Plan Seguimos Cuidándonos Paso a Paso (Let’s Keep Taking Care of Each Other, Step-by-Step Plan)
Two years on from the start of the pandemic, the situation we are now facing is very different thanks to the scientific progress made with addressing COVID-19, as well as the measures put in place by the population. High vaccination coverage (over 90%) gives us an important level of immunity and protection against the possibility of getting seriously ill and/or dying from SARS-CoV-2.
For this reason, and because the population has adopted basic prevention measures, the Plan Paso a Paso (Step-by-Step Plan) has now been reformulated by the National Pandemic Response Committee (CNRP), a body comprising the Technical Secretariat, composed of experts from the Health Ministry and the Public Health Institute, and the External Advisory Council, made up of 12 specialists independent of the ministry. These decisions were taken using information provided by the seven Permanent Expert Working Groups that feed the Committee.
New stages in the Plan Paso a Paso
The reformulation of the Plan Paso a Paso includes three phases: Low, Medium and High Health Impact. There are also two additional scenarios: the most severe is called Restricción (Restriction) and the most favorable is called Apertura (Opening).
The new stages of the Plan Seguimos Cuidándonos Paso a Paso will be put in place according to health and prevention criteria, such as community circulation of the virus, impact on healthcare networks, and the possibility of those infected becoming serious ill or dying. The changes cover measures such as the use of facemasks and different maximum capacities for large-scale events, which consider criteria like crowding and possible social distancing, as well as more specific measures for educational institutions and physical workspaces.
The three phases are:
Low Health Impact Phase
This phase is the one with the fewest restrictions. It is determined according to the amount of pressure on the healthcare network, viral circulation and the prevalence of serious illness and death. Vaccination is one of the most important favorable indicators to reach this stage.
• Facemask use will be mandatory in all open spaces in which you cannot maintain physical social distancing of more than one meter, and always mandatory in all closed spaces.
• The mobility pass will be required.
• Meetings can be held without capacity restrictions or social distancing.. All those present must show their mobility pass.
Large-scale events can take place with no capacity restrictions, although facemasks and the mobility pass will be required.
Medium Health Impact Phase
In this phase, the scenario involves less intense pressure on the healthcare network, viral circulation and the prevalence of serious illness and death, as well as factors such as hospital bed occupancy and respiratory consultations.
• Facemask use will always be mandatory in closed spaces, and in all open spaces in which you cannot maintain physical social distancing of more than one meter.
• The mobility pass will be required.
• People must maintain social distancing of at least one meter in closed spaces, and the mobility pass will be mandatory.
Provided the space allows for social distancing, large-scale events will have a maximum capacity of 10,000 people, who must wear facemasks and have a mobility pass.
High Health Impact Phase
This phase is the most serious of the main scenarios included in the new Plan Paso a Paso. This phase will be implemented when there is high and growing viral circulation, a critical assessment of possible pressure on the healthcare network and a high prevalence of serious illness and death.
• Facemask use will always be mandatory in open and closed spaces, including collective public and private transport.
• The mobility pass will be required in all places.
• People must maintain social distancing of 1.5 meters in closed spaces and the mobility pass will be mandatory.
• Large-scale events will have a maximum capacity of 200 people, subject to facemask use and the mobility pass requirement. Specific capacities are therefore subject to the place’s size.
Scenarios
The phases are the most important part of the Plan Seguimos Cuidándonos, Paso a Paso. However, they are situated within two more general and extreme scenarios, one positive and the other negative, which are mainly affected by the global aspect of the SARS-CoV2 pandemic.
‘Restriction’ Scenario
This is the more serious within the three phases and relates to a global scenario in which a new variant that is much more contagious, lethal or has greater immunological resistance appears. In this scenario, quarantine can be mandated.
‘Opening’ Scenario
This phase allows greater flexibility, and supposes a scenario in which protection against the virus is assured, without the need to implement new vaccine booster doses or changes to the immunization scheme.
ALL THESE MEASURES COME INTO FORCE AT 5AM ON THURSDAY, APRIL 14.