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Parliament have voted to extend the state of alarm here for another 15 days, maintaining the emergency powers for the government to deal with the ongoing coronavirus crisis. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, of the Socialist PSOE Party, first implemented the measure on March 14. Sánchez’s request for an additional period until May 24 was met with growing objections from the opposition, and the prime minister, who heads a minority government […]

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez will ask Spain’s parliament, to vote in favour of a two-week extension to the state of alarm today. It has been in place since March 14, when confinement measures were first imposed. Since then, the extraordinary measure has been extended three times, and is currently set to come to an end this Saturday May 9. Sánchez cannot extend the state of alarm without MP's approval, the […]

Hairdressers, ironmongers and florists opened for business with restrictions yesterday as Spain began the four-phase plan to reopen by end-June, while the 24-hour death tally from the coronavirus pandemic stayed under 200 for the second day in a row. Red Cross workers handed out masks at Madrid’s metro stations as wearing face protection on pubic transport became mandatory. Passengers crossing from the holiday islands of Ibiza to Formentera were tested […]

Several of Spain’s regional premiers have told Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez that they oppose another extension of the state of alarm which gives central government extra powers to deal with the coronavirus crisis. The state of alarm must be approved by parliament every two weeks, and the current period is set to end this Saturday May 9. Sánchez, who heads a minority coalition government with junior partner Unidas Podemos, will […]

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 […]

As people prepared to emerge from their homes for walks after seven weeks of strict lockdown Spain closed a giant temporary hospital in Madrid yesterday that had become a symbol of its fight against the coronavirus pandemic. The developments showed that Spain was pulling out of the crisis that has now claimed the lives of 24,824 people. The death toll rose by 281 on Friday, a small rise from the […]

Spain’s government has announced a new timetable clearly outlining who can go out and when from tomorrow as the country begins to relax lockdown restrictions. Health Minister Salvador Illa said that the fixed timetable will help to avoid overcrowding and the risk of Covid-19 contagion. Individuals wanting to do short activities like running, cycling or going for a walk can do so, either between 6 and 10 in the morning, […]

During a question-and-answer session in the Spanish parliament yesterday, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez found little support from other parties, which has increased doubts as to whether MPs will support the government’s request for another extension to the state of alarm, which must be renewed every two weeks. Last week, he managed to secure approval for a third extension with votes against from far-right Vox, Together for Cataloniathe CUP and the […]