Spain begins reopening restaurants, cafes and beaches as lockdown loosens

The country is gradually making its way out of lockdown
AFP via Getty Images
Ewan Somerville25 May 2020

Coronavirus lockdown rules are being eased in Spain after two months of restrictions.

Beaches, cafes and restaurants are reopening to visitors from Monday.

The country was among the worst hit in Europe with its death toll climbing to over 28,000.

It began easing lockdown earlier this month with a staggered approach that excluded Madrid, the capital, and Barcelona, which were ravaged by the outbreak.

Spain is reopening cafes and restaurants after two months of lockdown
AFP via Getty Images

But residents in Madrid and Barcelona will now get to meet in groups of up to ten people in their homes or on terraces of bars and restaurants, and the cities’ parks and major museums will also reopen in the first stage of easing curbs.

The 22 million residents elsewhere in Spain are now moving onto the second stage, with restaurants reopening to limited numbers, beaches open and limits dropped on daily exercise.

But masks are compulsory both indoors and outdoors if social distancing cannot be observed.

Spain was one of the worst hit countries but is starting to reopen again
AFP via Getty Images

An "army" of 3,000 beach assistants, picked from those currently unemployed, will make sure tourists obey social distancing rules on Spain's busiest beaches this summer.

The hired helpers will also be tasked with avoid overcrowding as hordes of holidaymakers flock to the seaside after the stresses of the last few months.

All foreign arrivals will have to quarantine for 14 days but the Government says Spain will be open for holidays from July.

Spaniards are being set free on beaches as the country prepares to welcome foreign tourists in July
AFP via Getty Images

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said: “We are sending everyone a message today: Spain will be waiting for you from July.”

He added: “Foreign tourists can also start planning their holidays in our country. Spain needs tourism and tourism needs safety in both origin and destination. We will guarantee that tourists will not run any risks, nor will they bring any risks to our country.”

Many residents have become impatient over the government's slow and cautious process of lifting the restrictions.

Thousands of people protested on Saturday in major Spanish cities at the call of the far-right Vox party, denouncing the handling of the crisis by Mr Sanchez’s left-wing administration.

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