The Ministry of Health has published this Saturday, May 23, in BOE (Orden SND / 440/2020, of May 23) the rules to follow to maintain distance and avoid contagions on the beaches, which can be used with the beginning of Phase 2 in the different Spanish provinces.

Which are the restrictions imposed by the Government on the use of the beaches and their facilities?

– 4 square meters per person (at any of the beaches facilities)

– groups limited to 15 people maximum (does not apply to people living together)

– walks and baths allowed as long as they can be done individually -groups of 15 people maximum, except for cohabitants-, keeping the safety distance of 2 meters

– outdoor showers and footbaths, maximum 1 person, unless the latter needs assistance (1 attendant max.). The cleaning and disinfection of the toilets and footbaths must be reinforced to guarantee their health conditions and hygiene.

– towels, deckchairs, etc., guaranteeing a security perimeter of 2 meters with respect to other people -except for people living together or groups of 15 people maximum-

– public sun beds must be disinfected when changing users

– The City Councils may extend the limitations defined by the Ministry of Health:

• • • Access (but the beaches will always be free),
    • time,
    • limited parking capacity

To calculate the capacity of the beaches, a strip of at least 6 square meters will be discounted from the seashore.

In phase 2 of de-escalation in the face of the Covid-19 health crisis in Spain, the use of the beaches, as well as their equipment, has been allowed and regulated to guarantee hygiene and health safety measures for the population.

What other particularities are established in the Ministerial Order for the use of beaches and their facilities?

The City Councils must clean and disinfect the beaches with substances that are not harmful to the environment.

The rental of jet skis, pedal boats and other sports or recreational equipment is allowed in Phase 2, but the owners of these businesses will have to comply with the provisions for retail in Phase 2. In addition, all recreational and sports vehicles will have to be disinfected before each use.

Users will be reminded, through visible signage or other means, of the hygiene rules and rules in general to observe, remembering the obligation to leave the beach and its facilities in the event of any symptom compatible with COVID-19.

Nothing is said about the use of masks on the beach. What do you think about it? Measures have already been established on the use of masks in public spaces.

Pérez Parras Economists & Lawyers Firm recommends a responsible use of public spaces, to safeguard the health of all and progress positively and gradually in recovering normality and economic and social well-being.