Spain imposes second local lockdown

World Monday 06/July/2020 16:36 PM
By: Times News Service
Spain imposes second local lockdown

The northwestern Spanish region of Galicia has imposed fresh restrictions on about 70,000 people following a new COVID-19 outbreak.

The decision comes a day after Catalonia introduced a local lockdown for 200,000 people west of the regional capital Barcelona to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

People living in A Marina along Spain's northern coast in the region of Lugo will not be able to leave the area from midnight on Sunday until Friday, two days before regional elections on July 12.

The regional government said people will be allowed to move around but only those who need to travel for work will be allowed to leave or enter the area.

Regional Health minister Jesus Vazquez Almuina told a news conference that the biggest outbreaks were linked to several bars in the area. Regional health authorities said there were now 258 cases in Galicia, of which 117 were in Lugo.

Capacity in bars and restaurants will be reduced to 50% and people will have to wear a face mask, even if outdoors on beaches or at swimming pools, the authorities said.

Spaniards endured one of the world's toughest lockdowns for three months from March as the country suffered one of Europe's worst coronavirus death tolls -- at least 28,385 -- and more than 250,000 cases.