Spain eases restrictions in major cities as it moves into second phase

Major parks and cafe terraces reopened in Madrid for the first time in more than two months as the capital and the surrounding region moved into the second phase of the loosening of lockdown restrictions.

The Barcelona metropolitan area and parts of Castilla y Leon also joined Madrid in the same phase, which allows groups of up to 10 people to meet as long as they maintain physical distancing.

Small shops can also open without prior appointments and places of worship can reopen at 30 per cent capacity.

Madrid’s mayor, José Luis Martínez-Almeida, marked the occasion by tweeting a picture of himself standing by the boating lake in the city’s famous El Retiro park. “Open,” he tweeted. “Good morning and let’s be responsible.”

Almost half of Spain, 47 per cent, has moved into the third phase of the de-escalation.

The penultimate phase allows shops in shopping centres to reopen (but not communal areas) and restaurants to serve customers inside, but while operating at 40 per cent capacity.

Cinemas and theatres are also permitted to open, but must operate at 30% capacity.