There are at least two things to clarify concerning Stage One and the recent changes to what is permitted.

Firstly, although Stage Zero (today) is a point where every province in mainland Spain start from automatically, Stage One and every other stage after that can only be reached when qualifying for it – it’s not automatic.

This is important for eating establishments in the province of Granada because this province is the hardest hit within Andalucía. Almería, Jaen etc, might well reach the 11th with flying colours whilst Granada is still lagging behind.

So the 11th and what it brings is not set in stone. The Government has already changed restaurant-terrace occupation once from 30% to 50%  and there is no guarantee that it won’t change again between here and the 11th, especially seeing how people are abusing the easing of the Lock Down when it comes to going for walks and keeping social distancing etc.

Secondly, regarding the 50% for terraces inside and outside the premises. Some establishments have terraces on public domain for which they pay a yearly licence, other have terraces that are inside the premises but are still ‘open air’. Therein lies the catch. When the Boletín Official del Estado says inside the premises you can have 50%, it means open-air terraces inside. An example would be, for instance, La Ventura (Almuñécar) that has an inside, open-air terrace.

One final point, and a tremendously important one: if the extension of the State of Alarm is not approved tomorrow in Parliament – something that is looking increasingly more likely, then, the whole restrictions mechanism and its gradual easing will come to a halt, or better said, disappear.

The State of Alarm effectively suspends certain rights within the Spanish Constitution, such as the freedom of movement, etc. It was brought into effect through a Royal Decree which has to be extended every 15 days and for the Government to do that, it has to have backing from the other parties, especially the chief opposition party, the PP, which is saying that they won’t back the extension tomorrow.

Therefore, if the extension does not receive sufficient votes tomorrow, the State of Alarm ends and all restrictions (which will be anti-constitutional from that point on) will cease. In other words, everybody goes back to where they were before the State of Alarm was declared. The Government can’t stop  you leaving your home when  you want, from opening up your restaurant, shop or any business 100%. That might sound great, but it would mean that there will be no control over the spread of Covid-19.

If you are running a business – any kind – then consult your gestoría if in any doubt.

(News: Spain)