HEALTH authorities have been speaking for some time now of the 'New Normality' when Spain is fully out of lockdown – auguring changes to the way we live and interact that offer a somewhat depressing panorama – but the government has now confirmed what this really means, and it's not as bad as we first thought.
The 'New Normality' is not about how we will live the rest of our lives; it's more of a 'Phase 4', with stringent security and hygiene measures but no confinement, and will only last until the SARS-CoV-2 is considered 'beaten'.
By this, the government means that a vaccine would have been found and made widely available in much the same way the autumn-winter influenza inoculation is administered annually to anyone aged 65 and over, public sector workers in close contact with other people, and anyone with a health condition that could make a bout of the 'flu much more serious – or, alternatively, when no active cases remain in the country, the risk of imported cases is minimal, and a further outbreak appears unlikely.
So it's not going to be forever – although it's likely to last longer than the standard two weeks of the four 'unlocking phases'.
Current 'Phase 3' areas are hoped to be in 'New Normality' mode by June 22, and those still on 'Phase 2' should, all being well, be there by June 29.
No restrictions, but 'act as though everyone has got it'
With over half the country now on the final 'Phase 3' and the remainder on 'Phase 2', a large dose of 'normality' has already arrived with businesses now open and no restrictions on movement within the same province, and 'New Normality' will restore it all except for the requirement to continue social distancing and wear masks.
Effectively, although we will all be able to live much as we did before, the general advice is to act as though everyone you see is a Covid-19 carrier – even though 'New Normality' will not start until this is relatively unlikely.
Compulsory mask-wearing will remain as it is currently – anywhere outside the home, even in the street or out in the countryside, on all public transport and inside all buildings open to the public, for anyone aged six or over, as well as in private modes of transport of up to nine seats unless all passengers and the driver are from the same household.
Read more at thinkSPAIN.com