SPAIN has moved into the first phase of its gradual relaxation of coronavirus lockdown restrictions, and yesterday saw hotels, restaurants and bars re-open, albeit with some limitations.
Around half of its population of 47 million were, from yesterday, allowed to socialise with up to 10 people at the same time, shop in small
establishments and enjoy a meal or coffee in restaurants and bars with outdoor seating.
For the time being, consumption is not allowed within premises. This will have to wait until the second phase of de-escalation, which is expected to start on May 25 in areas which meet the hygiene requirements to do so.
Hotels are allowed to open as long as they do not allow guests to mix in public areas.
Plastic barriers and face masks appeared on the streets of newly reopened cities, as social distancing was the order of the day, although how to do that on public transport and in schools is, as yet, an unanswered question.
Spain’s two biggest cities, Barcelona and Madrid, did not enjoy the same freedom of movement as others yesterday, as they remained on a stricter lockdown.
As part of the relaxing of restrictions, Catalonia has been divided into nine health regions, three of which – Tarragona, Ebre and the western
Pyrenees – took their first steps on what could be a long road out of confinement.
Museums and religious buildings were also allowed to open at 30% of their capacity as part of the first phase, along with libraries, with limited capacity.
Gymnasiums, too, were allowed to open but only for individual appointments.
More than 11% of Catalan residents are from yesterday allowed to travel within their health region, including to second homes.
Catalan President Quim Torra, meanwhile, said he wanted to make the wearing of protective face masks mandatory in public areas. Government sources told the Catalan News Agency (ANC) that he made the request during a video conference with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and leaders of the country’s other autonomous regions.
Masks are already compulsory for people travelling on public transport in Spain, but not in other public areas.
Torra said he had also urged Sanchez to use public money to introduce “an economy-saving policy to save lives and jobs”.
He said: “This country will not make budget cuts.”
A series of measures have been proposed to stimulate the Catalan post-pandemic economy, including the introduction of paid leave for families with children or other dependents and “freezing time” for small and
medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and self-employed people, during which any pending fees and taxes would be delayed.
Last month, Sanchez proposed a minimum basic income which he said would come into effect in May. That has still to happen, and Torra urged him to implement it urgently, along with the measures to help businesses.
He said: “It is essential that in the coming three months no businesses shut down and we lose no jobs, a massive bailout for firms is key.
“The Spanish government has to understand that whatever is not spent in the coming months will have to be multiplied if companies go bankrupt.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here