Date Published: 18/03/2020
ARCHIVED - Further lockdown clarifications: you can take the children shopping and go to the vet
ARCHIVED ARTICLE
Loopholes in the original decree are closed after ambiguities became apparent
As ambiguous aspects of the hurriedly-drawn-up decree of a state of emergency in Spain are cleared up further modifications have been made to the decree, explaining that it is acceptable to take children shopping if absolutely necessary and that visits to the vet are permitted.
Some loopholes were left in the original text which theoretically still allowed people to walk to work in groups or to go to the beach as long as they did not travel by road in order to do so. This has now been amended so that people in the streets are required to walk on their own at all times except when shopping with their children, for example.
The revised text now reads “During the state of emergency people may walk in public only for the following purposes and always alone, unless they are accompanying disabled people, minors, elderly people or in other justifiable circumstances”
There then follows the list published at the weekend:
- To acquire essential food, pharmaceuticals and other necessary goods.
- To visit medical centres and other health facilities.
- To travel to work and business or professional obligations.
- To return home from the obligations mentioned above.
- To visit and look after the elderly, young people, dependents and people who are especially vulnerable.
- To visit banks, other financial institutions and insurance offices.
- For reasons of force majeure or emergencies.
- For any other reason of a similar nature.
This amendment clarifies the situation for adults who are looking after young children on their own, among others, although the recommendation remains that as few people as possible should go out and on as few occasions as possible.
The legislation has also been tightened up to make it clear that the countryside and parks are out of bounds in the same way as the streets, removing another loophole exploited by some who are determined to disregard the lockdown in any way possible.
In addition, it is now explicitly stated that vets are allowed to remain open, while hairdressers, who were originally included for reasons which few understood, have been removed from the list unless they offer their services at customers’ homes.
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What to do if you are in the Region of Murcia and believe you may have contracted the virus
The regional government has set up a special helpline to supply information to members of the public (900 121212), and also urges people to call the 112 emergency services line if they suspect that they may have contracted the virus rather than going straight to hospital or to a medical centre. Medical staff will be sent to your home to test for the virus.
The Region’s public hospitals have limited the number of visitors to just one per patient.
Sensible precautions
The advice being issued to members of the public by medical authorities all over the world coincides on the following points:
- Wash hands frequently with either soap and water or a sanitiser gel
- Catch coughs and sneezes with disposable tissues – and throw the tissues away immediately after use before immediately washing your hands!
- If you don’t have a tissue, use your sleeve – and wash the item of clothing used at the next opportunity
- AVOID touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
- AVOID close contact with people who are unwell
- Don´t panic!
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