Latest Lockdown Rules For Spain. Prime Minister Sanchez is tightening up the restrictions on movement and employment during the lockdown period.
Latest Lockdown Rules For Spain
Pedro Sanchez, Prime Minister of Spain, has announced that the current lockdown will be tightened and become “more severe” from Monday the 30th March until Thursday 9th April. Only “essential workers and businesses” will be able to continue. On Sunday the Spanish Parliament will pass the decree into law.
Prime Minister Sanchez has said today that “These measures will reduce, even more, the mobility of people, and will decrease the risk of contagion.”
Pedro Sanchez has described the lockdown as “severe”.
What Is Essential?
There has been some confusion during the current lockdown period as to what is actually considered essential. The Prime Minister has now clarified which sectors are included, and placed great importance on the need for everyone else to stay at home.
Commerce And Essential Services
- commercial establishments for food and beverages, essential goods and products
- pharmaceutical, medical, optical and orthopaedic businesses
- businesses involved with hygiene products
- retailers of press and stationery
- petrol station
- tobacconists
- technological equipment suppliers and maintenance
- telecommunications firms including television, radio, and press
- pet food supplies
- internet commerce, telephone or correspondence businesses
- laundries
- banks and financial institutions
- security and safety businesses
Essential services will continue to operate during the new lockdown period.
Essential Service Providers
All the companies that operate to supply products and services to these essential services are the only ones that will be able to continue operating between March 30 and April 9.
These will include activities related to the food sectors including crops and fishing, the manufacture of work clothes, the manufacture of pharmaceuticals, and those related to the transport and distribution of all products considered basic including energy, water and telecommunications.
Working From Home
Because these restrictions are designed to minimise movement and public interaction, working from home will be permitted. Businesses which can operate remotely with their staff will be able to continue trading without restrictions.
Employees will still be paid as normal despite not being able to work.
Employee Benefits
All workers not involved in the areas already specified are required by law to stop working. The government has assured all employees that they will continue to be paid as normal, receiving recoverable paid leave for two weeks. It is not currently clear how those who are self employed will be compensated.
Spain has registered 72,335 confirmed cases of the coronavirus. 5820 people have died from the virus in Spain, whilst 12,285 have recovered. In Andalucia there are 4277 cases of the coronavirus, 1053 of those are in the Malaga area.
Spain has extended it’s lockdown period until the 12th April, and all the country’s borders remain closed.
Lockdown Period
The lockdown will remain in place until the 12th April at the earliest. Police are likely to stop and question anyone who they believe may not be abiding by the rules. The government also has the right to draft in army support if civil unrest becomes an issue.
Coronavirus Mortality Rate
The mortality rate for coronavirus currently stands at around 3.4% globally (source: WHO). In direct comparison, the flu has a mortality rate of around 1% (source: WHO).
Experts maintain that there is no need for panic, and whilst infection can be unpleasant it is very unlikely to be fatal for anyone in good health.
Frequent hand washing is advised to help protect yourself from catching coronavirus.
Protect Yourself From Coronavirus
There are some simple steps you can take to minimise your risk of catching the coronavirus. The CDC has issued these guidelines:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
- It is not not recommended that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19 (coronavirus).
The CDC has advised against wearing facemasks.
Face masks Not Necessary
Despite the advice not to wear face masks, many pharmacies in the area are reporting that they have sold out. Chemist Juan Garcia in Malaga is urging people not to buy them until they are needed. “The face masks are not very effective at preventing you from catching a virus. Their main purpose is to prevent a carrier from spreading the illness. It’s better not to buy one unless you think you may be exposed. The best preventative measures would be to use hand gel frequently and maintain good personal hygiene”.
Published: 28.03.2020
Written by Dave James
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