The Spanish government has urged authorities in Madrid to tighten coronavirus restrictions across the city

he Spanish government has urged authorities in Madrid to tighten coronavirus restrictions across the city, warning of a “serious risk” to residents if they do not.

Madrid extended restrictions in Covid-19 hotspots on Friday but rejected calls for a city-wide lockdown.

On Saturday Spain’s Health Minister Salvador Illa said current restrictions don’t go far enough.

He said it was “time to act with determination” to control the pandemic.

Spain’s regions are in charge of healthcare and so the central government does not have the power to impose the restrictions it prefers.

Madrid is again at the epicentre of Spain’s coronavirus outbreak, as it was during the first peak earlier this year.

The Madrid region accounts for about a third of all Spain’s cases and deaths.

In recent weeks, coronavirus cases have been rising sharply, putting pressure on the health system as hospital admissions increase.