Spain declares new state of emergency due to second wave of coronavirus | World

Among the measures established by Sánchez are night confinement throughout the country (except in the Canary Islands), between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m., and allowing the regions to apply other restrictions on movement, such as prohibiting meetings with more than 6 people and closing . trade.

Last Wednesday (21), Spain was the first country in the European Union and the sixth in the world to exceed one million cases of Covid-19.

On Saturday (24), the country recorded 231 new deaths from the virus, the highest number since April 29, when 224 deaths were recorded, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). At the peak of the first wave, on March 30, 888 people died.

With more young people infected, this second wave of the pandemic is proving less lethal in Spain than the first, which reached its peak between late March and early April, with some 800 deaths a day. However, health experts warn that some hospitals may collapse again.

“Very tough weeks are coming”

“Very hard weeks will come, the (European) winter is approaching, the second wave is no longer a threat, it is a reality throughout Europe,” warned Health Minister Salvador Illa, saying that the government is “open to all” . possible approaches “against the virus.

Spain was one of the countries most affected by the first wave of the pandemic, until it applied one of the strictest lockdowns in Europe between March and June and controlled infections.

The cases have multiplied again since July, with the authorities trying to save the tourist season, one of the engines of the Spanish economy.

Disagreements between central and regional administrations, and between political parties, on the scope of the measures to be applied in the face of recovery also hampered the response, experts said.