Spain seeks to extend state of emergency until June 21

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Sunday his coalition government will ask lawmakers to ratify a final extension of the country’s state of emergency until June 21.

“We need to go the final distance to end the health emergency. Today we need a final, definitive extension of the state of emergency, which will be lighter,” Sanchez said during a press conference on Sunday afternoon.

The state of emergency was first imposed in March 14, and set Spain under strict lockdown, as the Coronavirus infections were rising sharply. It is set to expire on June 7, with lockdown measures expected to be fully lifted later in the month, if the epidemiological criteria allow for it.

The PM added that the country’s tourism sector will need to be “reactivated” as soon as possible, as Spain is set to welcome foreign tourists in the beginning of July.

“Visitors to Spain will find physical distancing, but emotional closeness,” Sanchez added.

The country is among the worst-hit by the pandemic worldwide, having recorded, as of publication, more than 286,000 confirmed Covid-19 cases and over 27,000 deaths.

Source: https://www.neweurope.eu/article/spain-seeks-to-extend-state-of-emergency-until-june-21/