IN DETAIL – Resolution to extend measures in fight against COVID-19
A translation into English of the main points of interest of the resolution issued by the Generalitat Valenciana on Friday.
Saturday 30th January 2021 | MIKE SMITH
Another week. Another resolution. Yesterday, the Generalitat Valenciana announced extensions of existing measures and further restrictions to try and halt the spread of COVID-19 in the region. We have translated the main points of this important six-page document, which has been published on the DOGV this morning, which details the extension of the restrictions brought in on January 19th (the closure of bars and restaurants being one of them) to February 15th, and the new measures regarding the wearing of face masks, particularly on beaches and for physical activity in populated areas.
The resolution in Spanish or Valenciano is available by clicking on the link below:
RESOLUTION of January 29, 2021, of the Ministry for Universal Health and Public Health, which extends various resolutions of the Ministry for Universal Health and Public Health, as a consequence of the health crisis situation caused by COVID-19, and modifies and adds other exceptional measures.
The opening three and a bit pages detail the reasons for the restrictions, their development over the past ten months, the legal basis for imposing them, and the methods in which they have been imposed. But we’ll get on to the main points which are of most interest. Links to references to previous accords, decrees and resolutions can be found at the end of the translation.
First Article
Modification of section 1.3. of Annex I of the Presidential Accord of June 19 2020 of the regional government, in its wording given by the Resolution of July 17, 2020, of the Minister of Universal Health and Public Health, of modification and adoption of additional and complementary measures of the Agreement of 19 June, of the regional government, on prevention measures against COVID-19 (DOGV 07/18/2020).
Section 1.3 of Annex I of the Accord of June 19th 2020 is amended as follows:
1.3 Use of Masks
1.3.1 – Everyone six years of age and above are obliged to wear a face mask at all times on public roads, in outdoor spaces, and in closed spaces for public use or open to the public.
1.3.2 – The use of a face mask is also mandatory during physical activity or sport within populated areas and in outdoor spaces, from 10.00am until 7.00pm.
1.3.3 – The use of a face mask will not be mandatory in the following cases:
a) during physical activity or any other activity outside of populated areas where its use is incompatible with that activity.
b) during children’s and young people’s activities whilst remaining in the stable coexistence group (the bubble).
1.3.4 – Those people who have some type of illness or respiratory difficulty that may be aggravated by the use of a face mask, or those that due to their disability or dependency don’t have the autonomy to remove the mask, or those who behavioural issues that make its use unfeasible, are exempt from wearing a face mask, in addition to cases of force majeure or situation of need.
1.3.5 – For the purposes of this accord, the obligation of use refers to masks, preferably hygienic and surgical, as well as their proper use, that is, that they have to cover from the part of the nasal septum to the chin entirely (ED: the nose, mouth and chin). The use of a mask with an exhalation valve is not permitted, except in the professional field in cases where this type of mask may be recommended.
Second Article
Extension of the Resolution of December 5, 2020, of the Minister of Universal Health and Public Health and addition of a section 3 to point 24 of the first article of said Resolution (DOGV 12/05/2020).
1 – The Resolution of December 5th 2020 (which detailed the new additional measures agreed in the Comunidad Valenciana as a result of the health crisis caused by COVID-19) is extended to 23:59 Monday 15th February.
2 – A new sub-paragraph – 24.3 – is added to paragraph 24 of the first resolution of the Resolution of December 5th 2020 which is worded as follows:
24. Measures related to swimming pools and beaches
24.3 – Access to the beaches is permitted to walk and for physical activity and sports in the open air, maintaining social distancing and hygiene and prevention measures, always within the limitations of freedom of movement and the maximum number of people who can gather as a group, which is established in the Decree of the President of the Generalitat. The use of a face mask on beaches is mandatory at all times for all people aged six years and above.
3 – The measures contained in the resolution of December 5th 2020 which has been extended, which have not been left without effect by subsequent resolutions, will be understood as valid according to the wording given by subsequent modifications contained in the following resolutions: Resolution December 30th 2020; Resolution January 5th 2021; Resolution January 8th 2021; and Resolution January 19th 2021; and this Resolution being signed.
Third Article
Extension of the Resolution of January 19th 2021, of the Minister of Universal Health and Public Health, modification of paragraph 2 of the first article of said Resolution and addition of a sub-paragraph d in paragraph 1 of the first resolution of the Resolution of 19 of January 2021, from the Minister of Universal Health and Public Health.
1 – The Resolution of January 19th 2021 (which detailed the exceptional and additional measures agreed in the Comunidad Valenciana as a result of the worsening health crisis caused by COVID-19) is extended to 23:59 Monday 15th February.
2 – Paragraph 2 of the first article of the Resolution of January 19th 2021 is amended as follows:
2 – Measures for Commercial Premises
Commercial premises and commercial areas who offer products for sale must close at 6.00pm, except those who provide products which are considered essential, for example: food, drinks, hygiene products, pharmaceutical products, health products, optical products, orthopedic products, hairdressing services, and pet food. Only these essential products can be sold after 6.00pm.
In the case of commercial premises that provide different products in the same place, they must clearly mark each one of them out, respecting the limits for each product sector according to its established capacity. In all cases, the appropriate measures will be established through the use of signals to mark the direction of circulation and physical barriers which define each space. The above shall not apply to supermarkets, self-service zones, and other small food stores. The capacity in each establishment and commercial premises should be limited and the capacity allowed should be visible at the entrance. The use of communal and recreation zones in both commercial premises and service providers, including those located in shopping centres, is not permitted, except for transit between commercial premises.
For the purposes of paragraph 2, both those establishments whose main activity is the provision of professional services and centres where non-regulated training is given, are not included.
3 – A sub-paragraph d is added to paragraph 1 of the first article of the Resolution of January 19th 2021 as follows:
d) Saunas, spas, solariums, Turkish baths, health resorts, massage centres and the like are also closed.
Fourth Article: Collaboration
The collaboration of the regional and local administrations is requested for the purposes of cooperation, where appropriate, through the security bodies and local police, for the control and application of the adopted measures.
Fifth Article: Sanctions
Those who fail to comply with the measures of this resolution will be subject to investigation and sanctioned accordingly, as established in Regional Decree 11/2020 July 24th 2020, detailing the specific sanctions in the case of non-compliance with the regulations to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Sixth Article: Effectiveness and Validity
This resolution will take effect from 00:00 on Monday February 1st 2021 and will remain in effect until 23:59 on Monday February 15th 2021.
