ARCHIVED - Spanish government prepares stricter lockdown contingency plans



Draft legislation is being drawn up to cater for a continued escalation in the spread of Covid-19

The Spanish government is maintaining its outward optimism that the upward curve in the numbers of coronavirus cases and associated fatalities will soon begin to flatten out, but in the meantime the Ministry of the Interior is drawing up possible measures which could be implemented if it becomes necessary to enforce an even stricter lockdown than the one which has been in force for almost two weeks.

The latest plans include details of further limitations on the road transport allowed in Spain, and although the government clarifies that it is not currently contemplating implementing this measure it is clear that there is an awareness of the need to prepare for all possible scenarios. Should the expected flattening of the upward curve not begin to appear in the next few days, the tightening of the lockdown will be analysed more closely.

Possible measures being mooted within the government include restricting activity in the construction sector, which until now has continued at a slightly reduced level, on the grounds that it is extremely difficult to isolate workers from one another on building sites. Both the Unidas Podemos party, which is part of the current coalition government, and the Catalan ERC group support tighter restrictions, and the ERC spokesman Gabriel Rufián has stated that “either we bring the country to a halt or we won’t have a country”.

For the time being, the PSOE-led government is opting not to close down the economy any more than it already has done, but it has already been seen that during the current crisis policy can change in a matter of just hours. As José Luis Ábalos, the Minister for Development, stated this week, while it is important to combat the pandemic it is also important to maintain an economic base to support the healthcare system, but on the other hand this very valid viewpoint could become secondary if the situation in Spain continues to worsen.

Among the measures outlined in the draft Decree which is being prepared as a contingency measure is the possible closure or partial closure of major roads, always with the exception of transport which is necessary for healthcare, the forces of law and order and other emergency services. Also exempted would be transport related to the maintenance and repair of health and medical facilities, waste collection, the armed forces, food production and distribution, road repairs, fuel supply, the postal service and cleaning and hygiene products.

Again it is important to reiterate that the implementation of these measures is not reported to be imminent, but be warned: the matter is on the table ready for discussion if the coronavirus pandemic worsens in Spain in the next few days.

Image: Fernando Grande-Marlaska, the Minister of the Interior, chairs a meeting of the national Protección Civil Covid-19 Coordination Committee

Remember: LOCKDOWN MEANS LOCKDOWN. STAY AT HOME. STAY SAFE AND DO YOUR BIT TO REDUCE THE SPREAD OF CORONAVIRUS.

Follow Murcia Today on Facebook to keep up to date with all the latest updates locally for the Region of Murcia and the main information for the rest of Spain: https://www.facebook.com/MurciaToday/.

Our local area groups are as follows. These are designed to filter locally specific information and may be used by clubs, charities, any of the businesses who work with us to ensure information is available to residents in English and for those living in the specific areas. They are not buy and sell groups, do not accept any bickering or argumentative so and so's, are not "open for any old rubbish" pages, and are not trying to compete with your local comunity groups, they are specifically for sharing good, relevant local information and we hope you will use them for that during this difficult time.

Around Mazarrón news, events and local info: Click to join

Mazarrón, Fuente Álamo, Águilas, Lorca, Totana, Puerto Lumbreras, Camposol, Alhama de Murcia. Click to join (all within a half hour drive of each other)

Mar Menor news, events and local info. Click to join (this includes all the Mar Menor municipalities and Cartagena)

North-west Murcia: Bullas, Mula, Cehegin, Caravaca, Cieza, Calasparra, Jumilla, Moratalla info. Click to join

What to do if you are in the Region of Murcia and believe you may have contracted the virus

The regional government has set up a special helpline to supply information to members of the public (900 121212) if they suspect that they may have contracted the virus rather than going straight to hospital or to a medical centre.

Sensible precautions

The advice being issued to members of the public by medical authorities all over the world coincides on the following points:

- Wash hands frequently with either soap and water or a sanitiser gel

- Catch coughs and sneezes with disposable tissues – and throw the tissues away immediately after use before immediately washing your hands!

- If you don’t have a tissue, use your sleeve – and wash the item of clothing used at the next opportunity

- AVOID touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands

- AVOID close contact with people who are unwell

- Don´t panic!