Spain goes under lockdown to fight coronavirus

MADRID (Reuters) - Spain put its 47 million inhabitants under partial lockdown yesterday as part of a 15-day state of emergency to combat the coronavirus epidemic in Europe’s second worst-affected country by the disease after Italy.

Effective immediately, all Spaniards must stay home except to buy food, medicines, go to work or to the hospital or for emergencies.

Bars, restaurants, and shops selling anything but food and other staples must shut down. All leisure and sports activities also have to close, including cinemas, theatres, swimming pools or football grounds.

“We will (eventually) return to the routine of our jobs and again visit our friends and loved ones,” Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said in a nationally televised address.

“Until that time comes, let’s not waste energies that are essential now. Let’s not lose our way,” he said, urging all to stay home.

Shortly after the announcement, the government said Sanchez’s wife, Begona Gomez, had tested positive for coronavirus.

Spain had 193 coronavirus deaths and 6,250 cases so far, public broadcaster

TVE said, well up from 120 deaths reported on Friday.

Schools are shut across Spain and a first package of economic steps was announced on Thursday.

The government had been expected to announce further measures yesterday to mitigate the economic and social impacts of the crisis, with aid for companies and workers. But after a seven-hour cabinet meeting, ministers could not agree and Sanchez said the measures would wait until the next meeting.

In the steps announced yesterday, domestic transport will be curtailed from Monday, with airline, train and boat operators ordered to cut services by at least half and to ensure a maximum possible distance between passengers on all means of transport.

City buses and metro will still fully work and international flights are not affected.

Employers must let staff work remotely and the government said people should chose that option whenever possible. Most judicial proceedings are suspended.

Sanchez said the measures would have a major impact on citizens and businesses, but promised the government would work to mitigate it.