MADRID is set to impose strict new measures as coronavirus cases continue to surge in the nation, prompting fears of a second wave of the deadly virus.
Spain is currently fighting off a second wave of the deadly coronavirus, with multiple regions imposing strict new rules as well as stay at home measures. On Tuesday, Madrid’s regional chief made face masks compulsory everywhere at all times. Other measures include bars having to close at 1am, and gatherings at outdoor restaurant terraces will now be capped at 10 people, regional leader Isabel Diaz Ayuso said on Tuesday.
The region recommends private gatherings at home remain below 10 people – but that is not a legal obligation.
Additionally, the central government has been asked to increase checks at Madrid’s airport.
Catalonia, with its capital Barcelona, has also seen a recent spike in infections since lockdown was eased at the end of June.
The whole region has been warned it could face another total lockdown if cases continue to surge.
The President of the Government of Catalonia, Quim Torra, described the next 10 days as “the most important of the summer”, saying the situation was “critical”.
Catalonia’s 7.5 million citizens have been advised to remain inside their homes and are allowed to leave only for essentials like food and chemist runs.
The move comes after UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson risked a diplomatic storm after warning against all but essential travel to Spain.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) updated its advice on Monday against all but essential travel to include Spain’s Balearic and Canary Islands, having already issued the same advice for the mainland.
Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez described the latest move as an “error”.
He noted the upsurge in coronavirus cases is focused in two regions, Catalonia and Aragon, adding: “In most of Spain, the incidence is very much inferior to even the numbers registered in the United Kingdom.”
Madrid had been urging the UK to exclude the Canaries and Balearics – which include popular tourist resorts on Ibiza, Majorca and Menorca – from its quarantine requirements.
Local government minister Simon Clarke told BBC Breakfast: “We respectfully disagree with the Spanish government’s position on this.
“We obviously continue to work closely with them and we wish them every success in managing this outbreak, but we’ve seen a very sharp increase in cases in Spain.
“A 75 percent increase in cases reported between the middle of last week and the end of last week. That’s why we took the action that we have.
“Clearly, you do have to make decisions on a country-wide basis. There is going to be internal transfer within Spain and it’s important that we do our utmost to protect the public.”
Prime Minister Mr Johnson said there were signs of a second wave of coronavirus in Europe as he defended the Government’s decision to impose quarantine restrictions on Spain.
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“What we have to do is take swift and decisive action where we think that the risks are starting to bubble up again,” he said.
“Let’s be absolutely clear about what’s happening in Europe, amongst some of our European friends, I’m afraid you are starting to see in some places the signs of a second wave of the pandemic.”
Other countries across Europe have also started to implement restrictions on travelling to certain regions in Spain following a rise in COVID-19 cases.
Germany’s foreign ministry on Tuesday advised holidaymakers not to travel to several Spanish regions including Catalonia.
“We currently advise against unnecessary tourist trips to the autonomous communities of Aragon, Catalonia and Navarre due to high infection numbers and local lockdowns,” the ministry said on its website.
Catalonia’s government said on Tuesday that it regretted the German foreign ministry’s advisory.
Catalonia’s foreign affairs chief Bernat Sole said in a statement: ”We do not get into evaluating the decisions by other countries but we obviously don’t share it.
“The Catalan government is responsible … and we are working to protect the life and health of people that live here or are visiting us.”
Concerns over the transmission of coronavirus in Spain were raised after the nation confirmed over 6,000 cases over the weekend.
Spain was initially one of the worst-hit countries in Europe from coronavirus, and since the start of the pandemic has recorded 325,863 cases, and 28,434 deaths.
From Spain coronavirus panic: Madrid says face masks to be worn EVERYWHERE as cases surge