The Spanish Council of Ministers decreed this Sunday a state of alarm for the country for the next fifteen days, although the intention is for it to be extended until May, for which it will require the approval of the Congress of Deputies.
During an appearance from La Moncloa Palace, President Pedro Sánchez indicated that this state of alarm has specific characteristics that differentiate it from the one approved in mid-March, which gave the central government primary authority.
Now, the delegated authorities will be the regional governments, which will have the assistance of the Interterritorial Council of the National Health System, made up of the autonomous communities and the central government.
From 11:00 p.m. at night until 6:00 a.m., movement would only be allowed for justified reasons, such as going to work or buying medicine. Communities may extend these time slots if necessary. In addition, they may apply lockdowns by zones within their territories and limit entry or exit from them. They may also restrict gatherings in public or private spaces to six people, unless they are cohabitants.
Next Tuesday, the Council of Ministers will debate and, if appropriate, approve the government's proposal for the state of alarm to be extended until May 9. If this idea is approved, it will have to be ratified by Congress, as stipulated by current legislation.
"I formally ask all parliamentary groups that this exceptional measure receive overwhelming parliamentary support this coming week. Citizens demand it to provide a horizon of tranquility, peace, and certainty for their daily lives; economic actors also need it to provide a horizon of predictability and guarantees of work for companies and also for jobs; regional governments and the Ministry of Health require it to work with the necessary tools for as long as it takes, and if the pandemic situation allows it, the government of Spain—have no doubt—will lift the state of alarm without delay: not a day more, not a day less," Sánchez pointed out.
The decision adopted this Sunday is in response to the request of ten autonomous communities and the autonomous city of Melilla. It has the favorable opinion of the Council of State and the General State Attorney's Office.
Hemos decretado, en #CMin, el estado de alarma en toda España. Atendemos así a la demanda mayoritaria de las CC.AA. Entrará en vigor esta misma tarde y solicitaremos al Congreso su extensión por 6 meses, el tiempo necesario para superar la etapa más dañina de la pandemia. pic.twitter.com/t7GWxUvdlo
— Pedro Sánchez (@sanchezcastejon) October 25, 2020
Last Friday, Sánchez assured that the coronavirus situation in the Iberian country "is serious." He stated that the real number of infections in Spain exceeds three million people, according to estimates, although the official figure is over one million 26 thousand infections and 34,500 deaths.
He considered that the reason for fewer deaths than during the first wave is that more tests are being carried out now than then, reaching 800,000 weekly tests by early October. This also guarantees the detection of 70% of cases.
Given this situation, it is obligatory to reduce mobility and limit contact between people as much as possible, since the highest number of infections occurs in social gatherings, family environments, workplaces, and nightlife.
He reported that the Interterritorial Council of the National Health System agreed to establish an epidemiological alert traffic light based on two indicators.
On the one hand, the number of infections per 100,000 people will be taken into account: fewer than 25 cases will be considered low risk; more than 25, medium risk; more than 150, high risk; and if more than 250 cases are exceeded, it will be presumed extreme risk. The goal is to reach a low-risk situation.
According to data released by the Ministry of Health, Spain currently has an accumulated incidence of 348 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.
The occupancy rate of hospital services and intensive care unit beds will also be reviewed. It will be considered very high risk if the number of beds occupied by Covid-19 patients exceeds 15% in overall hospitalization and 25% in the case of Intensive Care Units.
The measures that the autonomous communities will adopt can range from reducing capacity by 75% at the low alert level, limiting gatherings to 6 people at the medium level, to suspending non-essential activities at the high alert level. At the fourth level, exceptional measures will be taken that may require the establishment of a state of alarm.
Sánchez emphasized that "very tough months" are ahead, but that "a new home confinement" must be "avoided at all costs," like the one experienced during the spring.
He asserted that if governments and society work together, the curve of infections can be flattened again, and therefore he called for unity among citizens and political forces.
By Manuel de Santiago Freda / Spain Correspondent
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