Royal Decree 476/2020 of 27 March extending the state of alarm declared by Royal Decree 463/2020 for the management of the COVID-19 health crisis

I. GENERAL PROVISIONS MINISTRY OF THE PRESIDENCY, RELATIONS WITH THE CORTES AND DEMOCRATIC MEMORY 4155 Royal Decree 476/2020, of March 27, extending the state of alarm declared by Royal Decree 463/2020, of March 14, which declares the state of alarm for the management of the health crisis situation caused by COVID-19.

The Government, in the extraordinary meeting of the Council of Ministers on March 14, 2020, approved Royal Decree 463/2020, of March 14, which declares the state of alarm for the management of the health crisis situation caused by COVID-19.

The declaration of the state of alarm was extended to the entire national territory and included limitations on the freedom of movement of persons considered strictly indispensable to protect the health and safety of citizens, contain the progression of the disease, and reinforce the public health system. Within the framework of what is provided in Article 6.2 of Organic Law 4/1981, of June 1, on states of alarm, exception, and siege, it was established that the duration of the state of alarm would be fifteen calendar days.

Subsequently, the Government approved Royal Decree 465/2020, of March 17, which modified Royal Decree 463/2020, of March 14, with the aim of strengthening the protection of public health and ensuring the functioning of essential public services.

The declaration of the state of alarm has allowed the application of immediate measures in the areas contemplated by Royal Decree 463/2020, of March 14, which have proven essential to contain the spread of the disease. It has also made it possible to establish, through the action of competent authorities delegated by the Government, a mobilization of all available resources to mitigate the effects of the pandemic.

However, in light of the available data and evaluation reports prepared by the competent authorities, it cannot be stated that the health emergency situation generated by COVID-19 will have been completely overcome within the timeframe initially provided for by Royal Decree 463/2020, of March 14. Therefore, it is deemed essential to extend the state of alarm declared in the aforementioned royal decree, as well as the validity of the measures contained therein, until 00:00 hours on April 12, 2020.

Organic Law 4/1981, of June 1, on states of alarm, exception, and siege, provides that the state of alarm requires, to be extended, the express authorization of the Congress of Deputies, which may establish the scope and conditions in effect during the extension.

By Agreement of the Council of Ministers of March 24, 2020, the Government requested authorization from the Congress of Deputies to extend the state of alarm declared by Royal Decree 463/2020, of March 14, in order to guarantee the effective management of the health emergency and contain the spread of the disease.

The Plenary of the Congress of Deputies, in its session on March 25, 2020, agreed to grant the required authorization, requesting the inclusion of a new additional provision in Royal Decree 463/2020, of March 14, which establishes the obligation of the Government to submit weekly information to the Congress regarding the degree of execution of the adopted measures and their effectiveness in achieving the proposed objectives.

By virtue thereof, upon the proposal of the First Vice President of the Government and Minister of the Presidency, Relations with the Cortes and Democratic Memory, the Minister of Health, the Minister of Defense, and the Ministers of the Interior and of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda, and after deliberation by the Council of Ministers in its meeting on March 27, 2020,

I HEREBY ORDER:

Article 1. Extension of the state of alarm. The state of alarm declared by Royal Decree 463/2020, of March 14, which declares the state of alarm for the management of the health crisis situation caused by COVID-19, is hereby extended.

Article 2. Duration of the extension. The extension established in this royal decree shall extend until 00:00 hours on April 12, 2020, and shall be subject to the same conditions established in Royal Decree 463/2020, of March 14, modified by Royal Decree 465/2020, of March 17.

First Final Provision. Modification of Royal Decree 463/2020, of March 14, which declares the state of alarm for the management of the health crisis situation caused by COVID-19. A new sixth additional provision is added to Royal Decree 463/2020, of March 14, which declares the state of alarm for the management of the health crisis situation caused by COVID-19, with the following content:

"Sixth Additional Provision. Information to the Congress of Deputies. In accordance with what is established in paragraph one of Article 8 of Organic Law 4/1981, of June 1, on states of alarm, exception, and siege, the Government shall submit weekly structured documentary information to the Congress of Deputies regarding the execution of the various measures adopted and an assessment of their effectiveness in containing the COVID-19 virus and mitigating its health, economic, and social impact."

Second Final Provision. Entry into force. This royal decree shall enter into force on the day of its publication in the "Official State Gazette".

Given in Madrid, on March 27, 2020.

FELIPE R.

The First Vice President of the Government and Minister of the Presidency, Relations with the Cortes and Democratic Memory, CARMEN CALVO POYATO

OFFICIAL STATE GAZETTE No. 86 Saturday, March 28, 2020 Sec. I. Page 27561 cve: BOE-A-2020-4155 Verifiable at https://www.boe.es https://www.boe.es OFFICIAL STATE GAZETTE D. L.: M-1/1958 - ISSN: 0212-033X