Phase 3

We’ve made it to Phase 3!

The main change is that once an autonomous community reaches Phase 3, they regain local control (something that was given over to the national government during the state of alarm that started in mid March). Spain is made up of 17 autonomous communities.

Andalucía, the most southern autonomous community, is made up of 8 provinces, including Málaga, where we live.

Another freedom allowed in phase 3 is movement throughout the entire autonomous community of Andalucía, and not just the province of Málaga.

We are allowed to get out when we want and most stores and businesses are allowed to open, with strict sanitary guidelines. People still need to wear masks and keep distance when possible.

Playgrounds and workout parks remain closed.

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The coastal region of Andalucía, known as Costa del Sol, is looking forward to the economic benefits of the return of tourists, both national and international, by the end of the month, but also very concerned about the summer beach crowds and is trying to put many measures place to encourage people to keep their distance.

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While we do still see police from time to time, mostly on the beach, their presence is greatly reduced. I think mostly they are checking to make sure that people are not gathering in too large of groups (at this point, no more than 20).

The national government has said that the state of alarm will come to an end June 22, and we will enter “new normal,” which will stay in place until a vaccine is developed. The international borders will not open until July 1st, however, so our return home is delayed until July, when, hopefully, we will be able to get a flight out of Spain, and then a flight into the US.