Law No. 4/2020 of 23 March declaring States of Alarm and Emergency.

This Law establishes that the Government can declare alarm status in case of earthquakes, floods or torrential rains, landslides, avalanches, urban or forest fires, accidents of great magnitude, epidemics, pandemics or health crises, and other natural disasters, if necessary. The Law establishes measures to be taken during the alarm state which may limit the exercise of the rights recognized in articles 21 and 27 of the Constitution, by adopting specific measures on transport and circulation, including the rationing of the consumption of essential articles or services. It is structured in three Chapters. Chapter one regulates the state of alarm, the form of the statement and its effects. Chapter two is specific to the state of emergency, regulates the form of the declaration, and develops in detail the various measures that can be taken. Chapter three sets out the common rules to both cases, including: the normal functioning of the constitutional powers; the change of responsibility of the public authorities and the system. The alarm status is declared for a period of 15 days and can be extended only with the express authorization of the General Council.