Spain Imposes Nationwide Movement Restrictions... "1500 New Cases in One Day"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] As the number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) rapidly increased in Spain, a nationwide movement restriction order was issued on the 14th (local time).

According to AP News and others, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced in a TV speech that "movement will only be allowed for purchasing essential goods, going to work, visiting hospitals, and banks. All schools and universities will be closed, and non-essential retailers such as restaurants, pubs, and hotels will all shut down."

After presiding over a cabinet meeting that lasted more than seven hours, Prime Minister Sanchez emphasized, "We have now entered a new phase," and added, "We will not hesitate to take the necessary measures to prevent COVID-19. Health is our top priority."

The reason the Spanish government issued a nationwide movement restriction order following Italy is due to the rapid increase in confirmed COVID-19 cases. Spanish health authorities reported that the number of confirmed cases rose by more than 1,500 from the previous day to 5,753. The number of deaths also surged from 120 to 136 in just one day. Currently, Spain ranks fifth in the number of confirmed cases after China, Italy, Iran, and Korea. It is the second highest in Europe.

Accordingly, there were cases where passenger planes departing from the United Kingdom and heading to Spain 'voluntarily' turned back. According to BBC, the low-cost British airline Jet2's passenger planes took off from nine airports in the UK and were heading to mainland Spain, the Spanish Balearic Islands, and the Canary Islands but returned midway.

The airline stated, "After recognizing that Spanish authorities had ordered the closure of shops and restaurants in the destination cities of the planes, we judged that the health and safety of passengers are the top priority and decided to turn back." The airline explained that since most passengers were tourists, they expected the Spanish government’s measures to have a significant impact and thus made the decision to return.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.