ULTREIA

I t is important to act carefully. We need to make sure that we can go back to The Way safely, always thinking about all the people we are going to spend the time with or bump into: *Villagers from villages you will pass by *Other pilgrims *Lodging places, hoteliers… We do not know the conditions in which we will be able to go back to The Way yet. We hope to be travelling to other provinces from a specific date, if some conditions are met. It is just a forecasting. It is not a rat race. We do not know anything about the opening of international borders yet. To this day, the vast majority of people, both national and foreigners, do not know if they are carriers of the virus and can transmit it to other person and vice versa. We are living a very complicated situation and it is not easy to deal with it. We all must be prudent and wait for the safest conditions to walk again, obeying the corresponding laws. We must bear in mind others, so they can help us as well if we need so, as it has always happened on The Way. We must do it in such a way that our carelessness can’t be the reason to blame if we feel some symptoms. If we get infected, it would be detrimental to other pilgrims and would give a bad opinion to the whole Way. Authorities are giving some recommendations to help us go back to our normal” life. We must follow their advice. If at some point you can stay at hostels, either state or private ones, hotels, inns, camping sites, etc. we must know in advance the conditions of the place. If you do not meet the conditions, you may not be allowed to stay. If you cannot stay at an enabled and regulated establishment, do not look for other alternatives; you may jeopardize other people’s health and yours. If the number of infected people increases due to people’s carelessness, the authorities will stop any further step to “normality” and, as a consequence, we will not be allowed to go back to The Way. The Spanish authorities have established a number of measures and steps based on “phases” to allow the free movement of the citizens. In order to move to the next phase a number of requirements must be met. First the Spanish Government will assess them and then they will authorize the next step or Iphase.

1. Keep social distance, not only along The Way but also in villages or shelters. 2. Wear a mask, either a surgical one or a FFP2 mask with no valve. Use the mask inside your accommodation, especially in the communal areas. 3. Wear gloves made of latex or nitrile if you are in contact with other pilgrims, villagers or if you make use of any of the services throughout The Way and always keep social distance. 4. It is necessary to be very cautious with your hygiene. Make frequent use of soap and hydroalcoholic solution/hand sanitizer after touching virus- transmitting surfaces especially if you touch those which have been proved to be risky like metallic or plastic surfaces in low temperatures. Avoid touching your face with your hands. 5. Carry your own sleeping bag if at your accommodation there are no disposable items. 6. Carry enough number of masks and gloves until you get to the next village with a chemist’s. 7. Avoid sharing personal ítems. 8. Individual responsibility must prevent irresponsible actions like spitting, coughing recklessly (use a tissue), throwing butts on the ground or throwing disposable gloves and masks on the ground (use bins instead). Environmental damage is also a risk for all of us. 9. Be cautious with the cleaning of fountains and seating areas. Drink the water without touching anything, avoiding the contact with the faucet, pipe, tube or wherever the water is running out.