Laurence Dollimore
SEVERAL regions have asked the central government for permission to install a state of alarm following a worrying surge in coronavirus cases.
Extremedura, the Basque Country, Asturias and Melilla have all requested the extra powers today, with the latter saying it is ‘close to collapse.’
Extremedura president Guillermo Fernandez Vara said he will adopt a curfew from midnight to 6am as ‘it has been proven that a main cause of contagion is uncontrolled’ nightlife.
But the central region, which registered 441 cases and seven deaths on Friday, wants to avoid a confinement of the population.
“We all understand that the confinement of everyone is not possible, because there is no health without an economy,” said Vara.
“I thank everyone for the effort that is being made. This situation that we had never imagined is very difficult.”
Asturias has made similar requests and is also going to install a curfew in a bid to bring down contagion numbers.
President of the region Adrian Barbon will make a televised appearance this afternoon.
It also joins the Basque Country, which has requested a state of alarm for the next 15 days.
Regional leader Iñigo Urkullu told Pedro Sanchez that the number of infections and the high pressure on its hospitals requires more drastic action.
It has already reduced the number of people who can meet up to six and is expected to announce a curfew.
Meanwhile in Melilla, leader Eduardo de Castro has also requested a state of alarm to bring in a curfew.
The North African territory said the city is about to witness a ‘collapse’ of its health system due to the influx of coronavirus patients.
De Castro said in a press conference that the curfew will be from 10pm to 6am in a bid to prevent so-called botellones and house parties.
