EL PAÍS in English

Dear readers,

The Spanish government announced on Friday the areas that will move to new phases of the coronavirus deescalation plan. Madrid's request to transition to Phase 1, which allows social gatherings of up to 10 people, was rejected again by the central government. Some restrictions on shops in the region, however, will be lifted in a bid to reactivate the economy.

Earlier in the week, the government introduced a 14-day quarantine for all international travelers to Spain. The measure, which came into effect on Friday, has alarmed the Spanish tourism sector, which is already struggling from the fallout of the coronavirus crisis.

And in other news, the preliminary results of an antibody study has revealed that just 5% of Spaniards have contracted the coronavirus.

We hope you enjoy this selection of articles from the EL PAÍS English Edition, and that you are staying safe.

Thanks for reading.

Melissa Kitson

Madrid region and Barcelona to remain in Phase 0, but with some coronavirus restrictions eased

The entire Valencia region is transitioning to a looser lockdown, while a few Spanish islands are moving ahead to Phase 2

Spain to extend restrictions on international travelers until June 15

The temporary measures, aimed at slowing the coronavirus outbreak, will not affect essential travel

Antibody study shows just 5% of Spaniards have contracted the coronavirus

Preliminary findings of the survey reveal that over 90% of infections have gone undetected by the healthcare system

Spain’s Civil Guard warns about risk of social unrest due to Covid-19 crisis

An internal document discusses the likelihood of street disturbances over the fallout of the prolonged lockdown

Spain’s reeling tourism industry objects to travel restrictions

Airlines are refusing to space out passengers while hotels warn the quarantine will keep visitors away

How the coronavirus crisis destroyed work-life balance in Spain

The lockdown has given the 4.5 million families in the country with small children an overload of responsibility. Experts are calling for urgent measures

The story behind the hoax English Edition headline that spread like wildfire on Twitter

The man who took the photo of the machine-translated webpage explains to Verne how an “innocent joke” among friends turned into viral sensation accusing EL PAÍS of incompetence

Will the office become a thing of the past in Spain?

As the coronavirus lockdown eases, experts predict that capacity in the workplace will be reduced by 30% to 50%, with staff combining teleworking with on-site shifts

Portugal and Spain: same peninsula, very different coronavirus impact

Early action by Portuguese authorities is being credited for the country’s low death and infection figures

For Spain’s youngest students, no going back to school this academic year

Regional education chiefs reject recommendations by PM Pedro Sánchez to open up classrooms for children up to six years of age when Phase 2 of the deescalation plan goes into effect

El Roto

El Roto cartoon, May 14, 2020

Thanks readers!