Spain has imposed a 15-day quarantine

The Spanish authorities followed the example of their Italian colleagues and introduced a nationwide quarantine. Spaniards should not leave their homes unless “absolutely necessary,” the country’s Prime Minister said in a televised address.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced restrictions on movement throughout the country due to the spread of the coronavirus. This is reported by the newspaper El Pais.

The quarantine is imposed throughout the country for 15 days. The restrictive measures came into force on March 15 and will remain in effect until at least March 29. This period may be extended with the consent of the Parliament.

People are only allowed to leave their homes to buy food and medicine, go to work or to the hospital, or in case of force majeure.

All schools and universities in Spain are closed. In the next two weeks, the training will be held online. Companies transfer employees to remote work. Bars, restaurants, museums, theaters, and many shops are also closed in the country.

Pedro Sanchez called for the unification of regional leaders. “We must all put aside our differences, support the Spanish government and together we will defeat the virus,” the Prime Minister said.

“When we see the spread of the virus slow down, it will be our first collective victory,” Sanchez added.

Spanish army units have been brought in to enforce the quarantine. The military patrols the streets of Madrid, Valencia, Seville, Zaragoza, Leon, Las Palmas and Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

Spain ranks second in Europe after Italy in the number of cases of coronavirus-7.7 thousand, according to the Ministry of health on March 15.