- Region
- Águilas
- Alhama de Murcia
- Jumilla
- Lorca
- Los Alcázares
- Mazarrón
- San Javier
-
ALL AREAS & TOWNS
- AREAS
- SOUTH WEST
- MAR MENOR
- MURCIA CITY & CENTRAL
- NORTH & NORTH WEST
- TOWNS
- Abanilla
- Abarán
- Aguilas
- Alamillo
- Alcantarilla
- Aledo
- Alhama de Murcia
- Archena
- Balsicas
- Blanca
- Bolnuevo
- Bullas
- Cañadas del Romero
- Cabo de Palos
- Calasparra
- Camping Bolnuevo
- Campo De Ricote
- Camposol
- Canada De La Lena
- Caravaca de la Cruz
- Cartagena
- Cehegin
- Ceuti
- Cieza
- Condado de Alhama
- Corvera
- Costa Cálida
- Cuevas De Almanzora
- Cuevas de Reyllo
- El Carmoli
- El Mojon
- El Molino (Puerto Lumbreras)
- El Pareton / Cantareros
- El Raso
- El Valle Golf Resort
- Fortuna
- Fuente Alamo
- Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort
- Hacienda Riquelme Golf Resort
- Isla Plana
- Islas Menores & Mar de Cristal
- Jumilla
- La Azohia
- La Charca
- La Manga Club
- La Manga del Mar Menor
- La Pinilla
- La Puebla
- La Torre
- La Torre Golf Resort
- La Unión
- Las Palas
- Las Ramblas
- Las Ramblas Golf
- Las Torres de Cotillas
- Leiva
- Librilla
- Lo Pagan
- Lo Santiago
- Lorca
- Lorquí
- Los Alcázares
- Los Balcones
- Los Belones
- Los Canovas
- Los Nietos
- Los Perez (Tallante)
- Los Urrutias
- Los Ventorrillos
- Mar De Cristal
- Mar Menor
- Mar Menor Golf Resort
- Mazarrón
- Mazarrón Country Club
- Molina de Segura
- Moratalla
- Mula
- Murcia City
- Murcia Property
- Pareton
- Peraleja Golf Resort
- Perin
- Pilar de la Horadada
- Pinar de Campoverde
- Pinoso
- Playa Honda
- Playa Honda / Playa Paraíso
- Pliego
- Portmán
- Pozo Estrecho
- Puerto de Mazarrón
- Puerto Lumbreras
- Puntas De Calnegre
- Region of Murcia
- Ricote
- Roda Golf Resort
- Roldan
- Roldan and Lo Ferro
- San Javier
- San Pedro del Pinatar
- Santiago de la Ribera
- Sierra Espuña
- Sucina
- Tallante
- Terrazas de la Torre Golf Resort
- Torre Pacheco
- Totana
- What's On Weekly Bulletin
- Yecla
- EDITIONS: Spanish News Today Alicante Today Andalucia Today
article_detail
Date Published: 11/05/2020
ARCHIVED - What is permitted in phase 1 of lockdown de-escalation from 11th May onwards
Can I shop with my partner, can 2 people travel in a car, is the bar open today?
The de-escalation process moves into phase 1 today, but only 51% of Spain has been permitted to move into phase 1; Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria, the Basque Country, La Rioja, Navarra, Aragon, Extremadura, Murcia, the Canary Islands, the Balearic Islands, Ceuta and Melilla all pass completely to phase 1, but the decision was taken at the weekend to limit the progression of areas in which either the number of cases is considered to be too high, or there has been a recent increase in the number of new cases declared. These areas will remain at phase zero pending review.
This includes part of Cataluña, the Valencia Region, as well as six provinces within Andalucía. and almost all of Castilla y León.
In brief, from today the easing of restrictions permits further economic activity and there are fewer movement restrictions, even though the state of alarm continues. On Saturday the Prime Minster indicated that he would like to maintain the state of alarm until the end of the transition to the "new normal", which is provisionally scheduled for the 22nd June. Whether the opposition parties will permit this to happen is another thing altogether, as the state of emergency gives the government wide-ranging powers and can continue to impose measures which effectively limit the power of the autonomous governments.
Last week the government was successfully able to navigate through the political morass and gain sufficient votes to pass the last extension to the state of emergency, which takes us up to May 25th; whether it will successfully push any further extensions through will depend on how successfully it implements the demands made by the governments of Spain’s 17 autonomous regions and political parties during the next 10 days.
Although many businesses are today able to return to work, making an appointment to visit their establishments is essential, and booking for restaurants is also essential as social distancing must be observed and the businesses and restaurants will be working with limited capacity.
Although from today there is greater freedom of movement it’s important to continue to take extreme caution as there are still more than 65,000 active cases of Covid-19 in Spain at the moment, and although these people should be observing quarantine at home, it is logical that some people will ignore their responsibilities and go out, and of course, their close family members may also be contagious, so take care out there.
Basic changes from today
FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT THROUGHOUT THE PROVINCE
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.
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).
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
Remember: LOCKDOWN MEANS LOCKDOWN. STAY AT HOME. STAY SAFE AND DO YOUR BIT TO REDUCE THE SPREAD OF CORONAVIRUS.
Follow Murcia Today on Facebook to keep up to date with all the latest updates locally for the Region of Murcia and the main information for the rest of Spain: https://www.facebook.com/MurciaToday/.
Contact Murcia Today: Editorial 966 260 896 /
Office 968 018 268