.May well change).
However, normal schooling will not resume until September.

Bars and restaurants will now be allowed to welcome clients indoors, always providing “guarantees of distancing” and service at tables rather than at the bar, again up to a maximum of 30% capacity.

Hotels and other tourist accommodation will be allowed to open communal zones such as swimming pools to a third of capacity.
Hunting and angling will be permitted.

Cultural venues will now be allowed to increase the number of people visiting or in the audience to 50 per cent of capacity.

8th to 21st June – Phase 3
It is at this point that the government intends to become more flexible in terms of “general mobility”, allowing people to travel greater distances and for a wider variety of purposes. However, travel will not be possible between provinces in phase 3 and those remaining in phase 2.

Shops and businesses will now be able to cater for 50 per cent of their full capacity, always maintaining social distancing of 2 metres.

Shopping malls will now be allowed to re-open with the maximum footfall restricted to 50 per cent of capacity, and again maintaining social distancing of 2 metres.

The restrictions on bars and restaurants will be relaxed further, although details have yet to be specified.

It has been inferred that the beaches will be open to the public: nothing has yet been finalized concerning what precautionary measures will be established.

Wedding celebrations will be permitted with a limited number of guests.

By the end of Phase 3 provinces will be ready to embark on the “new normality” in Spain, a situation which, if all goes well in the meantime, will begin on Monday 22nd June and permit movement between provinces.

The only exceptions are four islands in the Balearics and the Canaries where the incidence of Covid-19 is extremely low – it had been speculated that Murcia could be added to this list of “early starters”, but in the end all mainland areas will start from the same point at the same time.

From then onwards, however, there may be different rates of progression in each of Spain’s 50 provinces, depending on how the pandemic develops or recedes. For this reason the dates are all hypothetical, and are supplied on the basis that developments continue to be positive in each province, allowing the next phase to begin.

It cannot be stressed strongly enough that this new normality is dependent on the pandemic continuing to subside in all parts of the country, as the implementation of each successive phase depends on the fortnightly reviews of individual provinces made by the government, but if everything were to go well throughout the country then before the end of June it will once more be possible to travel freely within Spain.

Exercising

Exercising permitted for all residents from 2nd May onwards:

Murcia and Lorca have decided to apply this exception to their outlying districts, so the "less than 5,000 rule " also applies in:

PLEASE STAY AT HOME AND RESPECT THE NEED TO AVOID THE FURTHER SPREAD OF THE CORONAVIRUS.

Formal documentation can be viewed here: Click State of Emergency documentation