October 26, 2020
2 mins read

Covid-19: Spanish PM declares state of alarm

A state of alarm grants the government special powers to limit the movement of citizens…reports Asian Lite News

审核 BELGIUM-BRUSSELS-EU-SUMMIT Pedro Sanchez, Prime Minister of Spain, attends a national press conference at the end of the EU autumn summit at the EU headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, Oct. 18, 2019. (Photo by Riccardo Pareggiani/Xinhua)

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Sunday announced a state of alarm in an attempt to restrict the spread of coronavirus, days after Spain became the first European Union state to pass the grim one-million-case mark.

A state of alarm grants the government special powers to limit the movement of citizens.

The state of alarm, effective from Sunday, has an original duration of 15 days. But the Prime Minister said his government aims to keep it in effect until May 9, 2021 — a move needs the support of a majority in Spain’s 350-seat Congress, Xinhua reported.

The state of alarm was approved in an emergency cabinet meeting on Sunday morning after 11 out of Spain’s 17 Autonomous Communities had requested it. It will limit movements from 11 p.m. until 6 a.m. for all regions of Spain except the Canary Islands.

“This is a restriction of night-time movement and has nothing to do with a curfew. According to experts, restrictions on mobility and a reduction in social relations are vital to contain the virus,” said Sanchez in his televised speech, adding that social meetings will be limited to six in the entire country.

“All of Europe is taking measures to limit mobility,” said Sanchez, adding that the Autonomous Communities will also have discretion to stop people entering or leaving their territory — for example, if a neighboring region is badly affected by the coronavirus.

The Health Ministry has reported over 1 million cases since the start of the pandemic. Sanchez commented that the coronavirus incidence in Spain has risen to 362 cases per 100,000 inhabitants and that one aim of re-imposing the State of Alarm is to bring this level down to just 25 cases.

The new State of Alarm will not, however, impose a strict lockdown as the one introduced on March 14, and Spain’s borders will also remain open.

A State of Alarm is the first of three emergency levels a Spanish government can apply under exceptional circumstances, with the others being “A State of Exception” and “Martial Law.”

Also read:Spain mulls curfews to curb Covid-19 flare ups

Previous Story

Tanya Shares ‘A Suitable Boy’ Audition Experience

Next Story

Asian Lite Daily Digital – October 26, 2020 – China to Overhaul Strategy

Latest from -Top News

India Thwarts Pak Attacks, Hits Lahore Air Defence

India launches pre-dawn precision strikes on Pakistani air defence systems, with key radar installation in Lahore successfully neutralized, signalling a sharp escalation in regional military tensions…reports Asian Lite News The drones and

Perdue sworn in as US envoy to China 

David Perdue, a ‘hawkish’ figure in US politics, served as a Senator from 2015 to 2021, where he gained a reputation for his firm stance on China.  David Perdue, the former US

Mock drills held nationwide 

The nationwide mock drills are part of the government’s broader strategy to enhance civil defence capabilities and coinciding with the Pahalgam attack and India’s retaliatory action to it.   India conducted large-scale

India’s deepest strikes since 1971 

By extending its strike capabilities deep into Pakistan’s heartland, India has redrawn the contours of conventional deterrence in the subcontinent. This could embolden future Indian responses to cross-border terror attacks, but it
Go toTop