Runners no longer have to feel like hamsters. Starting this Saturday May 2nd, a little more of the Spanish state's lockdown is lifted. Following the permission for children to play outside, brought in last Sunday, adults will now be able to head to the street for reasons other than shopping, going to work or walking the dog: exercise can now be practiced individually, and as well, people who live in the same house can go for walks in pairs. Everything, ordered by hourly time slots and under strict rules set out by the Spanish government and announced by health minister Salvador Illa.
With the exception of those walks - which people can undertake in pairs - all recreational activity by adults must be carried out alone, involving no contact with others, and permitted only once a day, but in either of two time zones: from 6am to 10am in the morning, or from 8-11pm at night. As well as the time restrictions, you are also limited to the area of your municipality, and can't use motorized transport or public transport to get to the place where you want to carry out your exercise activity. On the other hand, any type of sport which can be practiced alone is allowable. That is, not just running, but also riding a bike, skateboarding or surfing, for example.
In the case of walks, then, people may now take a stroll accompanied by another person - as long as both of you live at the same address. The time slot is the same as for the other exercise activities, but in this case, you are only allowed to venture a maximum of one kilometre from your home.
Keeping the old and the young isolated
For the rest of the day, the central time slots have been reserved for those under 14 and those over 70, who will not coincide with each other either. Children will be able to play outdoors between 12 noon and 7 pm, for a maximum of an hour a day; seniors (over 70s) and dependent persons, who may be accompanied by a carer, can be outside from 10am to 12 noon as well as from 7-8pm in the evening. Therefore, the pattern will be, from morning to evening: sport and walks, over 70s, children, over 70s, and finally sport and walks again.
The intention is not to risk mixing groups as well as to avoid congestion. The timetable will not apply in municipalities with population under 5,000, where anyone can undertake the activities permitted, once a day at any time between 6am and 11pm.
The Spanish ministry's order, with the finer details of the conditions for adults to go outside will be published tomorrow Friday and will take effect at midnight that night, thus Saturday May 2nd will be the first day.
- 6-10 am: individual physical activity within the municipality and walks in pairs within one kilometre of home - for those 14 and over.
- 10am - 12 noon: time reserved for those over 70 and dependent persons with a carer
- 12 noon - 7pm: outside play and activities for children under 14, accompanied by an adult and up to one hour a day
- 7-8pm: time reserved for those over 70 and dependent persons with a carer
- 8-11pm: individual physical activity within the municipality and walks in pairs within one kilometre of home - for those 14 and over.
You must avoid busy places
Anyone who has symptoms that could fit the coronavirus infection is excluded from these new permissions. Interpersonal distances of at least 2 metres are to be maintained. In general, you should carry out the activity "continuously" and avoid stopping unnecessarily in public places. And although it's common sense, it's also in the rules that busy places must be avoided and you must avoid entering areas which may be crowded.
A final note on the opening of beaches: this depends on each municipality and in the case of Barcelona city, the beaches are closed. Barcelona city has, however, opened many parks and pedestrianized some streets to give more space for citizens to take their walks and exercise in safety.
Below, the full regulation in Spanish: