Back to the Bars for Malaga’s Costa del Sol But Here’s How You’ll Have to Sit Under Spain’s New Regulations

Malaga’s Costa del Sol has finally entered Phase 1 of Spain’s de-escalation plan, which entails a much-awaited return to the sunny terraces of its bars and restaurants, but this return to a new normality will have certain regulations and rules that you must abide to.

STARTING from today, Monday May 18, hospitality businesses can reopen their terraces to customers with a capacity capped at 50 per cent which must also respect the boundaries of social distancing.

According to the decree which has outlined what rules and regulations these establishments must now follow under Phase 1 of the de-escalation plan, the terraces must open ‘limiting 50 per cent of their true capacity allowed at the same time last year according to their municipal licence.’

However, bars are not the only ones who must play their part in respecting norms, as the customers are also expected to ‘assure themselves that they are withholding the necessary physical distance of at least two metres from one another and each other’s tables.’

Furthermore, this same order decrees that each table of customers must have a maximum amount of 10 people at their group of tables. It also states that ‘the table or grouping of tables that are used to accommodate customers must reflect this maximum number of people, also allowing them to respect a minimum distance of interpersonal space.’

Despite these new regulations, bars and restaurants on the coast are eager to get their customers back and regain some sense of normality as they must reactivate the struggling hospitality economy.