Phase 2 for the retail trade and assimilated services

Phase 2 for the retail trade and assimilated services starts on March 18th. And it is developed through: Order SND/414/2020, of 16 May.

The development rules for accompanying this phase are published. And modifications of application are introduced from May 18, in Phase 0 and Phase 1.

Phase 2 for the retail trade

The relief measures are extended over those established in Phase 0 and 1, for the territorial units that access Phase 2.

The degree of confinement is relaxed and the time slots for physical activity are extended, although free movement remains restricted to the area of the province where the person resides. This is without prejudice to justified journeys to another part of the national territory for health, work, professional reasons, etc.

The capacity for holding vigils and burials is increased (with a maximum limit of twenty-five people in open spaces and fifteen people in closed spaces). Also the celebration and attendance to places of worship provided that it does not exceed fifty percent of its capacity. Wedding ceremonies may be held in all types of public or private facilities, whether in open air or closed spaces, provided that the capacity does not exceed fifty percent (maximum of one hundred people in open air spaces or fifty people in closed spaces).

In any case, the general measures of hygiene and physical distance established by the health authorities must be complied with.

Activities

The rules on hygiene and prevention common to all activities are maintained, without prejudice to having to comply with those specific to each activity.

Retail shops can be reopened without restrictions, as can the provision of similar services, hotels and restaurants, use of common areas in hotels, visits to supervised housing, residential centres for the elderly, and activities in the fields of culture, sport, use of swimming pools, opening of beaches, etc.

Peculiarities in the activity of retail trade and the provision of assimilated services

All retail shops and business premises and professional service activities (whose activity has been suspended following the declaration of the state of alert) may be reopened to the public, irrespective of their useful exhibition and sales area, including those located in parks or shopping centres, provided that they meet all the following requirements:

The total capacity of the commercial premises is increased to 40%. In the case of establishments distributed over several floors, the presence of customers on each floor must be in the same proportion.
A minimum distance of 2m between customers must always be guaranteed. In commercial premises where it is not possible to maintain such a distance, only one customer may remain inside the premises.
That a service schedule is established with priority service for those over 65 years of age.
That they additionally comply with the measures set out in this chapter.

All establishments and premises that may be reopened to the public may establish, where appropriate, collection systems on the premises for products purchased by telephone or online, provided that they guarantee a staggered collection that avoids crowding inside the premises or access to them. Similarly, a preferential home delivery system may be set up for specific groups.

In the case of markets that carry out their activity in the open air (flea markets) …/… authorised by the corresponding Town Halls, the limitation is extended to one third of the usual or authorised stalls and an influx of people that ensures that social distances are maintained at two metres. Alternatively, the surface area authorized for this activity can be increased or new days can be made available for it, in such a way as to produce an effect equivalent to the aforementioned limitation.

Conditions for the reopening of shopping centres and malls to the public

Shopping centres and malls may be reopened to the public, provided that all the following conditions are met:

The total capacity of these is limited to thirty percent of their common areas, in accordance with the capacity determined in the Self-Protection Plan of each shopping centre or park.
That the capacity of each of the commercial establishments located in them is limited to forty percent.
Customers will not be allowed to remain in the common areas except for mere transit between the commercial establishments.

These conditions will not be applicable to the hotel and restaurant activity carried out in these common areas, which will be in accordance with what is established for these activities.

The use of recreational areas such as children’s areas, toy libraries or rest areas is prohibited and must remain closed.
Comply with the hygiene measures established generally for retail establishments and premises, and also the specific measures established for this type of establishment.

Hygiene measures required for establishments and premises open to the public.

Carry out at least twice a day, a cleaning and disinfection of the facilities with special attention to the most frequent contact surfaces such as door knobs, counters, furniture, handrails, dispensing machines, floors, telephones, hangers, carts and baskets, taps, and other elements of similar characteristics, according to the following guidelines:

One of the cleanings must be done at the end of the day.
The general cleaning and disinfection instructions will be applicable.
For this cleaning, a break may be taken during the day, preferably at midday, to carry out maintenance, cleaning and replacement tasks. These cleaning closing times shall be duly communicated to the consumer by means of visible signs or messages on public address systems.

Likewise, cleaning and disinfection of the work stations will be carried out at each change of shift, with special attention to counters and tables or other elements of the market stalls, screens where appropriate, keyboards, payment terminals, touch screens, work tools and other elements susceptible to manipulation, paying special attention to those used by more than one worker Where more than one worker is to be employed in the establishment or premises to attend to the public, cleaning measures shall extend not only to the commercial area but also, where appropriate, to workers’ private areas such as changing rooms, lockers, toilets, kitchens and rest areas.

