The regulations for crisis management for the COVID-19 pandemic are broad and changing, as is the epidemiological situation, which is causing governments around the world to have to readapt their legislation.
Taking into account the time of writing this article (June 16th 2020) if the epidemiological situation allows it, the state of alarm will be cancelled on June 21st. Lockdown will be over, and free movement allowed.
However, the need for a new regulatory framework for the prevention, containment, and coordination to face the health crisis, led to the promulgation of a new Royal Decree-Law 21/2020, 9th June.
Mandatory declaration of COVID-19 :
It establishes the obligation of medical centres, social services and professionals who work in them, to provide the public health authority with all the data necessary for the follow-up and epidemiological surveillance of COVID- 19 included, the data necessary for the personal identification of the patient and their contacts.
Mandatory use of face masks :
The regulation maintains, under a fine of up to 100 euros, the mandatory use of masks on public roads, in open air and in closed spaces for public use or that are open to the public, as well as in transport. Incorrectly fitting the mask, (for example leaving the nose uncovered), is also punishable. The use of masks in private vehicles is mandatory if the occupants do not live together in the same home. Exceptions: children under six years of age, to be able to guarantee an interpersonal safety distance of at least 1.5 meters * and practicing outdoor sports alone. A mask will not be required for people who have some type of respiratory illness or difficulty, as long as they can prove it.
* It is important to point out, that although we believe that the distance can be maintained in certain circumstances, it may not always be possible , for example when on the public road due to the narrowness of the street another pedestrian passes closer, for which it is possible to be penalized. Regarding the entry into stores and offices, entry with a mask may be required, although according to our understanding, we could still maintain interpersonal distance.
Educational centres:
Students, teachers, staff of educational centres and visitors must take careful hygiene measures. The entrances and exits will be clearly marked with interpersonal distance of 1.5 meter. To avoid crowds, it is recommended to stagger the access and exits. Mandatory use of a hygienic mask, for all over 6 years old. It is recommended not to share school supplies. With regard to teachers and staff, the risk prevention service must evaluate the existence of workers especially sensitive to coronavirus infection and issue a report on prevention measures. In cleaning tasks, special attention will be taken to common use areas and the most frequent contact surfaces such as doorknobs, tables, furniture, handrails, floors, telephones, hangers, and other elements with similar characteristics, using disinfectants such as diluted bleach.
Means of transport:
Chapter III contains various rules that enables the provision of seats and the volume of occupation to be regulated in passenger transport services by sea, rail and road, all of which are within the State’s jurisdiction. In any case, crowds should be avoided, as well as respecting the measures on the volume of occupancy of vehicles and trains. Transport operators with a preassigned seat number must keep the passengers’ contact information for a minimum of four weeks for contact tracing
All Spanish airlines, (Iberia, Air Europa, Vueling, Air Nostrum, Binter, etc ) have begun to apply the European protocol of sanitary security for air transport and applying daily disinfection procedures, with HEPA filters, the cabin nebulization procedure; magazines and menu cards have been removed.
Travellers rights:
Returns and travel vouchers – The Royal Decree-Law 11/2020, of March 31st, which deals with measures to deal with Covid-19. Article 36 is amended, regarding the right of the resolution of certain types of contracts without penalty from consumers and users. When it may be impossible to provide travel or services as a result of the measures imposed by the different administrations during the Covid-19 regulations and vouchers are offered to passengers and tourists as an alternative to reimbursement, the article is modified to allow the possibility of issuing the vouchers for voluntary acceptance in advance by the passenger, and to establish an automatic 14-day period for reimbursement of the amount, at the end of its validity period, if it has not been redeemed.
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