As four of Spain’s areas move to Phase 3, what will change on Monday?

Phase 3 of Spain’s ongoing coronavirus deescalation plan will be implemented on Monday on the Canary Islands of El Hierro, La Gomera and La Graciosa, and the Balearic Island of Formentera. The Official State Gazette (BOE) containing the details of this, the last in the four phases, was published on Saturday.

Under Phase 3, street cafés will be able to open at 75% capacity, while summer day camps and outdoor activities will be permitted for children, albeit with limited numbers. Patrons will be able to be served at bars once more, provided they respect a two-meter distance with other customers or groups of customers. Also permitted will be social meetings of up to 20 people.

The timetables for taking walks and exercise will be completely eliminated under Phase 3

Casinos, betting houses and bingo halls can also reopen under Phase 3, with capacity limited to 50% and an overall limit of 50 people. The timetables for taking walks and exercise – which in areas in Phase 2 had been reduced to just specific times for seniors – are also completely eliminated.

Travel between provinces, islands or territorial units will still be limited under this phase, with some exceptions, such as for work reasons, to return to one’s primary residence, or for reasons of force majeure. But daily routines will be inching toward what the Spanish government has dubbed “the new normality,” with safety measures still front and center.

Extreme measures of hygiene and precautions will be required when there is contact with those who are especially vulnerable to Covid-19, and home-working will still be recommended where possible. All retail outlets will be able to open regardless of their size, provided that capacity is limited to 50% and social distancing of two meters is observed between customers – if this is not possible, only one customer will be able to enter at a time.

Common and recreational areas in shopping malls will be able to reopen, at 40% capacity. Stores located in malls will be able to accept 50% of their usual capacity.

Cultural activities will be permitted in libraries and museums, while groups of up to 30 people will be able to enjoy nature and active tourism. Zoos and aquariums can reopen with a limit of 50% capacity, while congresses can go ahead with up to 80 attendees.

English version by Simon Hunter.