As a continuation of the information bulletins issued by this office related to COVID-19, we inform you that Barcelona is currently in phase 2 of the plan for the return to the new normality after the declaration of the state of alarm.
Although the state of alarm is maintained, the so-called “de-confinement” has begun, a period which in turn is divided into several phases of transition towards this new normality.
The aforementioned phase 2 relaxes certain restrictions that were established due to the health crisis, regulated in Order SND/414/2020, of 16 May.
In this note we will focus on the commercial sector and the reopening of:
A) Establishments and retail commercial premises and professional services activities whose activity had been suspended after the declaration of the state of alarm
In the retail and service sector, it is permitted to open them regardless of their useful exhibition and sales area, provided that their total capacity is reduced to 40%. Let us remember that the fundamental difference with the previous phase is that only those with an area of 400 square meters or less could open.
B) Shopping centres and parks
Shopping centres and parks may be reopened to the public, provided that, among other things
- Their total capacity is limited to 30% of their common areas.
- That it is limited to 40% of the capacity of each of the commercial establishments located in them.
- Customers are not allowed to remain in the common areas except for mere transit between the commercial establishments.
- The use of recreational areas such as children’s areas, playgrounds or rest areas is prohibited and must remain closed.
C) Hotel and restaurant activities
With respect to the development of hotel and restaurant activities, the premises may be reopened to the public for consumption, except for discotheques and nightlife bars, provided that they do not exceed 40% of their capacity and that additional hygiene conditions are met.
However, consumption on the premises may only take place at a table, or group of tables, and preferably by prior reservation.
It should be remembered that in the previous phase, only open-air terraces with a maximum occupancy of ten people per table or group of tables were allowed to be reopened to the public, with a limit of 50% of the number of tables allowed compared to the previous year.
D) Opening of hotels and tourist accommodation
The common areas of hotels and tourist accommodation may be reopened to the public provided that they do not exceed one third of their capacity.
E) Travelling/street markets
The markets that carry out their activity in the open air or for non-sedentary sales in the public thoroughfare, commonly called flea markets, which have already restarted their activity or are restarting it by decision of the corresponding Town Hall from the entry into force of this order, will be guaranteed to be limited to one third of the usual or authorised stalls, limiting the influx of customers in such a way as to ensure that the social distance of two meters is maintained.
This Order also regulates, by way of illustration, visits to supervised housing, residential centres for the disabled and residential centres for the elderly, as well as the hygiene and prevention measures applicable to each of them.
We will continue to keep you informed of any new developments related to the effects of COVID-19.
If you have any questions regarding the effects of COVID-19, please do not hesitate to contact this firm by e-mail at info@busquets-abogados.com.