The Junta de Andalucia has already published in the Official Gazette the new measures and restrictions that will have to be observed in the upcoming Christmas holidays, and more specifically in the period between December 12 and January 10.
Juanma Moreno , president of the Andalusian Government, appeared before the media to announce a phased de-escalation that was approved at the meeting held by the authorities and the committee of health experts.
Moreno already warned that he would try by all means to “relieve” the economy of the hoteliers , some hoteliers who, after knowing the measures designed for them, asked for the resignation of the Andalusian president, after what they consider new regulations that do not help a sector that is suffering more than any other from the consequences of this pandemic.
For its part, society is divided; some think that these decisions are fundamental to avoid a third wave . Others see control as excessive and more so seeing how other areas of Spain with the same or similar rate of infections are not as limited as Andalusia.
Measurements of the first phase of Christmas in Andalusia
Juanma Moreno knows perfectly well that it is impossible to please everyone . Moreover, the Chairman of the Board already commented this week that it has been difficult for him to fall asleep but everything has a reason; “It is time for prudence and common sense”. For this reason, a phased de-escalation has been determined. From Saturday, December 12 , these new measures come into force, which will be extended until Thursday, December 17 in a first phase and which are as follows:
Mobility of people
In this first phase, Andalusians will be able to have a little more freedoms since movement between municipalities of the same province is allowed. After more than a month without being able to leave their usual places of residence, except for just cause, the inhabitants will be able to move freely and without restrictions between the localities that make up their provinces.
New business hours
Shops may open until 9:00 p.m.. In other words, their opening hours are extended by three hours compared to the previous situation. Stores and supermarkets are thus increased the possibility of receiving customers and trying to save the Christmas bell.
The extension of business hours is the only novelty for this sector. The previous capacity restrictions and hygiene regulations decreed by the Junta de Andalucia on previous dates are still in force.
For the hotel industry there are no changes in its measures in this first phase. The Government of Andalusia has decreed that they continue as before, with the closure of bars and restaurants at 6:00 p.m. and until 9:30 p.m. to attend to food orders at home, but not for the public.
Curfew in force in Andalusia
The curfew in Andalusia remains as it has been until now, for the maximum period allowed by the state of alarm decreed in Spain. The Junta de Andalucia has decided to keep the so-called curfew in force, whereby citizens must be at home between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., except for those exceptions established in the previous decree.
Measures in the second phase of Christmas in Andalusia
If in this first week of application of the new measures the data related to infections continue to drop, on Friday, December 18, the second phase of this de-escalation will come into force in which yes the needs of hoteliers will be more present, it will be possible to travel between provincesand the hotel industry, although dissatisfied, will have a small dinner schedule .
The second phase of Andalucia’s measures against the coronavirus at Christmas runs from Friday, December 18 and will last until Sunday, January 10, 2021 .
Mobility in the second phase
In this second phase , mobility is allowed between the Andalusian provinces . We will be able to travel to any place within the Andalusian geography without any type of movement restriction, but the community is still closed to visitors . This second period is where the bulk of the Christmas festivities are concentrated, for which some exceptional measures are established.
From December 23, 2020 to January 6, 2021, both inclusive, the entry and exit of people from Andalusia will be allowed to travel to those places of habitual residence of relatives or close friends , solely motivated to make the family reunification.
These meetings may be a maximum of 10 people on December 24, 25 and 31 and January 1 and two coexistence groups may meet. The rest of the days the limitation of people in the meetings will be six.
Business hours in the second phase
The hours of all activities, services or establishments from December 18 to January 10 may remain openuntil half an hour before the beginning of the curfew , which on those days corresponds to 10:30 p.m. since the limitation of night mobility will begin an hour later.
In the case of restaurant and hotel establishments, they may remain open until 6:00 p.m., and may reopen from 8:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. The Board has also included another exception for the hours of bars and restaurants on the night of December 24 to 25 and the night of December 31 to January 1 and that is that the opening of said establishments will be allowed up to half an hour before of the beginning of the current curfew in this phase (22:30).
Modified curfew from December 18 to January 10
From December 18 to January 10, 2021, the circulation of people at night in Andalusia is limited, known as curfew, in the time slot that runs from 11:00 p.m. to 06:00 a.m. 00 .
