Spain: Authorities reintroduce lockdown in Segrià municipality (Catalonia region), including Lleida, July 4 /update 33

Event

Authorities reimposed a lockdown in Segrià municipality (Catolonia region), including the city of Lleida, due to a rise in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in the area on Saturday, July 4. The measure will affect around 200,000 residents of the municipality. Movement in and out of the area is prohibited, with the exception of travel for work or due to force majeure. Gatherings of more than 10 people, whether private or public, are also forbidden. The Minister of the Interior, Miquel Buch, announced the deployment of security forces to the area. The decision comes after the Ministry of Health reported that 4,030 COVID-19 cases had been detected in the area as of Friday, July 3.

As of July 4, there have been 250,545 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country, with 28,385 associated fatalities. Further international spread of the virus is expected in 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.