STATE OF ALERT IN SPAIN

Declaring Spain to be in a “state of alert is a measure included in article 116 of the Constitution and is the first of three levels that can be declared, the next being state of emergency and the highest level a state of siege. 

The state of alert in Spain allows the government to take wide-ranging measures for up to 15 days, including

1. Mobilization of the country’s armed forces
2. Limiting the circulation both on public transport and by road and continuity of people or vehicles during specific hours and in certain places, or condition these to adapt themselves to certain requisites.
3. Temporarily intervene in industries, factories, workshops, farms or premises of any nature with the exception of private homes.
4. Limit or ration the use of services and/or the consumption of high necessity products
5. Issue the necessary orders to ensure the supply of the markets and the operation of affected centres.

The biggest concern is whether Spain’s largely public health system is able to sustain the sharp increase in cases, especially after years of austerity measures exhausted resources in hospitals and health centers. The central government on Thursday allocated an additional package of € 3.8 billion for reinforcing personnel and supplies for hospitals, as well as a 14-billion-euro ($15.6 billion) stimulus package for the economy.

Spain is placing tight restrictions on movement and closing restaurants and other establishments in the nation of 46 million people as part of a two-week state of emergency to fight the sharp rise in coronavirus infections. People will only be allowed to leave their homes to buy food and medicine, commute to work, go to medical centres and banks, or take trips related to the care for the young and the elderly. Effectively immediately, Spain is also closing all restaurants, bars, hotels, education centres nationwide, and other non-essential retail outlets.