By Tony Winterburn • Published: 16 May 2020 • 7:46
THERE was an unerring calm on the streets of Madrid last night, police were out in force ready to quell any civil unrest but in the end, it wasn’t necessary.
Massive LED screens situated around the capital were the centre of attraction as the director of the Emergencies and Health Alerts, Fernando Simón, explained the reasons behind the government’s decisions to put Madrid on a ‘botched’ status as people were calling it.
Phase 0, as it is called allows certain restrictions to be eased, not completely lifted, here is the full list below that was announced last night.
The flexibility measures that will be applied in Madrid include the opening of retail and services without an appointment, but preserving special hours for the elderly. Further:
– The attention of Social Services is reactivated progressively.
– Disinfection of educational centres and universities and administrative work will be allowed.
– The reopening of technical-scientific research centres that closed with the alarm decree.
– Loan of books in libraries with hygienic conditions and visits to museums to a third of the capacity.
– High-performance sports centres may be opened with adequate hygiene measures.
– Wakes are allowed with up to 10 people, with personal distance.
“The advances that have been made are spectacular, but they need more time,” said Fernando Simón. The decision has been based on “caution, prudence and security,” as added by the Minister of Health, Salvador Illa.
The regional government has not hidden its discomfort over the non-authorisation to start the de-escalation, which, in addition, it assures had not been previously informed about after the bilateral meeting that was called for this Friday was cancelled. “They have not given us a technical reason to justify the rejection,” they say.
Discussions are still underway to try and force the government to move Madrid to Phase 1 as soon as possible, an announcement is due to be made next Friday said Fernando Simón, “assuming certain criteria are met of course.”
#madrid #spain #coronavirus
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