Spain has one of the strictest confinements in the world, aimed at fighting the coronavirus epidemic. This Tuesday, Pedro Sanchez has just announced the much-awaited deconfinement plan. Unlike other countries, Spain has chosen to carry out asymmetric deconfinement, that is to say different depending on the region. This “desescalada” will be divided into 4 phases, and each will include rules and prohibitions depending on the sectors and activities. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you all about the dates and the official calendar for the deconfinement plan in Spain.
Dates and official calendar of the deconfinement plan in Spain
The Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced this Wednesday the deconfinement plan which will be asymmetrical and divided into several phases. Each phase will have a minimum duration of 2 weeks.
PHASE ZERO
Phase zero is the phase in which all of Spain is currently. This is the “preparation” phase for deconfinement. On May 11th, the autonomous regions that meet certain criteria will go into phase 1. From next weekend, individual physical activity as well as walks will be allowed. Given the minimal incidence of infections and if evolution allows, Formentera, Baleares, Gomera, del Hierro and Graciosa in the Canaries can anticipate entering phase 1.
PHASE 1
The next phase is phase 1, in which the partial start-up of small businesses will be authorized in each territorial phase defined under strict security measures, except for large shopping centers, where large crowds can occur. A preferential schedule for people over 65 will be set up in stores. In public transport, the use of the mask will be strongly recommended.
In phase 1, small businesses or terraces may open with restrictions, as well as hotels and accommodations according to each province. In phase 1, places of worship can open with a 30% limitation.
PHASE 2
Phase 2 will be a gradual opening of many places. Pedro Sanchez has finally announced that in phase 2, cinemas and theaters will be opened with a limit of one third of capacity. During this new phase, the interior space of the restaurant premises may be opened for table service.
Cultural events can take place with less than 50 people in places with suitable capacity, and if it is outdoors, it will be possible if they gather less than 400 people and as long as they are seated.
Hunting and sport fishing will be authorized.
Pedro Sanchez presented the deconfinement plan for Spain
PHASE 3
The third phase is the advanced phase: once the required markers are filled, the mobility restrictions will be limited. In the restaurant sector, the seating restrictions will be a little less limited, but with a strict separation between the public.
The capacity of commercial establishments will be limited to 50% with a distance of two meters. It’s only during this phase three that it will be possible to go to the beach.
Each of the phases described will have a minimum period of two weeks. This means that the de-escalation phase will last at least six weeks, or a month and a half. "
Pedro Sanchez announces that if all goes well, the earliest return to normal will be on June 8th. At the end of these three phases in each territory, the “de-escalation” will be finished and the "new normal" will be in place. At that point, the social restrictions will end ", but the sanitary and hygienic recommendations will be maintained.
Pedro Sánchez insists that the deconfinement will be asymmetrical:" The pandemic has unevenly hit our country and the health systems are not in the same state in different regions ”.
WHAT WILL THE CRITERIA FOR DECONFINATION BE?
First, the strategic capacities of the health system, both in its primary care aspect - notably the number of beds available in ICU.
Second, the epidemiological situation in the region.
Third, collective protection measures at work, in commerce and in public transport.
Fourth, mobility and socioeconomic data. According to Pedro Sanchez, these benchmarks will be public, they will be transparent, so that citizens can know the decisions of administrators.
