Spain adopts new measures as coronavirus cases surge

OVIEDO, Spain

With over 1,600 confirmed cases and 35 deaths as of Tuesday afternoon, the Spanish government announced new measures aimed at stifling the rapid spread of new coronavirus.

On Tuesday, the government announced it would cancel all direct flights to and from Italy beginning at midnight local time (2300GMT). The measure will remain in effect for at least two weeks.

Madrid, parts of the Basque Country and the wine-producing region of La Rioja have become hot-spots for viral reproduction. Starting Wednesday, all public schools and universities will shut their doors in those regions, where public gatherings of over 1,000 people will be also forbidden.

Just two days ago, around 375,000 people gathered in Madrid for the International Women’s Day protest.

The spread of COVID-19 in Spain remains on an almost identical trajectory to the virus in Italy, but is around 10 days behind.

Supermarkets in Madrid have seen their shelves empty out as panicked citizens prepare for a lockdown. The Spanish Grocers Association said chains have ample supply to deal with the crisis.

Javier Ortega Smith, a leader of the far-right party Vox, also tested positive for coronavirus. As a consequence, the entire party announced its members would be working from home.

On Tuesday, it was also announced that all sports in Spain would be played behind closed doors and that the Spanish Parliament would shut down for one week.

In a press conference on Tuesday, Spain’s Health Minister Salvador Illa urged everyone in the country to avoid all non-essential travel and to work from home if possible.

At the same press conference, Maria Jesus Montero, the government spokesperson, also announced that anyone placed in quarantine will be paid as if they had suffered an accident at work.

Montero said all measures the country were taking have been recommended by experts and that the government is doing everything necessary without being alarmist.

“We have one of the best health systems in the world,” she added.

Meanwhile, the government’s political opponents slammed the left-wing coalition for not doing enough, and proposed further measures to improve the country's safety and economic situation.

The global death toll from the coronavirus is now over 4,000, with nearly 114,000 confirmed cases, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

The virus originated in China but has reached over 100 countries, with the WHO saying on Monday that the “threat of a pandemic has become very real”.

As part of efforts to contain the outbreak, some governments closed borders and suspended land and air travel with the worst-hit countries.