The Government has already prepared the document that it will share this Wednesday at the Interterritorial Council of the National Health System with the autonomous communities to establish a common plan for this Christmas. The plan is to limit meetings to a maximum of six people, to encourage outdoor activities and to delay the start of the curfew at 1:00 on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. The text underlines the importance of complying with prevention measures, the so-called 6M, and establishes that “those trips that are not strictly necessary” are avoided.
The Minister of Health, Salvador Illa, in any case, has assured in the press conference after the Council of Ministers that there is still no definitive measure and that the objective is to reach a consensual agreement in the Interterritorial Health Council. This is the detail of the main restrictions that are contemplated:
Maximum of 6 people in social gatherings
THE 6M
Prevention measures (6M) should be maintained in all contexts: Mask (use of mask as long as possible), Hands (frequent hand washing), Meters (maintenance of physical distance), Maximize ventilation and outdoor activities (keep windows and doors open to the extent that it is safe and feasible depending on the temperature), Minimize number of contacts (preferably always the same) and “I stay home without symptoms, diagnosis or contact.”
The text recommends that in family meetings, participation be limited to “members who belong to the same cohabitation group”: “In the event that there is an external member who is not a regular cohabitant, the meetings will be of up to a maximum of 6 people and prevention measures must be guaranteed (6M), regardless of whether they are family members or not. “
It is also recommended to avoid or minimize meetings in the social sphere (work celebrations, former students, sports clubs, etc.). In the event of being held, there will be a maximum of 6 people and preferably outside (outdoors or on terraces with a maximum of 2 walls). Compliance with prevention measures (6M) must also be guaranteed.
Curfew
During the Christmas celebrations, “the night confinement will be maintained, and it will not be possible to go out on the streets at the times established in each autonomous community after the declaration of the state of alarm.” On December 24 and 31, Christmas Eve and New Years Eve, “the schedule will be extended, limiting mobility from 1:00 am to 6:00 am”.
National and international mobility
The plan establishes that, as a general rule, “those trips that are not strictly necessary. The regulations applicable at that time in the destination territory must be reviewed in advance. In the event that exceptionally a trip is to be made in the national territory, both intercommunity and intracommunity, this must be done safely: complying with the recommendations indicated in each means of transport, using a mask, frequent hand washing and maintaining physical distance “.
Back home from the university students
College students returning home for vacation are advised to limit social interactions the days before upon their return home and that preventive measures are taken to the extreme.
Once home, they should try to limit contact, interact mostly outdoors rather than indoors, and wear masks.
Measures on public roads
In coordination with local entities, greater use of public outdoor space will be favored so that there is more spaces available for citizens as well as for the realization of cultural events, hospitality and commerce. In this context, it is recalled that the consumption of alcohol is not authorized on public roads, nor the consumption of tobacco and assimilates when a minimum interpersonal distance of at least 2 meters cannot be respected.
Measures in relation to Christmas events
Events such as the Three Kings parade and other types of events that take place during the Christmas holidays involve situations of high risk of transmission due to the high number of attendees, the intensity of contact and difficulty in mitigating the associated risks. Therefore, not holding this type of event is recommended. In any case, mass events must be evaluated individually by public health authorities following the Recommendations for mass events and activities in the context of the new normality due to COVID-19 in Spain.
It is recommended that if horseback riding is carried out, alternatives are considered that guarantee compliance with hygiene and prevention regulations. An example would be static horseback riding with locations in places where access to or broadcasts of Christmas events on television can be controlled.
Other types of events held in specific squares or places such as visits to portals facilities in Bethlehem or Christmas concerts, where access and interpersonal distance can be controlled during the event, may be maintained respecting a capacity of 50%.
Sports events
Holding major sporting events such as the San Silvestre marathon can be carried out provided that it does not interfere with the time limitation of night mobility and using strategies to reduce contact between the runners (limitation of capacity, staggered exits, spreading participation over several days, ..) and it is recommended that it be carried out without attendance of the public, and that its broadcasting on television is promoted.
Cultural events
The traditional Christmas activities that are held in cinemas, theaters, auditoriums, circus tents or similar will be carried out respecting the current capacity in the autonomous community, provided that a distance seat can be maintained in the same row in case of fixed seats or 1 , 5 meters apart if there are no fixed seats, between the different coexistence groups.
When possible, the activities and typical exhibitions of these parties will be held outdoors and always ensuring that the safety distance is met to minimize contact between attendees. Cultural activities comply with security measures and are a safe leisure alternative also at Christmas.
Religious celebrations
Religious ceremonies in closed spaces will follow the capacity standards established at that time in each autonomous community, provided that the safety distance can be maintained. During the celebration of the religious act it is recommended not to sing and to use prerecorded music. The celebration of religious events such as the mass of the rooster can be carried out as long as it does not interfere with the time limitation of night mobility. Telematic or television services may be offered as an alternative.
Catering and hospitality
Inside the establishments, the capacity standards established at that time in each autonomous community will be followed. A maximum of 6 people per table will be allowed with a minimum distance of 1.5 meters between the diners at a table and between different tables. Adequate natural or mechanical ventilation must be guaranteed.
In the outdoor areas of catering and hospitality establishments, the capacity standards established at that time in each autonomous community will be followed. A minimum distance of 1.5 meters will be maintained between diners at a table and between different tables and up to a maximum of 6 people per table. The message to use the mask when not eating or drinking and to avoid snacking will be reinforced. Avoid the consumption of tobacco and related products in spaces for social and community use, including terraces.
Small business or large streets or shopping centers
The text indicates that work should be done in coordination with local entities and promote shopping in small businesses, of neighborhood, since it favors the reduction of the agglomerations, the accomplishment of purchases staggered in time and the mobility is minimized.
The population must organize their purchases in advance to avoid large crowds in streets and shopping centers.
Small businesses will follow the capacity standards established at that time in each autonomous community, guaranteeing that the safety distance is maintained. If this is not possible, access to the premises will be allowed only to one client.
Large shopping centers and large shopping streets will follow the capacity standards established at that time in each autonomous community and must have an access control.
They can be organized Christmas markets maintaining the capacity established at that time in each autonomous community and provided that they are outdoors and the safety distance can be maintained.
Socio-sanitary centers
During the Christmas season the number of visits to the centers may be expanded guaranteeing that the hygiene and prevention measures and the safety distance are complied with. Upon re-entry of a resident in a socio-sanitary center, a diagnostic test for active infection will be carried out and the days after re-entry, surveillance and prevention measures will be carried out.
Transport
During the Christmas period, the competent administrations will ensure the increased frequency of schedules of public transport to the maximum to avoid crowds and make it possible to comply with the capacity, guaranteeing adequate ventilation and that the population complies with prevention measures that include not talking or eating and using the mask correctly.
Whenever possible, trips will be made in safe and open-air transport, prioritizing walking or cycling. A distribution of public space that promotes activities carried out on foot or by bike in the vicinity of the home will be favored, through the pedestrianization of spaces, the creation of cycle lanes or the maintenance of open parks.
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