Here are the new restrictions for Madrid once the regional state of alarm expires

The Madrid region will have new general coronavirus measures in place from 4.48pm today, when the government-imposed state of alarm that was implemented on October 9, involving a perimetral confinement of nine municipalities, expires. The regional government has opted to return to restrictions based on basic healthcare areas, as well as limits on opening hours. The limitations will have to be ratified by the Madrid High Court, which has so far backed all of the regional government’s initiatives.

These are the new general measures announced on Friday by the region’s health chiefs.

Six people. Meetings both in public and in private are limited to six throughout the region during daytime hours, apart from those who live together.

Nighttime restrictions. Madrid is introducing its own version of a curfew, which limits “activity but not mobility,” and bans any social meeting throughout the region in public and private between midnight and 6am apart from for people who live together and in exceptional circumstances, such as caring for seniors or the sick, or other reasons of work or force majeure. Transport is not prohibited during this time frame, however, meaning people can freely move around if they need to for work purposes.

Hospitality. Bar service has been suspended while indoor dining capacity is limited to 50%, and has been increased from 50% to 75% on sidewalk cafés. Bars and restaurants cannot open before 6am and will have to close at 12am, with no customers permitted to enter after 11pm. This is an hour later for both time frames than under the state of alarm, meaning that these new restrictions actually increase opening hours for the hospitality sector.

Trade. Commercial establishments and the service sector will not be able to start activity before 6am and must close at 10pm. Exceptions include essential services such as pharmacies and gas stations. Capacity has been increased from 50% under the state of alarm to 75%. This timetable is also applicable to betting houses, where the capacity will be reduced to 50%. Shopping malls that house cinemas, restaurants and other leisure services will be able to close at midnight.

Entertainment. Cinemas, theaters, circuses and other establishments dedicated to recreational activities are limited to 75% capacity, unless they are multi-purpose venues such as arenas, which will remain at 40%. They must close at midnight, as will university residences.

Sports. Sporting facilities cannot open before 6am and will have to close at midnight. Gyms will see capacity limited to 50% and groups sports to six people.

Parks and gardens. These venues must close at midnight.

Funerals. Capacity is limited to 50% in funeral homes as well as in places of worship.

Academies. Capacity will be limited to 60%.

Measures for healthcare areas

As well as the above general measures for the region, stricter mobility and capacity restrictions will be put in place from Monday in 32 basic healthcare areas in 12 municipalities, including in the capital.

In the city of Madrid, they will apply to the following areas: Núñez Morgado (Chamartín district); Guzmán el Bueno (Chamberí), San Andrés, San Cristóbal and El Espinillo (Villaverde); Entrevías, Peña Prieta, Alcalá de Guadaira, Rafael Alberti, Numancia and Pozo del Tío Raimundo (Puente de Vallecas); Daroca (Ciudad Lineal); Vinateros-Torito, Pavones and Vandel (Moratalaz); Puerta del Ángel (Latina); Virgen de Begoña (Fuencarral); and Infanta Mercedes and Villaamil (Tetuán).

Outside of Madrid, the perimetral lockdown will affect the healthcare areas of Collado Villalba (in the municipality of Collado Villalba); Guadarrama (Guadarrama); Majadahonda (Majadahonda); San Juan de la Cruz (Pozuelo de Alarcón); San Blas and Pintores (Parla); Colmenar Viejo Norte (Colmenar Viejo); Morata de Tajuña (Morata de Tajuña); Las Fronteras and Brújula (Torrejón de Ardoz); El Boalo (Manzanares el Real); Villarejo de Salvanes (Villarejo de Salvanes) and Colmenar de Oreja (Colmenar de Oreja).

Perimetral confinement. All of the above areas will be confined, apart from justified reasons such as going for medical care or to work.

Hospitality. Establishments must limit capacity to 50% inside and outside, and bar service is prohibited. The last customers will be accepted at 11pm and bars and restaurants must close by midnight apart from for home delivery. Tables must be 1.5 meters apart and limited to a maximum of six patrons. These limits also apply to betting houses.

Trade. All establishments must limit capacity to 50% and close by 10pm. The exceptions are essential business such as doctors and pharmacies.

Funerals and religious services. Places of worship must limit capacity to a third and minimum distance of 1.5 meters must be respected, as well as the use of masks. Funerals are limited to 15 people outside and 10 inside, regardless of whether they live together.

Academies and driving schools. Capacity is limited to 50% while sports activities are limited to 50% inside and 60% outside.

Children’s parks. These parks will be closed in a bid to “preserve” the bubble groups of children at schools, according to the Madrid authorities.

Sports. Capacity at sports venues will be limited to 50%.

English version by Simon Hunter.