Important

It will be checked at least once a day. The operation and cleaning of toilets, taps and doorknobs in retail shops and premises.
In the case of automatic sale. Vending machines, self-service laundries and similar activities, the holder of these must ensure compliance with appropriate hygiene and disinfection measures. Both the machines and the premises. As well as informing users of their correct use through the installation of informative posters.

Hygiene and/or prevention measures for personnel working in establishments and premises that are open to the public.

The distance between the vendor or service provider and the customer throughout the customer service process shall be at least 1m. When protective elements or barriers are in place. Or approximately 2m without these elements. Likewise, the distance between the stalls of open-air markets or non-sedentary sales (flea markets) on public roads and pedestrians will be 2m at all times.

In the case of services that do not allow the maintenance of the interpersonal safety distance. As in the case of hairdressers, beauty or physiotherapy centres, the appropriate protective equipment must be used for the level of risk. This ensures the protection of both the worker and the client. In all cases, the 2m distance between one client and another must be maintained.

Measures relating to customer hygiene inside establishments and premises and at open-air or non-sedentary street markets

The time spent in the establishments and premises will be the time strictly necessary for customers to make their purchases or receive the service.
The establishments and premises, as well as the open-air markets or non-sedentary street markets (flea markets), must clearly indicate the 2m safety distance between customers. With marks on the floor, or by the use of beacons, posters and signs. For those cases in which it is possible to provide individualized attention to more than one customer at the same time. That cannot be done simultaneously by the same employee.
The establishments and premises must make available to the public dispensers of hydroalcoholic gels or disinfectants with virucidal activity authorized and registered by the Ministry of Health. In any case at the entrance of the premises, which must always be in a condition for use. It is recommended that these dispensers are also available in the vicinity of open-air markets or for non-sedentary sales on the public highway.
In shops and commercial premises, as well as in open-air markets or non-sedentary street markets, which have self-service areas. The service must be provided by a worker in the establishment or market. In order to avoid direct handling of products by customers.
Test products not intended for sale may not be made available to customers. Such as cosmetics, perfumes and similar products involving direct handling by successive customers. Telecommunications products may not be placed in commercial establishments for customer use and testing without the supervision of a salesperson. That in a permanent way can proceed to its immediate disinfection after the manipulation by each client.
In the establishments of the commercial textile sector, and of arrangements of clothes and similar. The dressing rooms must be used by only one person, and must be cleaned and disinfected after use.

Important

In the event that a customer tries on a garment that he does not subsequently purchase, the owner of the establishment will implement measures to have the garment sanitized before it is provided to other customers. This measure shall also apply to the return of garments by customers.

Capacity measures for establishments and premises open to the public

The establishments and premises must expose to the public the maximum capacity of each premises. And ensure that this capacity, as well as the safety distance of 2m is respected inside.
To this end, the establishments and premises must establish systems that allow the counting and control of the capacity. So that this is not exceeded at any time, and that it must include the workers themselves.
The organisation of the movement of persons and the distribution of space must be modified, where necessary, to ensure that safety distances can be maintained. Preferably, where a room has two or more doors, a separate use may be made for entry and exit.
In establishments and business premises that have their own parking spaces for employees and customers. When access to the facilities, ticket and employee card readers cannot be done automatically without contact, this will be replaced by continuous manual control by security personnel, for better monitoring of seating regulations. These personnel will also supervise compliance with the rules for staggered arrival and departure of employees. To and from their work stations, according to the shifts established by the centre.

Where appropriate, the doors along the route between the car park and the shop entrance will remain open. To avoid manipulation of the opening mechanisms.. This applies to the access to the employees’ changing rooms. And unless strict security reasons recommend otherwise.

Measures applicable to shopping centres and malls.

In addition, shopping centres and malls that reopen to the public must meet the following conditions:

The use of family toilets and breastfeeding rooms shall be restricted to a single family, and two family units may not be used at the same time.
The use of common toilets and breastfeeding rooms in shopping centres and parks shall be controlled by the staff of these centres and parks. They shall be cleaned and disinfected in accordance with Article 6.5.
The security personnel shall ensure that the minimum interpersonal distance of 2 m is respected and shall avoid the formation of large groups and agglomerations that may arise. They shall pay particular attention to escalator areas and lifts.
In the parking area, in addition to the continuous disinfection of the usual points of contact and making available to the customer of hydroalcoholic gel. Payment by electronic means without contact will be encouraged.
If necessary, fences or equivalent signaling systems will be used for better access control and people management in order to avoid any crowding. Preferably, provided that the centre or shopping park has two or more accesses, a differentiated use may be established for entry and exit. Thus reducing the risk of agglomeration.
Systems must be established to count and control the capacity. So that it is not exceeded at any time, and that it must include the workers themselves.

Important and expected change.

Commercial actions can be carried out, such as sales, promotional campaigns and offers. However, these actions must be accompanied by measures to ensure that no crowding occurs: