Spain starts to see light at the end of the tunnel
Spain has world's second best recovery figure
DESPITE a minor increase in daily deaths and new cases yesterday (Thursday), the spread of coronavirus in Spain is continuing to slow down.
Yesterday the number of new deaths increased to 551 (523 on Tuesday) and the number of new cases to 5,183.
Despite the rise, both figures represent an increase of less than 3% of the total figures far from the 20% rises in the peak days at the end of March.
At the time of going to press yesterday, there were 182,186 diagnosed cases of Covid-19 in Spain, 19,130 had died as a result and 74,797 have recovered the second largest number in the world only behind China (around 78,000).
Heavy industry and construction workers returned to work on Monday after a twoweek hiatus in economic activity, but the government is keeping most Spaniards under confinement for the fifth week in a row.
Retail stores and services are still required to stay closed, and the government is strongly encouraging office workers to keep working from home.
The prohibition on people leaving home for anything other than groceries and medicine will remain until April 26 at least under the state of emergency.
Analysts expect the government to further extend the state of alarm to May 11 - however certain restrictions could be lifted as the economy gradually proceeds towards a 'new normality'.
If the extension is to take place, PM Pedro Sánchez will announce it this weekend as it would have to be approved in parliament next Wednesday (April 22).
Some health experts and regional politicians argue that it is premature to ease any part of the lockdown order.
Police handed out face masks to the few commuters taking public transportation to work on Monday and Tuesday.
As Covid-19 throws millions out of work and devastates economies worldwide, governments are struggling with the delicate balance between keeping people safe from a highly contagious disease and making sure they can still make a living or have enough to eat.
Pedro Sánchez said his government must balance its response to the virus crisis that 'threatens to destroy lives and at the same time destroy the economic and social fabric of our country'.
Seeking to restart manufacturing, the government is allowing workers to return to some factory and construction jobs.
But health minister Salvador Illa said the government will move carefully on allowing others to end their self-isolation.
He said officials will proceed with 'the utmost caution and prudence - and always based on scientific evidence'.
Call for cross-party pacts
The PM has called for all parties to join talks to reach a wide agreement on national recovery and gradual re-opeing of the economy following the lockdown.
However the main opposition party, the PP is reluctant to join as its leader, Pablo Casado accuses the PM of seeking a 'make-over'. Far right-wing party Vox has openly stated they will not take part in the negotiations. However liberal party Ciudadanos and nationalist parties have confirmed they will be taking part.
PM Sánchez has called the talks Pactos de la Moncloa (Moncloa pacts) - a reference to when all Spanish parties met at the PM's official residence in 1977 to agree on the transition to democracy following the death of General Franco.