Corona and Democracy - Spain

Information on COVID-19 measures and democracy

   14 March:

• During the state of alarm, citizens and vehicles will only be allowed to travel on public roads and streets for essential activities (grocery shopping, go to work, go to the pharmacy of health centres, assist the most vulnerable, return to the usual residence and other necessary movements). Limits to commercial activities and leisure centres (public-facing and retail activities, bars, restaurants, cinemas...); only essential retail activities (pharmacy, businesses selling foodstuffs...) will remain open.

• The government will reserve the right to fine people who do not respect the restrictions, as is allowed under the 1981 law setting out the conditions of the state of alert. Fines can range from €100 to €30,000 for serious violations or up to four months in prison.

   16 March:

• Spain closed the border. Only Spanish citizens and residents will be able to enter the country via land borders, as well as non-Spaniards who cite reasons of force majeure.

   23 March:

• Travel restrictions have been extended to Spain’s airports and seaports for the 30 days.

   26 March:

• State of Alarm has been prolonged until 11 April

   9 April:

• State of Alarm has been prolonged until 26 April

   23 April:

• State of Alarm has been prolonged until 9 May

   27 April:

• The government began to lift some restrictions

   15 May:

• International travel is banned until 15 June.

   25 May:

• From 1 July the 14-days of mandatory quarantine for those who enter the country would be lifted.

   27 May:

• Further restrictions have been eased.

12 June:

• The majority of the country will transition to phase 3 of reopening

• https://english.elpais.com/society/2020-03-15/spains-state-of-alarm-the-key-measures-that-are-now-in-place.html
• https://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/europe/tempers-fray-as-coronavirus-lockdown-fatigue-hits-italy-and-spain-1.4216812
• https://english.elpais.com/spanish_news/2020-03-23/spanish-airports-and-ports-also-closed-in-bid-to-slow-spread-of-coronavirus.html
• https://english.elpais.com/society/2020-03-16/spain-closes-its-borders-to-contain-coronavirus.html
• https://english.elpais.com/politics/2020-03-26/spanish-pm-secures-congressional-support-to-extend-state-of-alarm.html
• https://english.elpais.com/politics/2020-04-10/congress-backs-pms-request-to-extend-confinement-measures-in-spain-until-april-26-with-a-further-15-days-likely.html
• https://english.elpais.com/politics/2020-04-23/spanish-pm-secures-support-to-extend-state-of-alarm-after-fierce-opposition-criticism-in-congress.html
• https://english.elpais.com/society/2020-04-27/scaling-back-confinement-in-spain-more-critical-care-beds-and-improved-testing.html
• https://english.elpais.com/society/2020-05-15/spain-to-extend-restrictions-on-international-travelers-until-june-15.html
• https://english.elpais.com/economy_and_business/2020-05-25/spain-will-lift-two-week-quarantine-on-overseas-arrivals-from-july-1.html
• https://english.elpais.com/society/2020-05-27/spain-lifts-lockdown-rules-on-exercise-and-walks-in-phase-2-areas.html
• https://www.mscbs.gob.es/en/gabinete/notasPrensa.do?metodo=detalle&id=4963

• The regional elections due to be held in Spain's Basque Country and in Galicia on April 5 have been postponed due to the coronavirus crisis. There are no alternative dates yet.

• https://www.politico.eu/article/basque-country-elections-postponed-coronavirus-lockdown/

   11 March:

• The workers of the Royal Spanish Academy (RAE) are allowed to perform their tasks from home and they suspend plenary sessions and commissions until further notice, for at least 15 days. The Constitutional court has also decided to suspend the plenary session for two days.

   12 March:

• The Spanish Cortes Generales (legislative institution) suspended their activity for 15 days

   13 March:

• The court sessions have been suspended, only the urgent proceedings and the court on duty are allowed.

• https://www.elimparcial.es/noticia/210857/cultura/el-coronavirus-obliga-a-la-rae-y-al-tribunal-constitucional-a-suspender-sus-plenos.html
• https://www.europapress.es/nacional/noticia-congreso-suspende-15-dias-actividad-coronavirus-20200312132455.html
• https://www.abc.es/espana/abci-audiencia-nacional-suspende-diligencias-instruccion-durante-quince-dias-202003131253_noticia.html?ref=https%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2F

   6 April:

• The Economy Ministery approved the initiative to authorize the development of a cellphone application that would give health authorities geolocation information about citizens. This will allow authorities to check whether individuals are following the rules of the coronavirus lockdown, and it will offer users health recommendations and action guidelines.

   14 March:

• The Government declared the State of Alarm in all national territory for 15 days due to the health crisis. Under the state of alarm, the central government in Madrid has all powers: all security forces are under the orders of Interior Minister.
• The state of alarm has put transparency legislation on hold. Data on public office transparency are not available to citizens.

• After sixth extensions of the state of alarm, the government announced that some states might lift the state of alarm before others

• https://english.elpais.com/society/2020-03-15/spains-state-of-alarm-the-key-measures-that-are-now-in-place.html
• https://english.elpais.com/spanish_news/2020-04-17/citing-coronavirus-crisis-spain-retreats-on-transparency.html
• https://english.elpais.com/politics/2020-05-24/spanish-pm-considering-lifting-state-of-alarm-in-some-regions-before-in-others.ht

9 June:

• Spain regulates "new normal"

• https://www.lamoncloa.gob.es/lang/en/gobierno/councilministers/Paginas/2020/20200609council.aspx