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This summer is complicated due to the presence of the Covid-19 virus and our governments are reacting as they see fit given the complicated situation in which we all find ourselves.

 

Spain has endured 10 weeks of hard lockdown and had largely overcome the Covid virus, but since permitting free movement and removing the majority of the restrictions, the number of cases has started to rise significantly.

 

The biggest problem is young people gathering in groups, catching the virus but not experiencing significant symptoms, but then transmitting it onto their family members, work colleagues, close contacts etc, for which reason the wearing of a mask is obligatory.

 

Virtually every region of Spain is now enforcing the wearing of masks, as is France.

 

In Murcia, the outbreaks are mainly stemming from nocturnal leisure venues, so new measures were published on Tuesday in the regional BORM limiting the opening hours of these establishments and closing those that do not have outdoor space in which social distancing can be observed.

 

The size of groups which can sit together has also been limited to 15 people. Navarra has also applied similar legislation this afternoon.

Click for the link through to the original text in Spanish. Below is the original text. There is also an explanation of what it says below, not an EXACT word for word translation, as sometimes that’s as incomprehensible as the Spanish original.

 

1. The activity of discotheques in indoor premises is suspended, and nocturnal leisure venues can only carry out their activity on terraces or open spaces in the open air, regardless of the time when said activity takes place. ( This basically means that any INDOOR leisure venues must close completely if they do not have terrace areas or garden areas. In response some nightclubs and discos have announced their complete closure for the moment as they have no external space).

 

 

2 Leisure establishments; pubs, cocktail bars and nocturnal leisure bars ((pubs, bares de copas o de ocio nocturno) etc may carry out their activity inside the premises or closed spaces, until a maximum of 22:00. After this time, the activity must only be carried out on terraces or open spaces outdoors. ( This measure will apply to all such establishments, and means that last orders for indoor seating will be 21:30 and after 22:00 anyone remaining on the premises will have to move to an outdoor seating area. Clients will only be allowed back in the premises to use the washrooms.Premises which do NOT have outdoor seating or terraces must close at 22:00).

(if in doubt about the classification of your premises, speak to your asesor for clarification)

 

3 In the cases provided for in the two previous sections, as established in sub-section 9 of Section II of the annex to the Agreement of the Governing Council of June 19, 2020, bar consumption and the use of the dance floor for this use. 3. The performance of karaokes or sporadic or amateur singing or dancing performances in the establishments referred to in this article is prohibited. (No karaoke, no dancing on the dance floors and no amateur performers dancing or singing).

 

 

4 The activities carried out by the hotel and restaurant establishments, as well as pubs, nightlife venues and discotheques, referred to in subsections 8 and 9 of Section II of the annex to the Agreement of the Government Council of June 19, 2020 , will be developed with attendees seated at tables or a group of tables, with 15 being the maximum number of people who can participate in each of these. (maximum group size of 15 people. The bar will be allowed to have more than one group of 15 people in it, but no more than 15 sitting together.)

 

 

5 The maximum night-time closing of all the establishments referred to in the previous section is set at 02:00 hours, and new clients cannot be admitted after 01:30. ( All bars and nocturnal leisure establishments must close by 02:00 with last entry at 01:30).

 

This is in addition to the rules already pre-established which limit the capacity of outdoor terraces to 75% and make the wearing of masks obligatory at all times.

 

 

3.1. Queda suspendida la actividad de las discotecas en el interior de los locales, pudiendo estos desarrollar únicamente su actividad en terrazas o espacios abiertos al aire libre, con independencia del horario en que se desarrolle dicha actividad. 3.2 Los establecimientos de pubs, bares de copas o de ocio nocturno podrán desarrollar su actividad en el interior de los locales o espacios cerrados, como máximo, hasta las 22:00 horas. Con posterioridad a dicho horario, la actividad también se deberá realizar en terrazas o espacios abiertos al aire libre. 3.3 En los supuestos previstos en los dos apartados anteriores, tal y como está establecido en el subapartado 9 del Apartado II del anexo del Acuerdo de Consejo de Gobierno de 19 de junio de 2020, no se permitirá el consumo en barra ni la utilización de la pista de baile para este uso. 3.4 Se prohíbe la realización de karaokes o de actuaciones esporádicas o amateur de canto o baile en los establecimientos a que se refiere este artículo. 3.5 Las actividades que desarrollen los establecimientos de hostelería y restauración, así como de pubs, locales de ocio nocturno y discotecas, a que se refieren los subapartados 8 y 9 del Apartado II del anexo del Acuerdo de Consejo de Gobierno de 19 de junio de 2020, serán desarrolladas con los asistentes sentados en mesas o agrupación de mesas, siendo 15 el número máximo de personas que pueden participar en cada una de estas. 3.6 La hora máxima de cierre nocturno de todos los establecimientos a que se refiere el apartado anterior queda fijada en las 02.00 horas, no pudiendo admitirse nuevos clientes a partir de las 01.30, rigiendo la que tuvieren autorizada por los órganos competentes si fuera anterior, sin perjuicio de la aplicación del horario que tuvieren previamente autorizado por los órganos competentes si este decretase un cierre anterior

 

 

There is still a ridiculous amount of argument on social media about the wearing of masks, particularly in relation to bars and restaurants.

 

The text in the BORM specifically uses the words “when eating and drinking” in relation to exceptions.

 

The regional president explained in his press statement that this meant that if someone was sitting at a table having a drink, that they would have to remove their mask to consume their drink and then put it back on afterwards and that REMAINS the interpretation being used by the police who have been entering bars and telling clients to put their masks on when not actively consuming food or drink.

 

It means that if someone is in a bar, seated at a table, they MUST wear a mask other than when raising a cup to take a sip of coffee or to eat.Masks must be worn when going to the toilet, walking around, entering or leaving the bar etc.

 

Exclusion: When bathing or swimming, or in the immediate area around a pool or on a beach.

When exercising; driving a golf buggy is not considered to be exercising, neither is walking the dog. The exercising exclusion is simply for those who are exercising hard and may experience difficulties in breathing.

 

Children under 6 do not have to wear a mask.

 

Those with medical conditions that make breathing difficult when wearing a mask do not have to wear a mask, but you must have proof of this.

 

Click here to see the original text in the BORM 13th July

 

If in doubt; wear a mask is the simplest answer. The fine for not wearing a mask is 100 euros.