Industry and construction return to work in Spain

USPA NEWS - Non-essential company workers, who fifteen days ago were forced by the Spanish Government to seclude themselves at home, as part of the measures implemented to stop the Coronavirus pandemic, return to work between Monday and Tuesday. They are fundamentally workers in industry and construction. The President of the Spanish Government, Pedro Sánchez, warned on Sunday, in a televised appearance, that the confinement of the Spaniards does not relax and detailed the exceptions to this return to the activity of non-essential companies for the operation of the country.

Despite the permission for non-essential employees to return to work, pregnant women, workers who have been in contact with patients with Coronavirus, or those who suffer respiratory or cardiac diseases may not return to activity. Neither can those who can telework. The rest of the sectors will remain confined, especially the bars and restaurants, museums and libraries, churches, shops and leisure centers. Essential businesses, such as grocery stores, pharmacies, public transportation, legal services, telecommunications services, technical services, and the media, among others, continue to be authorized to work.

Spain is already in its second extension of the state of alarm, which will last until April 26. President Sánchez warned last week in Congress that, in all likelihood, it will not be the last and that the Spaniards must remain confined until May 15. But it all depends on how the pandemic evolves in Spain. Health authorities insist that the Coronavirus is not yet controlled and criticize the hasty return to work of non-essential companies, because it can cause an increase in infections.

In order to avoid this threat, the Spanish Government began to distribute protective masks on public transport on Monday, although it admits that there may be supply problems. The Spanish Government ceded health management to the regions almost 20 years ago, and after taking centralized control of the pandemic, last March, it has proved inexperienced and ineffective in purchasing sanitary materials. Regions such as Madrid and Andalusia, which have managed to buy masks, gloves and gowns for their territories, have obtained better results, while the Government insistently promises the arrival of materials that have not yet arrived.

Meanwhile, the Spanish begin to see the future with hope. This Monday, in Spain there were 169,496 confirmed cases of Coronavirus. 17,489 patients had died and 64,727 people had been cured. Hospitals are beginning to decongest, although health authorities warn that their guard must not be lowered and demand that the confinement be maintained indefinitely.