During a serious health crisis, like the one we are currently experiencing, the Spanish Government can declare a State of Alarm in order to improve the overall performance of the country to help put an end to the crisis. As far as we know, this general state of emergency will last until 00.00h of the 12th of April.

WHICH ARE THE MEASURES?

During the state of alarm, a number of existing legal rights can be limited to help solve the health crisis.

WE CANNOT MOVE FREELY ON THE STREETS: #StayAtHome

We must remain at home, and may only leave for specific reasons and in case of an emergency.

  • We can go out to work if we are in a company that is considered essential. The company has to provide us with a document in order for us to be able to move around. Any company that is deemed to be non-essential, must, if possible, facilitate teleworking.
  • We are allowed to go out to buy food (to supermarkets, bakeries…), to pharmacies, gas stations or tobacco shops. While in these stores, we must keep a safety distance of one and a half meters between each person and stay for the essential amount of time, as well as use gloves to pick up products. It is preferable to pay by card. These outings for survival must be done INDIVIDUALLY.
  • We can go out to accompany elderly relatives or people with autism, but it must always be justified. If you are driving with someone else, they must sit in the seat behind the co-driver, never next to you and never more than two people in the car.
  • We can leave the house to go to the hospital, medical centers, veterinary clinics and banks. At all times, these centres will remain open, but you are advised to contact them by phone first.
  • We can go outside to walk the dog, but no further than a hundred meters from our home. Each owner must carry a bottle of bleach to clean the dog’s urine and then collect the dog’s excrements.

CONSEQUENCES OF NON-COMPLIANCE

1º The police can stop anyone on the street and ask them why they are outside as well as set up roadblocks.

2º Fines ranging from 601 to 30,000 euros will be imposed.

3º Any person who resists authority may be arrested, and even prosecuted for the crime of disobedience or assault against authority.

WHAT CHANGES WITH THE STATE OF ALARM

HEALTH

In order to ensure that medical centres have the personnel and the material means necessary to carry out their work, medical equipment may be requisitioned from any company or private subject in order to make it available.

EDUCATION

All on-site activities, in all educational centres, at all levels, are suspended. If possible, classes will be carried out on-line. If you have registered for a private course that will not be followed online, you can ask for a refund.

TRANSPORTATION

Public transport for passengers on any given route will be reduced by 50%, except for the metro, suburban trains or buses, in order to avoid crowding and to ensure that it is possible to maintain the safety distance. All means of transport will be cleaned and disinfected on a daily basis. You must enter the bus through the back door, without approaching the driver not even to pay. The transportation of goods (food, sanitary products…) will be guaranteed at all times.

HOTEL AND CATERING INDUSTRY

Neither hotels nor restaurants will be open to the public, but they can provide a delivery service.

SHOWS, MUSEUMS, LIBRARIES

Are totally closed to the public. Also, parties and celebrations are forbidden, both in nightclubs and in open spaces. In any case, many activities can be carried out on-line, some are even free: watching films, theatre plays, accessing e-books, concerts… Check out official websites or Social Media

ADMINISTRATION

Deadlines in any activity or procedure are suspended in the Justice and in the Public Administration in general. This will have consequences in terms of unemployment, appointments in foreign affairs or asylum, etc.