The Government confines the Spaniards in their homes and seizes all power

USPA NEWS - The Spanish Government approved this Saturday the declaration of the state of alert throughout the country, with which it is intended to stop the expansion of the coronavirus. So far, COVID-19 has caused almost 200 deaths in Spain, but experts warn that the number of those infected will continue to increase for at least two weeks. After an extraordinary meeting of the Council of Ministers that lasted more than seven hours, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez detailed the main points of the declaration of the state of alert, which are summarized in two: the recovery by the Spanish Government of all the assigned health powers to the regions and the restriction of movements throughout the Spanish territory.

The objective, as detailed by Pedro Sánchez in a public appearance after the Government meeting, is to stop the expansion of the coronavirus, for which all the State authorities will act under the orders of the Government, which will centralize the control of the fight against disease; displacement of Spaniards who are not urgent or for work reasons will be prohibited and supplies of food, energy and supplies for the proper functioning of hospitals will be guaranteed. According to Sánchez, the coronavirus will have a "major impact" on the Spanish economy, so the Government will do "everything in its power" to cushion the economic and social consequences.

The Prime Minister said that "the first victory" in the fight against the pandemic will be achieved "when the number of medical discharges exceeds the newly infected." "The victory will be total," he added, when Spain has a coronavirus vaccine. “We put people's health at the center of our priorities,“ he affirmed and called for the collaboration of regional governments: “Everyone should put aside their differences and stand behind the Prime Minister; let's learn from the constitution" because the truly important are the citizens.

From Monday, throughout Spain all commercial activity will be suspended except food, beverages, basic necessities, medical centers, opticians, press, fuel, tobacconists, hairdressers, dry cleaners, technological equipment, telecommunications, pet food and commerce for Internet. Spaniards can only be on the street to buy food, pharmaceuticals and basic necessities; to go to hospitals and doctor's offices; to go to work and then return to his habitual residence; to serve the elderly, minors and vulnerable people, and to travel to financial institutions and insurance companies.

According to Pedro Sánchez, the Spanish will not be able to go to dinner with family or friends or go out to party. All bars, restaurants and leisure centers must close, as do all museums, libraries and social centers. Parties and parades are also suspended, a measure that affects the upcoming Easter. Cities like Seville or León, among others, have announced the suspension of their processions. These prohibitions will last 15 days. To ensure compliance, all regional and local police will be under the orders of the Minister of Home Affairs.

All Government ministers attended the Government meeting except the women ministers for Equality and Territorial Policy and Public Function, affected by the coronavirus. Yes, the second vice president and partner of the Minister for Equality, Pablo Iglesias, who is in quarantine, were present. Sources from the Moncloa palace explained that telematic systems had not been arranged for this Cabinet meeting and the vice president wanted to attend the meeting. And they did not deny that the long duration of the Council of Ministers was due to the fight between Pedro Sánchez - a socialist - and Pablo Iglesias - on the extreme left - for control of the state of alarm.