Spain’s Council of Ministers on Tuesday approved a plan for the transition toward new normality, aiming at programming gradual easing of the most severe restrictions due to the COVID-19 crisis.
The Embassy of Spain in Abuja disclosed this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria.
According to the embassy, the plan, which will be in four phases, with each lasting a minimum of two weeks, is aimed at protecting the lives and health of the Spanish people.
It said that in Phase 0, which would be the preparation phase, a limited opening of economic activity would be allowed through some nationwide easement measures.
This will involve allowing children to go outside, establishments to open for clients having individual appointments or the opening of restaurants for take-out service only.
Regarding sporting in the 0 phase, individual training will be allowed for professional and federated athletes, and basic training for professional leagues.
The embassy said that Phase one would begin on May 11 in provinces that would meet the Dashboard targets.
According to the mission, the partial re-start of certain activities, mainly commercial, will be permitted, with preferential time slots for people over 65 years old.
In the foodservice industry, the opening of outdoor cafés will be limited to 30 per cent of their seating capacity.
The hospitality industry, the opening of hotels and tourist accommodations will exclude common areas and have further restrictions.
The agri-food and fishing industry may re-start the activities that had previously been restricted, whereas shopping centres will be an exception to the re-start measures because they involve larger crowds.
Also, places of worship must limit access to one-third of their legal capacity.
As for sports, high-performance centres will be allowed to open, with heightened hygiene and protection measures.
The embassy said that if the stipulated conditions and targets were met in Phase two, the foodservice industry establishments with the capacity for larger than 70 persons will be able to open for table service, to a maximum of one-third of their legal capacity.
It further added that the academic year would start in September, generally speaking, except for remedial activities, for children whose parents would need to go to work, or for university entrance examinations.
“Likewise, hunting and fishing for sport are scheduled to re-start.
“As regards leisure and culture, cinemas, theatres, auditoriums, and similar venues may open, with reserved seating and up to one-third of their legal capacity.
“During this phase, it will also be possible to visit monuments and other cultural venues such as exhibition and conference halls, up to one-third of their legal capacity.
“Other indoor cultural events and shows may be held that involve fewer than 50 participants, for up to a maximum of one-third of the venue’s legal capacity.
“On outdoors, such events and shows will be limited to 400 seated spectators.
“During this phase, places of worship must limit access to one-half of their legal capacity,” the mission said.
It said that Phase three, which would be the last stage toward returning to a new normal, would involve easing restrictions on general movement once the required targets were met.
The embassy stated that the recommendation on the use of masks outside the home and on public transport would be maintained.
“In the commercial sphere, permitted capacity will be restricted to half of the locale’s legal limit, setting a minimum social distance of two metres.
“In the foodservice sector, the limitations on permitted capacity will be eased somewhat, although strict social distancing requirements would remain in place,” it said.
NAN
