Masks will be compulsory on public transport here in Spain from tomorrow

Masks will be compulsory on public transport here in Spain from tomorrow as the country moves to gradually relax its tough lockdown.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said the government would distribute 6m masks, mainly at transport locations and give another 7m to local authorities.

Adults were able to exercise outdoors yesterday for the first time in seven weeks.
Spain’s official death toll is 24,824, but the rate of fatalities has dropped.

Mr Sanchez said Spain was now reaping the rewards of the sacrifices made during the lockdown.

He also said his government would approve a €16bn fund to help regional authorities deal with the economic damage inflicted by the coronavirus pandemic.
Across the country residents voiced relief to be finally exercising outdoors.

Spaniards made the most of it, taking to the streets in droves in many areas, the large numbers made it look almost like a normal Saturday morning, yet social distancing was observed for the most part and few cars were on the roads.

Some, however, remain reluctant to venture out because they are scared of getting infected.
Sanchez said the government will seek a new 2-week extension of its lockdown.

On Wednesday it will request parliament back extending the state of emergency, which currently runs through to this Saturday the 9th of May.

Sánchez warned ”there is no Plan B” in reference to the extension of the state of alarm.

“There is no alternative,” he said, putting pressure on the political opposition to support a new extension, pointing out that the state of alarm allows for the government to provide financial support to those who need it, and adopt measures such as deferrals of rent payments and the suspension of employment under the procedure known as ERTE.
The Prime Minister also expects La Liga to resume “soon” behind closed doors after the government gave permission for individual training sessions to restart tomorrow.

Training sessions at clubs will then be allowed in Phase 1, which gets under way in most areas on May 11, although there will remain added measures in place to avoid a second peak of the virus.