Special Information Briefing COVID-19 (No.7): Main questions on the practical application of the public procurement measures approved as a consequence of COVID-19 in Royal Decree-Law 8/2020 of 17 March

On 30 January 2020, the World Health Organisation (“WHO”), following the advice of the Emergency Committee established under the International Health Regulations (2005), declared the current outbreak of COVID-19 to be a public health emergency of international concern. Furthermore, on 11 March 20201, the WHO stated that “COVID-19 could be considered a pandemic”.

As a consequence of this emergency situation caused by COVID-19, the Council of Ministers has approved a series of measures aimed at limiting the economic, social, labour and public health impacts derived from the spread of this disease. The Social Agents have also proposed a series of measures that will enable companies to implement flexible working solutions.

In this context, on 12 March 2020, the Council of Ministers passed, in an extraordinary session, Royal Decree Law 7/2020 of 12 March, by means of which urgent measures were introduced in order to mitigate the economic impact of COVID-19. The agreed measures can be divided into four groups:

• Support to the business sector.
• Reinforcing the health system.
• Efficient management of the Public Administrations.
• Measures to support families.

The entire content of the Information Briefing can be found in the PDF.