14 Mar, 2020 @ 23:18
2 mins read

EXPLAINED: All you need to know about Spain’s coronavirus lockdown – inc. freedom of movement, fines and military intervention

Screenshot 2020 03 14 At 2 28 14 Pm
WE CANNOT BACK DOWN: Pedro Sanchez says lockdown likely to be extended

Screenshot 2020 03 14 At 2 28 14 Pm

SPAIN will be on official lockdown from Monday at 8am and for at least 15 days. 

That’s the decision made by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez after declaring a ‘state of alarm’ yesterday.

The coalition government has opted for the most drastic measures and will follow in the footsteps of Italy to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a draft copy of the decree seen by El Mundo.

Under the lockdown, citizens and residents may not leave their homes unless they need to buy medicines, food, attend health centres, care for dependents or go to the bank.

The decree states that you can only be on public roads in certain scenarios: to buy food, pharmaceuticals and basic necessities, to attend health centres, travel to work, to return home, assist the elderly, minors or other vulnerable people, go to the bank or any other justifiable necessity.

Private vehicles will be allowed to travel on public roads to refuel at petrol stations but all commercial establishments will be closed, as will cultural, sports and leisure centres.

Public transport services via road, rail or air will drop by 50%, while religious ceremonies will be allowed to continue as long as crowds are avoided and people keep at least one metre apart.

The state of alarm, which has only been issued once before back in 2010 (during the air traffic control crisis) will also grant four ministers extra special powers.

Defense Minister Margarita Robles, Interior Minister Fernando Grande Marlaska, Transport Minister Jose Luis Abalos and Health Minister Salvador Illa will be able to sign off on agreements or plans while avoiding all administrative procedure.

Margarita Robles Fernández
Margarita Robles Fernández has been given extra powers

Meanwhile, a sanctions regime is also now operational for those who defy the new decree, although no details have been revealed on how hefty the fines or punishments could be.

“The measures contained in this royal decree,” it is alleged in the draft, “are essential to deal with the situation and are proportionate to its extreme gravity.”

The text also contemplates the mobilisation of all the armed forces in efforts to contain the coronavirus.

The armies will be under the direct control of Grande-Marlaska, who becomes the new strong man of the Government with around 250,000 officials under his command.

Their main objective, in addition to ensuring compliance with movement restrictions, will be to maintain the supply of basic necessities such as food and medicine.

Elsewhere, the decree also allows for the Government to take over private enterprises if and when is necessary.

This is especially aimed at the medical industry, but means the health minister may ‘intervene and temporarily occupy industries, factories, workshops, farms or premises of any nature, including health centres, services and privately-owned establishments, including the pharmaceutical industry… and carry out temporary ownership of all kinds of goods.’

Spain’s cases has almost surpassed 6,000.

Businesses

All businesses will be closed for 15 days however there are several exceptions.

Those are ones which provide essential services, meaning supermarkets, petrol stations, pharmacies and medical clinics will remain open.

Added to the list of exceptions are hairdressers, launderettes, dry cleaners and opticians.

Laurence Dollimore

Laurence Dollimore is a Spanish-speaking, NCTJ-trained journalist with almost a decade’s worth of experience.
The London native has a BA in International Relations from the University of Leeds and and an MA in the same subject from Queen Mary University London.
He earned his gold star diploma in multimedia journalism at the prestigious News Associates in London in 2016, before immediately joining the Olive Press at their offices on the Costa del Sol.
After a five-year stint, Laurence returned to the UK to work as a senior reporter at the Mail Online, where he remained for two years before coming back to the Olive Press as Digital Editor in 2023.
He continues to work for the biggest newspapers in the UK, who hire him to investigate and report on stories in Spain.
These include the Daily Mail, Telegraph, Mail Online, Mail on Sunday and The Sun and Sun Online.
He has broken world exclusives on everything from the Madeleine McCann case to the anti-tourism movement in Tenerife.

GOT A STORY? Contact newsdesk@theolivepress.es or call +34 951 273 575 Twitter: @olivepress

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