Madrid at 'serious risk' without tougher COVID-19 rules, health minister warns

[rooster59]

Madrid at 'serious risk' without tougher COVID-19 rules, health minister warns

 

FILE PHOTO: Spain's Health Minister Salvador Illa visits the Monastery of Santa Maria de Poblet, north of Tarragona, Spain, July 20, 2020. REUTERS/Albert Gea/File Photo

 

MADRID (Reuters) - Spain's health minister urged authorities in Madrid on Saturday to tighten restrictions in the coronavirus hotspot, warning that the capital's residents and surrounding regions were at "serious risk" without tougher curbs.

 

Madrid extended a partial lockdown on Friday in several dozen districts with high infection rates, rejecting national government recommendations for a city-wide lockdown as cases continue to surge in the capital.

 

"Madrid is in a situation of serious risk and it's time to act with determination," Health Minister Salvador Illa told a news conference.

 

"There is a serious risk for inhabitants, for the neighbouring regions," he said, calling on the capital's regional authorities to "put the health of citizens first".

 

Spain's tally of confirmed coronavirus cases rose by 12,272 on Friday from the previous day to 716,481, the highest number in Western Europe. More than 31,000 people have died from COVID-19.

 

Spaniards endured one of Europe's strictest lockdowns from March until May, when they were not allowed to leave their homes. But after restrictions were totally lifted on June 21, the pandemic has surged again.

 

Most of the 45 Madrid districts covered by the new restrictions are high-density, low-income areas, triggering complaints about "class confinement", including during a protest outside the city assembly late on Friday.

 

(Reporting by Jessica Jones; Editing by Helen Popper)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-09-27

 

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[UnkleGoooose]

It's at serious risk of what? Its economy collapsing, social cohesion being torn apart, surrendering additional liberties to the state? Because it ain't covid. 

[Stargeezr]

So are Europeans travelling country to country and spreading the virus?

  Not happening in the USA to Canada except a few cheaters who were fined 600 to 1000 dollars when they were caught.  All countries have to get serious or 2 million fewer will be around by the end of 2021.  I heard of over 1000 new cases in just New York alone, again in 1 day, pretty sad.  I hope people stay cautious now that the flu season is starting in the Northern hemisphere.

Geezer

[oompie69]

What they did the 1st time round wasn't all that successful. So, what do they think will  be different this time round? 

[BritManToo]

4 hours ago, Stargrazer9889 said:

So are Europeans travelling country to country and spreading the virus?

  Not happening in the USA to Canada except a few cheaters who were fined 600 to 1000 dollars when they were caught.  All countries have to get serious or 2 million fewer will be around by the end of 2021.  I heard of over 1000 new cases in just New York alone, again in 1 day, pretty sad.  I hope people stay cautious now that the flu season is starting in the Northern hemisphere.

Geezer

Cower in fear at home ....... you may not live longer, but it'll sure feel longer.

 

Back on topic.

Odd that Spain seems to get all these new cases.

Clearly the answer is locking people away longer, and making people say in their homes, and everyone broke and unemployed.