De-escalation of the alarm state, here is how each phase will take place
Patrick Gordinne Perez2025-01-19T20:46:33+00:00On 28 April, the government presented the de-escalation plan in response to the crisis caused by the Coronavirus (COVID-19), known as the “Plan for transition to a new normality”, which comprises four phases (Phase 0, Phase 1, Phase 2 and Phase 3), during which the economic sectors will be opened up and the population’s restrictions and social contacts will be relaxed depending on how the pandemic develops in each region. This de-escalation plan will begin on 4 May and, in the best-case scenario, will end on 21 June.
Timetable for the transition to a new normal
The four phases of the government’s de-escalation plan are phase 0, which will run from at least 4 to 10 May; phase 1, which will run from at least 11 to 24 May; phase 2, which will run from at least 25 May to 8 June; and phase 4, which will run from at least 9 to 21 June, with the “new normal” beginning, in the best-case scenario, on 26 June.
Generally speaking, the movement of people between provinces will be prohibited for the duration of the de-escalation plan. Intra-provincial travel will be allowed with restrictions, but inter-provincial travel will not be permitted, except for professional reasons or to attend a wake. The use of masks in the workplace, in public places and on public transport is also strongly recommended.
Phase 0: premises by appointment
In concrete terms, the plan provides for an initial “zero phase”, in which “small openings of economic activity” will be authorised, with the opening of small premises and establishments with prior appointment for individual customer service, such as the opening of restaurants with takeaway service, without consumption on the premises and with “maximum” protection, or the opening of centres for individual training and basic training for professional leagues.
Phase 1: small shops and terraces, with limitations
Phase 1″, which is due to begin across the board on 11 May, will see a partial start to activities, with small street shops opening under “strict” security conditions, but shopping centres or large shopping parks, where crowds are more likely to occur, will not be open.
This phase includes the opening of restaurant terraces with a 30% occupancy limit and an initial phase of opening in hotels and tourist accommodation, including hotels and tourist accommodation, but excluding communal areas and with certain restrictions set by the Department of Health.
Preferential opening hours for the over-65s
In addition, premises will be opened with preferential opening hours for the over-65s, who will constitute a priority group, activity in the agri-food and fishing sectors will be resumed and places of worship will be opened with a capacity of one third.
There are also plans to open centres for high performance teams and medium-level training in professional leagues. In public transport, the use of protective masks will be strongly recommended in all phases.
Phase 2: interior space and a return to leisure and culture
For “phase 2” or the “intermediate” phase, if the criteria are met, the opening of the indoor restaurant space is envisaged, with one third of the capacity and only for table service, the start of the school year in September and the resumption of hunting and sport fishing.
Leisure and culture are also making a comeback, with cinemas, theatres and auditoriums with pre-assigned seats and a capacity limited to one-third, monument visiting activities and exhibition and conference halls with a capacity of one-third, while cultural events and shows can be organised for fewer than 50 people in enclosed venues, also with a capacity limited to one-third.
If the performance is outdoors, it will be permitted if it is attended by fewer than 400 people, provided they are seated. Places of worship will limit the number of seats to 50% during this second phase.
Phase 3: further easing of restrictions
During “phase 3” or the “advanced” phase, the last until the “new normal” is restored, once the required markers have been reached, general mobility will be relaxed, but the recommendation to wear a mask outside the home and on public transport will be maintained.
In shops, capacity will be limited to 50% and a minimum distance of two metres will be imposed. In restaurants, capacity and occupancy limits will be relaxed, but still under “strict conditions of separation”. The opening of beaches is planned for this final phase, Mr Sánchez said.
In any case, he pointed out that “there will be no mobility between provinces or islands until normality is reached” after the coronavirus pandemic, and that it will not be possible to move from one province to another until each of them has passed through the phases.
Can a worker included in a HWRA return to work?
For a worker included in the ERTE to be able to return to work, you must remove him from the ERTE by following the steps below:
1. notify your company’s labour department, before the start of work, of the intention to disaffect him, as we must report his new situation to the SEPE and social security.
2. Give the worker sufficient notice.
3. The consequences of deregistration are as follows:
a) For the worker: he will receive unemployment benefit until the day before he starts work and, from that day onwards, he will receive his salary directly from the company.
b) For the company: it will begin to pay the employee and social security contributions will no longer be exempt.
As a result, both the company and the employee revert to the situation and obligations that existed before the declaration of redundancy was submitted.
It should be borne in mind that once the worker has been dismissed, it is no longer possible to include him again in the ERTE. If the worker is to be included in an ERTE, a new ERTE must be submitted and the consequences and costs analysed.