The coronavirus pandemic ("COVID-19") has become a global health emergency. Its rapid spread has required the National Government to declare a state of alert.

Royal Decree 463/2020 of 14 March, which declares a state of alarm for the management of the health crisis caused by COVID-19 ("RD 463/2020"), places us in an inhospitable scenario, unknown to the Public Administrations and, above all, to the citizens. The measures adopted, which were in force at least until 11 April, are unprecedented and have generated uncertainty among economic agents dealing with the public sector. In this Note we will try to analyse the most relevant effects of the declaration of the state of alarm from an administrative point of view, although it will be our courts that, if necessary, will have the last word. 

This publication aims to provide a practical, immediate but reflexive view of the new features introduced in terms of time limits, public contracts and liability of assets by RD 463/2020; by Royal Decree Law 7/2020 of 12 March, adopting urgent measures to respond to the economic impact of COVID-19 (the "RDL 7/2020"); and by Royal Decree Law 8/2020 of 17 March, on extraordinary urgent measures to address the economic and social impact of COVID-19 (the "RDL 8/2020").

This publication includes information regarding the following matters:

Suspension of deadlines

  Suspension of procedural deadlines

  Suspension of administrative deadlines

  Deadline calculation

Non-contractual liability of the State

Public procurement: Tender and award stage

  General rule: suspension

  Special rules: continuation of certain contracts

  Emergency processing

Contractual liability: contract enforcement

  General aspects

  Service and supply contracts for successive provision

  Non-successive provision and supply contracts

  Contracts for works that have not ended

  Concession contracts for works and services

  Contract modification

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We hope the information is useful and of interest. At Andersen Tax & Legal we have created a multidisciplinary team to deal with all the questions that may arise on this aspect or in relation to the COVID-19.

For more information please contact:

José Vicente Morote | Partner in the area of Public and Regulatory Law

jvicente.morote@andersentaxlegal.es

Carlos Mínguez | Partner in the area of Public and Regulatory Law

carlos.minguez@andersentaxlegal.es

Carlos Morales | Director in the area of Public and Regulatory Law

carlos.morales@andersentaxlegal.es