Q&A: When will we be able to meet friends and family in Spain?
The new “plan for transition towards the new normality” was unveiled by Pedro Sanchez in a televised address to the nation on Tuesday evening.
He talked about a gradual loosening of restrictions to be introduced in phases at different times in different parts of Spain depending on the evolution of the coronavirus crisis locally.
But one of the burning questions is when will residents in Spain - who have been isolated in their homes since March 14th except for authorised trips for shopping and seeking medical care - be allowed to visit friends and family?
The ministerial order outlines plans to open restaurants, firstly for takeaway and then outdoor tables with a reduced occupancy, so the overcrowded bars and bustling restaurants. Basically socializing as we know it in Spain, is still some time away.
READ MORE: What we know about Spain's 'plan for transition to a new normal'
But when will it be considered permissable to pay a visit to a friend’s home or have family over for dinner?
More details providing the exact answer to that question is expected before the government launches Phase 1 of the plan but the PM did reply to a journalist’s question (asked via Zoom) that in theory it will be possible to meet friends and family, as long as they reside in the same province, from Phase 1.
Although the exact rules over such meetings have yet to be published, a government spokesman said on Wednesday that small groups would be able to meet either in one another's homes or a public place such as the terraza of a bar.
However, this likely won’t include visits to those who are considered vulnerable – such as the elderly or people with underlying heath conditions that puts them in a higher risk group – and visits to residential care homes would be allowed until later phases.
So, socializing in small groups with friends and families who live within the same province could be allowed as soon as May 11 with the introduction of Phase 1, if the province within which you live has met the criteria to enter that phase.
The government said that gatherings of up to ten people per group will also be allowed from May 11th.
These can take place at a private address or outdoors but under no circumstances can people who are part of the high risk group attend these meetings.
And by phase 2 you should be able to visit friends in their home within the same province.
Travel to other provinces won’t be allowed until both the province in which you live, and the one you want to visit have both entered the final stage – Phase 3.
And no clear indication has yet been given of when Spain might reopen its borders and allow foreign visitors.
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He talked about a gradual loosening of restrictions to be introduced in phases at different times in different parts of Spain depending on the evolution of the coronavirus crisis locally.
But one of the burning questions is when will residents in Spain - who have been isolated in their homes since March 14th except for authorised trips for shopping and seeking medical care - be allowed to visit friends and family?
The ministerial order outlines plans to open restaurants, firstly for takeaway and then outdoor tables with a reduced occupancy, so the overcrowded bars and bustling restaurants. Basically socializing as we know it in Spain, is still some time away.
READ MORE: What we know about Spain's 'plan for transition to a new normal'
But when will it be considered permissable to pay a visit to a friend’s home or have family over for dinner?
More details providing the exact answer to that question is expected before the government launches Phase 1 of the plan but the PM did reply to a journalist’s question (asked via Zoom) that in theory it will be possible to meet friends and family, as long as they reside in the same province, from Phase 1.
Although the exact rules over such meetings have yet to be published, a government spokesman said on Wednesday that small groups would be able to meet either in one another's homes or a public place such as the terraza of a bar.
However, this likely won’t include visits to those who are considered vulnerable – such as the elderly or people with underlying heath conditions that puts them in a higher risk group – and visits to residential care homes would be allowed until later phases.
So, socializing in small groups with friends and families who live within the same province could be allowed as soon as May 11 with the introduction of Phase 1, if the province within which you live has met the criteria to enter that phase.
The government said that gatherings of up to ten people per group will also be allowed from May 11th.
These can take place at a private address or outdoors but under no circumstances can people who are part of the high risk group attend these meetings.
And by phase 2 you should be able to visit friends in their home within the same province.
Travel to other provinces won’t be allowed until both the province in which you live, and the one you want to visit have both entered the final stage – Phase 3.
And no clear indication has yet been given of when Spain might reopen its borders and allow foreign visitors.
READ ALSO:
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