Over the past few weeks, asking our friends and family what phase they are in, or having doubts about what you can do in your phase, has become commonplace for those of us who reside in Spain. In today’s post, we are going to analyse the consequences of entering Phase 2 and Phase 3 for the Spanish provinces.

It seems that our fight against COVID-19 is progressing satisfactorily, and this week some provinces such as Barcelona and Madrid have entered Phase 2. Good news for the citizens who live there, including some of our colleagues from OTIS Advocaten.

During Phase 2, the number of people who we can meet with has been increased from ten to fifteen, and the citizens will be able to play sports in any time slot, with the exception of those between 10 am and 12 am and between 7 pm and 8 pm, which is reserved for those over 70 and vulnerable people.

Shopping malls and parks reopen, but with limitations: it is not allowed to stay in the common or recreational areas, capacity is limited to 40% and people over 65 will be attended within preferential hours. Open-air markets expand the capacity of stalls to a third of the usual ones.

Restaurants will be able to welcome customers inside, although they will not be able to consume at the bar, only at the table and with a capacity limited to one third. Cinemas, theatres and auditoriums reopen, with a seat previously assigned to customers and limitation of a third of the capacity.

Long awaited by all of us, the reopening of the beaches happens during this Phase 2, where the practice of sports, professional or recreational activities will be allowed.

In addition, weddings can be held again, provided that they do not exceed fifty percent of their capacity. A maximum of one hundred people in open spaces or fifty in closed spaces. In the hospitality industry, the reopening of common areas is allowed, with a third of its usual capacity.

On the other hand, also this week, provinces like Málaga or Mallorca –home of other of our colleagues from OTIS Advocaten- inter Phase 3. Let’s see what the main implications are.

All time slots are removed and groups of up to 20 people are allowed.

Reopening of hotel and restaurant establishments, for consumption on the premises and provided that it does not exceed 50% of its capacity. Consuming at the bar is allowed again, but a minimum separation of 2 meters between customers must be guaranteed.

On outdoor terraces, seating will be limited to 75% of the tables allowed, with a maximum occupancy of 20 people. Dancing will not be allowed in the discotheques and cocktail bars, although consuming.

Weddings can be held with a maximum number of 150 attendees outdoors and 75 indoors. Of course, you can never exceed 75% of the capacity of the facilities.

Companies during Phase 3 may dictate protocols for reincorporation of its employees to the premises, establishing staggered schedules and enhancing conciliation measures. However, teleworking is still the main and best option.

Shops and little businesses can open with 50% of the capacity. As for shopping malls, the ban on the use of common areas and recreational areas is lifted. Of course, the capacity will be limited to 50% and the safety distance will be kept at two meters. Likewise, the capacity of the premises and establishments located in them is also set at 50%. Open-air markets may increase their activity to 50% of the stalls or they may increase the surface area that allows a similar distance between stalls.

Cinemas, theatres, auditoriums, marquee circuses and similar show spaces will see their seating capacity increased to 50%.

Hotels during Phase 2 already opened the common areas with a limitation of a third of the capacity. In this new phase the capacity increases to 50%. In addition, the animation activities or classes must be designed with a maximum capacity of 20 people and preferably outdoors.

Bathing on the beach is allowed in safe and remote conditions.

As we have seen, getting used to this new daily reality can take some time, especially when it comes to knowing what to do and what not to do, both for ordinary citizens and for merchants.