Inter-territorial Council of National Health System agrees on raft of common measures for Christmas festivities

The reference document states that these recommendations require coordination work between all tiers of government - national, regional and local - and to work jointly with municipalities and trading organisations, and social, cultural and sporting agents.

The measures propose a scenario in which the epidemiological situation shows a downward trend but with different situations in distinct autonomous regions and cities, and hence may be subject to restrictions that may vary according to the epidemiological situation in each region, in accordance with the provisions of the document of Coordinated Response Actions for the control of the spread of COVID-19 and its regulatory implementation in each region.

During the Christmas festivities, as specified in the agreement, messages should be stepped up on preventive measures, including those related to ventilation and open-air activities.

Accordingly, the "6M" should always be taken into account: face coverings (use of face covering whenever possible), hands (wash hands frequently), metres (maintaining social distancing), maximise ventilation and open-air activities (keep doors and windows open as far as it is safe and feasible depending on the temperature), minimise the number of contacts (preferably always the same support bubble) and in the event of symptoms, diagnosis or contact with someone with COVID-19 " I stay at home".

Arrival in and departure from autonomous regions and cities

The agreement states that between 23 December and 6 January, the regional governments and autonomous cities will implement the limitations on the entry into and departure from their regions as provided for in Article 6.1 of Royal Decree 926/2020, of 25 October, except for those trips, duly accredited, that take place for one of the reasons provided, or to reach the primary residence of family or friends.

However, in light of the evolution of the epidemiological situation, the regional governments and autonomous cities with a Statute of Autonomy may establish that this last exception is only applicable on certain days.

It should also be mentioned that the provisions of this section will not be applicable to the Canary Islands or the Balearic Islands, due to their specific characteristics as islands. These regions will be covered by such measures as are opportune.

Gatherings with family and friends

As regards gatherings with family and friends for Christmas meals on 24, 25 and 31 December, and on 1 January, these must not exceed more than 10 people, excluding those who live together.

At any event, the recommendation is that these are all part of the same group who live together. Furthermore, special care should be taken with those people in a situation of vulnerability.

In addition, students who return home for the holidays are recommended to limit their social interactions and take all preventive measures for the preceding 10 days. Furthermore, they should adhere to the preventive measures applicable in each autonomous region and city. And once home, they should limit their contact, respect their support bubble and interact above all in the open air, rather than indoors.

Night-time mobility and Christmas events

As regards night-time mobility on 24, 25 and 31 December, and on 1 January, regional government and autonomous cities must impose a limitation on the freedom of movement of people at night, as provided for in Article 5 of Royal Decree 926/2020, of 25 October, although they may determine the starting time of this limitation, which must be by 1:30 am at the latest, and solely to allow people to return home. The agreement underlines that under no circumstance may this timetable extension be allowed for people to travel to social events.

In terms of Christmas events organised between 23 December and 6 January, regional governments and autonomous cities may not allow in situ events to be held with a large number of attendees, unless compliance with the provisions of the document entitled "Recommendation for events and activities with large gatherings in the context of the new normal for COVID-19 in Spain" can be guaranteed.

In addition, celebrations should only be held that can guarantee compliance with the rules on hygiene and prevention, such as stationary parades in places where access can be controlled, virtual twelve strikes at midnight on New Year's Eve and the broadcasting of events by television or other telematic means.

On a general basis, the health authorities must assess the risks of the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 associated with events and activities with large gatherings, and provide for the adoption of the opportune measures to reduce the risk.

Hospitality industry and public thoroughfares

Hotel and catering establishments must follow the rules on capacity and prevention, and the rest of the restrictions in force in each autonomous region and city. In particular, in indoor areas, they must guarantee adequate natural or mechanical ventilation. They are also recommended to reinforce the message to use face coverings when not eating or drinking and to avoid eating from shared plates.

In coordination with local authorities, people are encouraged, at any event, to make greater use of open air public spaces and ensure that there are more spaces available for the public, and to hold cultural events, activities for children and for the hospitality industry and commercial activities in the open air, always respecting the aforesaid provision regarding holding Christmas events with a large number of people.

It should be pointed out that it is prohibited to eat or drink in public thoroughfares, except in those areas enabled to that end.

Sporting and cultural events

The document specifies that large sporting events may not be held, and recommends other forms with virtual participation instead. Traditional Christmas activities that are held in cinemas, theatres, auditoriums, circus tents and similar venues may only be held while respecting the capacity in the corresponding autonomous region or city.

Whenever possible, these activities should be held in the open air and always guaranteeing that social distancing rules are complied with to minimise contact between those attending.

Religious celebrations

For their part, religious ceremonies in closed spaces must follow the rules on capacity established in each autonomous region or city. It is recommended to avoid signing and use pre-recorded music instead. Physical displays of devotion or tradition (kisses, contact with images, sculptures, etc.) should also be avoided, and be replaced by others that do not entail a health risk.

The holding of religious events, such as midnight mass, must not endanger compliance with the regulation on the limitation of the freedom of movement of people at night-time. Accordingly, it is recommended to offer alternative virtual or televised services.

Trade and transport

As regards shopping, people are recommended to do this in advance to avoid large crowds in streets and at shopping centres. In addition, stores and busy shopping streets must respect the capacity provided for in the corresponding autonomous region or city, ensuring that social distancing rules are upheld.

During the Christmas holidays, the suitability of increasing the frequency of public transport timetables to avoid large crowds is transferred to the competent authorities, guaranteeing adequate ventilation and compliance with the preventive measures, which include not eating and ensuring the correct use of face coverings. However, whenever possible, it is better to travel in open-air transport.

Care homes

In the section that addresses care homes, it is recommended that in those cases in which residents go out for longer due to the Christmas festivities, these should be restricted to a single home while maintaining a stable bubble of those who live together.

Upon their return, they are advised to carry out a diagnostic test for active infection and to take all surveillance and prevention measures possible in the following days.

Coordination with local authorities

Lastly, it is recommended to establish effective coordination with the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces and regional federations of municipalities. The aim is to report on the epidemiological situation and agree on measures that are implemented in municipalities and that enable different Christmas celebrations to be enjoyed by citizens, with open-air activities and complying with the "6M" preventive measures and the application of limitations on groups of people.

Non official translation