Marbella will move a little closer to the “New Normal” on Monday.

With last night’s announcement that Malaga Province will finally be allowed to move to Phase 1 – a week later than most of Spain – certain restrictions will be eased.

Some of the major points will be the freedom of movement within Malaga Province for shopping, play certain sports and to meet people; the ability to meet friends and family in groups of up to ten people, and the opening of bar and restaurant terraces up to 50% of capability.

Some restrictions still apply, however. The designated hours for leaving the house for walks and exercise still apply, but your are allowed to go shopping or sit on a bar terrace at any time.

Hotels, retail stores and professional services less than 400 sq m are allowed to open, except those in commercial centres without direct access. Garden centres, ITV centres and car showrooms are allowed to open only by appointment. Open air markets are allowed to open but only with 25% of their stalls.

Outdoor sports facilities will be accessible, except for swimming pools and water areas. Individual sports or those that can be carried out by a maximum of two people will be allowed, as long as they do not maintain physical contact and comply with the interpersonal distance of two metres. Gyms can open via appointment only at 30% of capacity, and with two metres of separation, while the showers and changing rooms are off limits. Hunting and fishing are allowed as is nature tourism.

Cinemas, galleries, museums and theatres are also permitted to open, but only with 30% capacity and open air events have a maximum of 200 people.

Marbella mayor Ángeles Muñoz welcomed Juan Manuel Moreno Bonilla, President of the Junta de Andalucia yesterday (pictured) when she took the opportunity to stress that Marbella was “a destination that had COVID-19 under control”.