Today, July 13^th 2020, the Regional Government of Murcia (CARM) have made modifications to the laws regarding the wearing of facemasks, making them obligatory irrespective of social distancing, below is a translation of the relevant sections of the BORM (Regional Legislation):-

BORM número 160 de 13/07/2020

 Agreement:

Modification of the Annex of the Agreement of June 19, 2020 of the Council of Government of the Region of Murcia, regarding prevention measures and containment applicable in the Region of Murcia, to face the crisis health situation caused by COVID-19, after the end of the emergency state and for the reactivation phase, in the following terms:

One. In section I, regarding general hygiene measures, prevention and capacity, new wording is applied to subsection 1, with the following literal tenor:

“1. General obligations of social distancing and the use of a mask.”

1.1 All citizens must take the necessary measures to avoid the generation of risks of spread of the COVID-19 disease, as well as own exposure to such risks, in accordance with the provisions of the Royal Decree Law 21/2020, of June 9. This duty of caution and protection will also be equally enforceable on the holders of any activity.

These measures will include respect for the rules of respiratory masks, as well as, whenever possible, maintaining the safety distance interpersonal of at least 1.5 metres provided for in Royal Decree Law 21/2020, June 9.

1.2 In all cases, on public roads, in outdoor spaces and in any closed space for public use or that is open to the public, the use of a mask is essential.

1.3 The mask should cover the mouth and nose, covering from the chin to the nasal septum, so that the nostrils are not exposed.

1.4 However, the use of the mask will not be mandatory in the following assumptions:

- People under the age of six.

- People who present some type of illness or respiratory distress that may be aggravated by the use of the mask.

- People who, due to their situation of disability or dependency, do not have the self-ability to remove the mask.

- People who present behavioural changes that make their utilisation unviable.

- Practice of outdoor sports.

- Cases of force majeure or situation of need.

- When, due to the nature of the activities, the use of the mask is incompatible. In particular, its use will not be mandatory during the consumption of drinks and food or in swimming pools or beaches, however it is recommended when out of the water.

In the cases where the use of masks is essential, the use of additional means of protection or barrier is recommended, especially the use of face screens.

1.5. The use of any other means of protection or additional barrier to the use of a mask, when the concurrent risk level make it necessary.

1.6. In those activities that are carried out with the participants or clients sitting or lying down, the distance of 1.5 metres must be maintained between seats, deckchairs or between tables and groupings of tables, exceptions being for people with (family/residential) ties. In all cases, the appropriate precautionary and protective measures must be observed to prevent contagion”.

Two. In subsection 2 of section I of the annex, a subsection 2.11 is added, which is worded as follows:

"2.11. Sharing of tobacco inhalation devices is prohibited, hookahs, pipes or similar in any establishment open to the public."

Three. In subsection 3 of section I of the annex, paragraph 3.8 is deleted.

*3.8. Masks will be used when the interpersonal security distance cannot be guaranteed, during the entire time of movement between common spaces and at times of entry and exit.* IS DELETED

Four. In section II of the annex, regarding specific measures of containment and capacity applicable to each sector, the final paragraph of the subsection 2.2, being this drafted in the following terms:

"2.2. In those cases where the use of public roads is authorised for the celebration of acts of worship, the distance of minimal interpersonal security will be respected”.

Five: In this section II, subsections 15.3 and 16.5 are deleted.

Six: In section III, regarding sectoral organisational measures, a new subsection 9 is introduced, the wording of which would be as follows:

"9. Specific measures regarding agricultural and livestock activity and agri-food and meat industries.”

9.1. All agricultural and livestock farms and food and meat industries must have a COVID- 19 specific protocol or guide, adapted to the specific activities they carry out and that applies to their own or singular elements of each, such as the cooling and ventilation conditions necessary for the development of activity or other factors or elements that are considered to influence the spread of the virus, particularly the safety distances and the existence of protection barriers between personnel.

9.2. Likewise, these industries will ensure that their own personnel or those from temporary employment agencies, be informed of the measures of prevention and hygiene that must be adopted in transportation and accommodation, especially those provided for in subsection 4 of section I of the Annex, relative to the General Measures of Hygiene, Prevention and Capacity”.