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21ST - 27TH APRIL 2020 - EDITION 835
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Lockdown extended but children to be allowed out Pedro Sánchez gave a press conference by video link on Saturday, confirming that he will request a new two-week extension to the state of alarm, bringing the new ‘end’ date to May 9th. In addition, Sánchez revealed that “de-escalation” of lockdown measures might begin as soon as April 27th with plans in place to allow children outside. The first easing of the lockdown measures will see children up to and including age 12 allowed out of the house with adult supervision and adhering to certain criteria – although details of how this will be managed have not yet been confirmed. Sánchez also revealed that the relaxation of the lockdown in Spain will vary by area (not necessarily by larger autonomous region) depending on the degree of infection. This is the first mention of an easing of the lockdown measures with government sources indicating that if the figures show a rise in infections, the restrictions will once again be tightened. The decision to allow children outside has come after strong social pressure. Children have been completely isolated for more than a month – not allowed, as adults are, go to the supermarket, pharmacy or to work. Sánchez will speak this week to the
measures are bound to be rolled out and backtracked until there is a balance between normal life and lowered risk of infection. As Sánchez himself explained, “In May we will start the slow march towards normality. We will lift the confinement cautiously and progressively. But if we notice the least risk we will stop. We will strengthen all protection measures in all places, also in the workplace.” Pedro Sánchez
heads of local government around the country to develop safe measures under which children will be allowed out. He said, “These outings will be limited and subject to conditions to limit infections. It is only a small relief.” The details of how this new ‘freedom’ will be managed are not yet known, only that the government is proposing new rules for children age 12 and under. “We are very aware of the reality that children are experiencing. We will define over the next few weeks what the criteria will be, the reasons, under which security criteria. The proposal is from the 27th to give them the opportunity to enjoy some time in the fresh air. We have to do it under the criteria of the advice of the scientific committee,” said Sánchez. In terms of a wider relaxation of the lockdown rules, Sánchez explained that
the Government, through a committee of experts coordinated by the vice president of Ecological Transition, Teresa Ribera, is reviewing a series of markers that will indicate where and how de-escalation can be rolled out and if it is working. "If in those markers we see that there are setbacks in some areas, we will review those decisions and react accordingly,” explained Sánchez. May will be a key month for introducing new measures but this will be done with great caution and the easing of measures can be reversed at any time if the figures dictate as such. The government has warned that this will be a long process and in his video conference on Saturday, Sánchez revealed he cannot even guarantee that there will be normal summer holidays on Spanish beaches this year. One thing is for sure, the de-escalation
Despite a silver lining on the horizon for Spain’s children, the country remains in one of the strictest lockdowns on the planet. And, the government confirmed that the data is not there yet to support introducing easier measures beyond what has been discussed for allowing children out.
“We have achieved the most difficult, the hardest. We have come through the most extreme moments with sacrifice, resistance, victory, and morale. But these achievements are insufficient, fragile. We cannot put them at risk. We have to make more progress before de-escalation begins. That is why I will send word to the presidents of the autonomous communities the Government's intention to extend the state of alarm for a new period of 15 days,” said Sánchez. Another significant decision taken by government, which was announced by the Minister for Consumer Affairs Alberto Garzón, is to regulate the prices of facemasks and other basic medical necessities such as sanitizing gels and protective gloves. The prices of such items has skyrocketed in recent weeks.