National
Only one in three bars has opened in cities where restrictions have been eased
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Scenes of people gathering as if nothing had changed led some owners to close again, finding it impossible to enforce social distancing regulations
While Malaga and Granada provinces remained in Phase Zero this week, just over half of the country did wake up to new opportunities on Monday.
The move was not all plain-sailing, especially around bars that decided to open their outdoor terraces.
The first mass held in Seville cathedral at the start of Phase One. / EP
According to Phase One regulations, tables must be a distance of two metres apart and only 50 per cent of a terrace's usual capacity is allowed.
Scenes of people gathering outside some bars as if nothing had changed led some owners to close again, finding it impossible to enforce social distancing regulations.
According to the ATA (association of self-employed workers) only one in three bars has opened this week in cities such as Seville, Bilbao, Zaragoza, Palma, Oviedo or Almeria.
The police forces were also setting up stricter controls at provincial boundaries as the new phase allows movement, but only within the home province.
