AEFYT welcomes essential service recognition

SPAIN: The Spanish refrigeration association AEFYT has welcomed the recognition of refrigeration as an essential service in yesterday’s Royal Decree to shut down non-essential businesses.

The decree establishes and regulates essential activities during the coronavirus pandemic between 30 March and 9 April. 

“We are satisfied with the inclusion of refrigeration companies as essential in these difficult times for society as a whole. As essential services, we will continue working to help overcome this crisis and we request, as a next step, a well-deserved public recognition for our technicians, who with their effort and knowledge contribute to the critical sectors working perfectly,” said AEFYT manager Manuel Lamúa.

The essential activities described in the decree include the installation and maintenance of refrigeration facilities; the manufacture and distribution of refrigeration equipment, components and material for non-domestic refrigeration; and execution or expansion of refrigeration facilities that were in execution when the Royal Decree-Law was promulgated and that are intended to provide service to the essential activities established by said legislation. 

These include activities that are part of the food industry production chain, those that provide healthcare, and computer and computing centres. 

“It is also essential that companies that supply material to the manufacturers of the aforementioned equipment can be included among those exempt from factory hibernation so as not to cause unemployment due to lack of raw materials,” says the AEFYT.

AEFYT also highlights the importance of air conditioning for well-being and its application for reasons of sanitation in delivery rooms, operating rooms, clinics and hospitals, funeral homes and funeral services. In addition, the AEFYT insists its use is essential for the operation of computer rooms, computing and computing centres.

“We are satisfied with the inclusion of refrigeration companies as essential in these difficult times for society as a whole. As essential services, we will continue working to help overcome this crisis and we request, as a next step, a well-deserved public recognition for our technicians, who with their effort and knowledge contribute to the critical sectors working perfectly,” said Manuel Lamúa.