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11TH - 17TH AUGUST 2020 - EDITION 851
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Global health experts say no second lockdown for Spain See Main Advert on page 27
In direct contradiction to recent reports of a lockdown on 18th September, the Director of Public Health for the World Health Organisation, Maria Neira, has said that it does not believe that Spain will return to a general confinement.
This is a conclusion that is supported by Fernando Simon, Head of Spain’s Centre of the Co-ordination of Health Alerts and Emergencies. Although in the midst of a global pandemic you can never say never, experts agree that the decision to return to a lockdown situation would “have to be justified by a ‘very alarming’ epidemiological situation” and both believe that this can be avoided. Whilst there has been an increase in cases, Maria Neria said that the circumstances that would require another lockdown, do not exist in Spain. Currently all outbreaks are well controlled, there is no uncontrolled community transmission (a high number of infected of which the origin of the contagion is unknown.) There is also containment; none of the
outbreaks are affecting an area widespread enough for experts to believe that a large territory is at risk. And finally, the third reason that a lockdown is not required is that currently and into the foreseeable future, the autonomous communities are implementing adequate measures to control and contain local outbreaks themselves. Therefore, there is no need for nationwide control tactics such as a total lockdown. The Costa Blanca People contacted the British Embassy in Madrid to discuss the claims of an imminent lockdown. A spokesperson said: “We're not aware of the plans mentioned. Governments at regional and national levels (in Spain, the UK and elsewhere) are continually monitoring the pandemic, especially recent outbreaks,
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and adapting their plans to ensure societies (especially health services) are best able to cope. The UK works with countries around the world to share information and best-practice in response to the COVID19 pandemic.”