The Government of Spain has declared a state of alarm in Spanish territory. This declaration may occur, in accordance with our Constitution, in some of the following situations that may affect in some way the day-to-day of our country and therefore, the citizens and our economy:

• Risk, catastrophe or public calamity (earthquakes, fires, floods or large accidents).
• Serious health risk situations (epidemics or pollution).
• Situations of supply of necessities.
• Paralysis of public services essential to the community and when any of the above circumstances or situations occur (as in the case of air traffic controllers in 2010).

This means that the Government may limit the movement or permanence of persons or vehicles at certain times and places, make temporary requisitions of goods and impose compulsory personal benefits, intervene and temporarily occupy industries, factories, workshops, farms or premises of any kind, giving account to the Ministries concerned, limiting or rationing the use of services or the consumption of necessities , to issue the necessary orders to ensure the supply of the markets and the functioning of the services and production centres concerned.

Therefore, our companies can see their activity limited as a result of this situation and it is the moral obligation of all, to try to make it affect our economy as little as possible while always preserving the health of our citizens. To do this, it is important to be able to use, in certain sectors, such as ours, whenever the situation allows, all the means (computer, telematics, etc.)  that we have at our disposal and be able to give peace of mind to our customers and employees.

From a strictly legal point of view, it must be borne in mind that the state of alarm decreed by the Government of Spain by the coronavirus, confirms the suspension of procedural, civil and administrative deadlines, until the alarm state ceases, except actions that need to be taken to avoid further damage.

With regard to the suspension of time limits throughout the public sector, it is established that the competent body may, provided that it deems appropriate, agree on measures of organisation and instruction strictly necessary to avoid serious prejudice to the rights and interests of the person concerned in the proceedings and provided that the person in the proceedings has conformity, or if he is concerned agrees with the non-suspension.

The Royal Decree Law 21/2020 of June 9 aims to establish the urgent measures of prevention, containment and coordination necessary to face the health crisis caused by COVID-19, as well as to prevent possible outbreaks, with a view to overcoming of phase III of the Plan for the Transition towards a New Normality by some provinces, islands and territorial units and, eventually, the expiration of the validity of the state of alarm declared by Royal Decree 463/2020, of March 14, declaring a state of alarm for the management of the health crisis situation caused by COVID-19, and its extensions.

What is established in this royal decree-law will be applicable throughout the national territory, although some of the measures contemplated will only be applicable in those provinces, islands or territorial units that have passed phase III of the Plan for the Transition towards a New Normality, and in which all measures of the state of alarm have been canceled, in accordance with the provisions of article 5 of Royal Decree, 555/2020, of June 5, which extends the declared state of alarm by Royal Decree 463/2020, of March 14.

Once the extension of the state of alarm established by Royal Decree 555/2020, of June 5, has ended, all measures will be applied throughout the national territory until the Government declares in a motivated manner and in accordance with the available scientific evidence , following a report from the Center for Coordination of Health Alerts and Emergencies, the end of the health crisis situation caused by COVID-19.