On March 11, 2020 the World Health Organization (WHO) characterized COVID-19 as a pandemic, stating: "WHO has been assessing this outbreak around the clock and we are deeply concerned both by the alarming levels of spread and severity, and by the alarming levels of inaction."
Then on Friday, March 13, the WHO declared that Europe was the pandemic epicenter with "more reported cases and deaths than the rest of the world combined, apart from China." WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, PhD, strongly urged European nations to take a comprehensive approach that includes testing, social distancing, quarantine and contact tracing to minimize the spread of the virus.
Since then, people around the world have struggled to understand what that means for them. News stories focusing on shortages of everything from surgical masks and hand sanitizer to toilet paper have spurred panic buying over the past week in nations across the world. For those unfortunate individuals who live in the most highly affected areas, the impact of COVID-19 is devastatingly real. For the rest of us, uncertainty is still the rule. No matter how closely we watch the news, the level of risk we face seems almost impossible to ascertain. Questions, concerns, comments, advice (both good and bad) and wildly unbelievable stories fill the social media outlets: Can I walk my dog? Should I go to work? Am I at risk? Is my family? Will the airports shut down? The trains?
A State of Emergency
As the US expanded its travel ban and contemplated restricting domestic travel, the Spanish government met in an extended extraordinary session on Saturday, March 14 to plan its response to the public health crisis it currently faces. With upwards of 7,750 infected and 288 deaths, Spain is the second hardest hit country in Europe. In a concerned effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19, the government passed Real Decreto 463/2020, de 14 de marzo in which it declared Spain to be in a state of emergency (estado de alarma) for 15 days.
Outlining restrictions on movement and severely limiting economic activity, the decree puts into place restrictions that are unprecedented for a country at peace. While the decree went into effect on Saturday when it was published, the restrictions on movement went into effect on Monday, March 16.
What Movement Is Permitted?
The government has emphasized that all individuals should remain home while the state of emergency is in effect. Movement will be permitted under the following circumstances:
- To buy food, medication or other essential items
- To go to a doctor or health-care facility
- To go to work
- To return to your place of residence
- To provide assistance to the elderly, minors, the disabled or especially vulnerable individuals
- To go to the bank or insurance company
- Due to force majeure or necessity
- Any other activity that is justified
What Economic Activity Is Permitted?
Any economic activity that is a potential risk to the spread of the virus is suspended with the exception of establishments that provide:
- Food, beverages, personal hygiene products and basic necessities
- Pet food
- Pharmaceuticals, orthopedics and medical and optical establishments
- Newspapers and stationery
- Automotive fuel
- Technological and telecommunication equipment
- Commerce for internet, telephone or correspondence
- Hairdressers
- Tobacconists
- Dry cleaners and laundromats
- Hospitality and restaurant services can continue to operate for delivery only
Education
All in-person educational activities, public or private, will be suspended during this period. To the extent possible, educational activities will be made available online.
The Days Ahead
It’s early in the quarantine period, and people are still adjusting to the challenges they face during this public health crisis. Many autonomos and small businesses are already feeling the pinch as work gets cancelled or postponed and businesses shut down for the next two weeks—or possibly longer. But so far, Barcelona’s population seems to be taking the lockdown in stride. At 22:00 on Saturday and 20:00 on Sunday, people throughout the city stood together at their windows and balconies to applaud the efforts of the city’s health-care workers and first responders in appreciation of the work they do and the risks they face as they take care of us and our loved ones.
Here at Barcelona Metropolitan we’re working remotely, like so many others. We strongly support the quarantine efforts put into place; painful as they may be, we are acutely aware that things could be worse. We live in a prosperous country with an excellent health-care system, in a beautiful international city that is working tirelessly to continue serving its citizens during this stressful time. Things could be much worse indeed.
In the coming days and weeks we’ll continue to strive to bring you information about COVID-19, the city and the international community. Barcelona and its people are resilient, and we remain optimistic that we’ll get through it together.
Stay inside, and stay safe Barcelona.
Image courtesy of the Ajuntament de Barcelona.
Numbers to Call in Barcelona
The city of Barcelona wishes to attend everyone with questions or concerns as expediently as possible, and asks that only those with serious medical emergencies call the emergency services number: 112.
If you are worried or have questions you can call 010 or 012.
If you are feeling unwell, please call 061.