Spain: Nationwide lockdown measures extended to May 9 /update 16

Event

Spain's congress voted on Wednesday, April 22, to extend current coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown measures until at least Saturday, May 9. However, health officials also announced that children under the age of 14 will be able to take short walks from their homes under supervision from Sunday, April 26. Children will be allowed outside between the hours of 08:00 and 22:00 (local time) for up to one hour a day and must be accompanied by an adult they live with.

Under the current restrictions, schools, bars, restaurants, and most shops remain closed. All social gatherings continue to be prohibited, and police officers have been deployed to enforce the orders. Residents are being ordered to restrict all movement except for going to work for essential employees, hospitals or health centers, financial institutions, and shopping for groceries, pharmaceuticals, and other primary necessities. Non-essential employees have been instructed to stay home as a precautionary measure.

Only Spanish citizens and residents are allowed to enter the country until at least Friday, May 15. Individuals exempt for the border restrictions include health workers and those transiting Spain to their country of residence in the EU/Schengen area. Land borders remain open for individuals who wish to leave the country.

As of April 23, 208,389 cases of COVID-19 and 21,717 associated fatalities have been confirmed in the country. Further international spread of the virus is expected over the near term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (China). Human-to-human and patient-to-medical staff transmission of the virus have been confirmed. Many of the associated fatalities have been due to pneumonia caused by the virus.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a pandemic.

Pneumonia symptoms include dry cough, chest pain, fever, and labored breathing. Pneumonia can be contagious and can be transmitted from human to human. The influenza virus, or the flu, is a common cause of viral pneumonia.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the general risk of COVID-19 transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by using alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease.