CHILDREN in Spain were today allowed outside for the first time in six weeks as the country's daily coronavirus death toll dropped below 300.

The country has been one of the hardest-hit by the pandemic in Europe and imposed a nationwide lockdown on March 14.

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5 Children in Spain are being allowed outside for the first time in six weeks Credit: AFP or licensors

5 Parents seen outside with their children in Seville Credit: Getty Images - Getty

Under new guidelines, children under 14 will be allowed outside for one hour per day between 9am and 9pm.

They must be supervised, stay within one kilometre of their home, and continue to observe social distancing rules.

Scientists around the world continue work to understand Covid-19, but observations up to now suggest that it has a minimal impact on the young.

Each adult will be permitted to accompany up to three children.

Schools across the country remain closed for the time being.

The announcement comes after Spain's daily death toll from the virus fell to 288, its lowest level since March 21, following a peak on April 2 of 961.

New daily cases have also fallen to 3,995, down from around 8,000 at the start of this month.

Announcing the measures, prime minister Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said: "If we act with prudence, this first relief measure will be followed by another one a week later."

He said that if the situation continues to improve until May 2, adults will be allowed out for daily walks or exercise.

“I would like to convey to you the importance of being cautious," he added.

"This is not a race to see who is the first to reopen a shopping mall or a small business establishment.”

'IT'S BEEN EMOTIONAL'

A ministry document also recommended that Spain's regions double their intensive care capacity to cope with possible increases in COVID-19 cases as lockdown measures are eased.

Families emerging from their homes responded positively to the new guidelines.

Lucia Ibanez, 9, out for a walk with her mother in Madrid, said she had missed the streets and the park and "feeling the air on your face" during lockdown.

"I never thought I would miss school but I really miss it," she said.

Carla Marquez, out with her daughter near Las Canteras beach in Gran Canaria, said: "It was totally necessary after 42 days.

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"It has been super emotional. We have to value the small things in life which apparently we didn't before".

Spain has seen a total of 220,000 coronavirus cases and more than 23,000 deaths since the start of the pandemic.

5 Children in Spain must continue to observe social distancing Credit: AFP or licensors

5 A child rides his bike in Barcelona Credit: Alamy Live News