Life in the Times of Coronavirus: Lockdown Days 46-51: April 27-May 2, 2020

Yesterday marked fifty days—seven weeks—since the state of emergency was declared in Spain officially on March 14. We are still technically under the government-enforced lockdown (which is scheduled to be in force until May 9), though given the improving situation in Spain, certain restrictions have been lifted.

As of today, for example, some outdoor activity is allowed. From 6-10 a.m. and from 8:00 – 11:00 p.m., adults under 70 may exercise on an individually or go for walks no more than 1 kilometer (a little more than half a mile) from their homes. Those over 70 are allowed the same privileges from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Same distance limits apply. Kids 14 and under (in groups of three maximum) can be outside with a parent or guardian from 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. A chart has been going around on WhatsApp in Spain to summarize this for us:

Life in the Times of Coronavirus: Lockdown Days 38-46

And then, just as quickly as they had appeared, the masks vanished. Because the situation in Spain has improved, certain restrictions that have been in place are slowly being lifted. As of today, for example, children under 14 can go outside with a parent or guardian from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. If the favorable data trends continue—i.e., if the infection rates continue declining along with the COVID-19 related deaths—then adults will also be able to exercise or go for walks outside.

Life in the Times of Coronavirus: Lockdown Day 31

Despite some stern warnings from the scientific community—and the fact that as of today there have been nearly 170,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus (nearly 65,000 of whom have recovered)—workers in Spain deemed “nonessential” can return to their jobs starting today.

As is the case in a lot of countries, though, we are having trouble receiving a unified, consistent message. In the space of three days, we’ve received conflicting news: first, that the complete confinement would last until mid-May at the least; then, that “some” workers would be allowed to return to work; yesterday, the government seemed to suggest that folks should instead remain at home. Today, workers whose jobs are deemed non-essential—the list is long and includes everything from hairstylists, smoke shops, construction work and gas stations—returned to their jobs today.