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Spain’s regions and the central Health Ministry on Thursday decided to extend the current coronavirus restrictions on social activity over Easter week.
The preliminary agreement was reached by the Public Health commission, which brings together health officials from the central and regional governments, who are in charge of their own healthcare systems as well as managing the pandemic in their territories.
Under the pact, regions will remain under a perimetral lockdown, meaning no one can enter or leave without a justified reason, such as to go to work. This measure is already in force in all of Spain’s 17 regions, with the exception of Madrid, the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands.
Spain’s health minister warned of increasing cases nationwide on Wednesday but did not announce new national restrictions for the upcoming Easter holiday season.
“Each region can and maybe should establish stricter measures where necessary,” Carolina Darias said after meeting with heads of Spain’s regional governments.
She said the Health Ministry had already set minimum rules for holidays such as blocking travel between regions and an 11 p.m. curfew.
Bars and restaurants have reopened in virtually all of Spain and all regions have relaxed measures since infections peaked following the Christmas holidays.
Health officials hope that a similar spike will not be seen after the Easter break when children stay home from school and residents tend to take holidays over the four-day weekend.
Many traditional religious festivities have been canceled.
On Wednesday, the Health Ministry reported 7,026 new coronavirus infections -- up 14% compared to the same day last week.
“We are at a critical moment,” said Darias. “The trend is ascending and we need to reverse it.”
The variant first found in the UK is also making up more than 50% of cases in Spain nationwide, she added.
The country also confirmed another 320 deaths from coronavirus, bringing the total to 73,744.
Although hospitalizations fell slightly, Darias warned that around 20% of all intensive care units remain full of COVID-19 patients.
Meanwhile, the country resumed vaccinating people younger than 65 with the AstraZeneca vaccine after a nine-day pause.
In total, Spain has administered around 6.5 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine
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