Travelling is an option and a pleasure for many citizens who have seen how the state of alarm and the perimeter closure in the autonomous communities has prevented them from moving freely around Spain. The summer holidays are getting closer and closer and flight and hotel bookings are starting to be made.
But this situation is about to change, the end of the state of alarm announced by Sánchez on 9 May gives a respite to all those who plan to travel to another autonomous community other than their own that was previously confined. If the epidemiological situation improves in general terms in Spain, everything seems to indicate that it will be possible to travel around Spain after the lifting of the state of alarm and with it the perimeter closure and the curfew.
End of curfew and perimeter closure
The lifting of the state of alarm would also mean the lifting of the night-time mobility restriction, i.e. the curfew, which currently covers the period from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. the following day. Although the autonomous communities have the option of modifying it and establishing the timetable that suits them.
Travelling after the end of the state of emergency
As of 9 May, some specific anti-vigilance measures will be lifted and a new scenario will open up for mobility between autonomous regions, as four restrictions will be lifted:
- Curfew
- Perimeter closure
- Meetings
- Capacity in places of worship
The end of the perimeter closure means that people will be able to enter and leave the cities without any restrictions. Once there is no longer a state of alarm, the Interterritorial Council of the National Health System will be responsible for taking decisions on the management of the coronavirus pandemic.Â
According to the Vice-President of the Government, Carmen Calvo, the Interterritorial Health Council, which brings together the Government and the autonomous regions, will be able to agree on the perimeter closure of certain territories if contagions soar, something that the Moncloa believes will not happen, due to the acceleration in vaccination.
“Except for immobilising citizens in their homes”, said the First Vice-President on Canal Sur, “almost everything” can be done through ordinary legislation. On the one hand, the communities themselves can close restaurants and shops, as, for example, Cataluña did last autumn. On the other hand, the Interterritorial Council, through “coordinated action”, has the margin to approve the closure of some territories when they are “in a situation of particular incidence”, as is happening “right now in the Basque Country, Navarre and Madrid”.
With regard to travel in Spain between different autonomous communities, there could be perimeter closures of certain health areas, neighbourhoods or specific cities, but not of an entire autonomous community. Each autonomous region could also modify commercial and hotel and catering opening hours.Â