Lifting lockdown in Spain: What changes in Phase 3?

Some 78 percent of Spain is now in Phase 3, which under the governments four stage “plan for the transition to the new normal”, Phase 3 is the final step before arriving at the new normal.

Two more provinces - that of Lleida and Barcelona - were given the go ahead to advance to Phase 3 on Thursday meaning 37 million Spaniards are now enjoying new freedoms. 

The map shows that all of Spain is now in Phase 3 except Madrid and parts of Castilla y Leon which remain in Phase 2. 

It means that your province or health authority zone has already successfully advanced from the preparatory Phase 0, through Phase 1 and 2 to arrive at Phase 3.

The main differences between the last two phases of the de-escalation plan are the increased limit on capacity at bars, restaurants, shops and cultural venues and that even bigger groups of people are allowed to gather.

The occupancy on a terrace of a bar or restaurant rises from 50 percent in Phase 2 to 75 percent in Phase 3.

While bars are now allowed to open inside  with 50 percent maximum capacity although they must have safety measures in place that include hand sanitizer at the door, table service and being able to maintain a safe social distance of 2 metres between people who you don’t live with.

READ MORE: What changes about life in Spain under the 'new normal'

The number of people allowed to meet socially has risen from 15 under Phase 2 to up to 20 people during Phase 3.

The timetable which gave different age groups specific hours in which to go outside and exercise has been eliminated in the final phase. There are no restrictions on when you can leave the house and for what purpose.

Group sports (and that includes exercise classes at the gym) can be practised between up to 20 people as long as they are non-contact sports.

Casinos, gaming halls and betting shops can open with a reduced capacity of 50 percent and maximum of 50 people.

Youth activities such as summer camps can carry on with a third of the usual capacity and a maximum of 80 people if inside and 50 percent and a maximum of 200 people if outdoors.

Amusement parks, zoos, aquariums and that sort of thing can open with 50 percent of capacity outside and 30 percent inside.

Tour groups can restart their guided tours with up to 20 people.

All shops can now open regardless of the size including shopping malls as long as capacity does not exceed 50 percent.

Cinemas, theatres, shows, concerts can all open but with 50 percent occupancy and a chair’s space between each person not from the same household with up to 80 people indoors and 200 people in the openair.

Weddings, baptism and first communions can now go ahead with 75 percent of the venue’s capacity and up to 75 people when indoors and 150 people when outdoors..

Libraries, museums and exhibition spaces can welcome 50 percent of the usual capacity.

Hotels can now open their common areas including spas for up to 50 percent usual capacity.

Work conferences can have up to 80 attendees.

What other rules are in place?

However there are exceptons for those who have respiratory, health or behaviourial problems that make the wearing of a mask impossible or if you are eating or drinking.  

READ MORE: Face masks are now mandatory in Spain: What you need to know

What next? 

The Spanish government has decided that regional authorities will be given the responsibility for deciding when their provinces can transition from Phase 3 to the "new normal" which means it could be possible before June 21st when the state of alarm officially ends. 

Once transition has been decided, travel between provinces that have also advanced beyond Phase 3 should be allowed. 

READ MORE: OPINION: What will Spain be like to live and work in after the coronavirus crisis?