Cronologia de la Quarantena
Spain's Quarantine Timeline
Mar 12 Most of Spain's autonomous communities (including Catalonia) announced the closures of all schools (nursery school through university). At first, Catalonia's closure was to be effective Mon Mar 16. A few hours later it was amended to take effect the next day.
Mar 13 First day, all schools closed.
Mar 14 State of Alarm begins.
The decree gives the Spanish state the authority to take over private hospitals. Only the following stores were allowed to open: food stores, pharmacies, stationery, tobacconists (for stamps, newspapers, phone recharges), rotisserie, vet/pet stores. Workers could leave home to work if they could not telecommute. 2 bright spots in our neighborhood: we have a small (to-go only) chicken rotisserie which has remained open. Our hardware store sells shampoos and detergent in bulk and is therefore permitted to stay open. It's interesting to me that stationary but not hardware stores are allowed to be open. Many small shops have posted phone numbers in case of 'urgencias.'
Mar 30 Hibernation begins. Only essential workers may leave home to work. Non-essential employees receive paid leave.
Apr 14 Hibernation ends. Non-essential workers allowed to work (return to Mar 14 rules).
Apr 25 Children 0-13 allowed out to exercise (within 1km of home, for up to 1 hr).
May 2 Exercise allowed outside:
- 6-10a exercise solo or walk with one family member (1km radius of home).
- 10-12 hours reserved for seniors.
- 12-7 outside time with kids 0-13.
- 8-11p exercise solo or walk with one family member (1km radius of home).
May 4 Phase 0 begins
- Small stores (up to 400m2) allowed to open, with service by appointment only.
- Restaurants allowed to sell food for take-out.
It has been interesting to watch the contrast between Spain and the US.
The State of Alarm has been extended in 2-week increments. All extensions after the first 2 week phase have been enacted with the approval of the legislature. While there has been tremendous debate (particularly in independence-minded Catalonia) about the logistics of managing the relief effort and the semantics of quarantine, I haven't seen any sign of debate about the need for confinement.
Changes or extensions to the shelter-in-place orders have been announced 5-7 days in advance typically, and often been discussed and tweaked before going into effect. This happened with the May 2 directive to allow children outside to exercise, for instance – there was much debate about how kids 14-18 figured into the plan. (The answer: they don't. However, starting May 2 they can leave the house to exercise.)
We are presently in 'phase 0' of the de-escalation. The state outlined 4 phases of de-escalation and then identified criteria that would allow autonomous communities to move from one phase to the next. A few Spanish islands, with very low or non-existent case counts, were allowed to begin in phase 1.
Ed noticed this drawing in the window of Tomy Tapas, one of the many restaurants in our neighborhood that have been closed for weeks. One day I noticed one of their kids - maybe the one who drew this - riding skates or a scooter inside the restaurant, watching the big TV. At least they could use the space while they were closed.
