Spain adopts 'new normal' decree over coronavirus

The lower house in Spain on Thursday approved a decree which outlines "new normal" safety measures over the coronavirus pandemic by 265-77 votes and 5 abstentions.

Among other measures, the so-called new normalcy decree makes the wearing of masks compulsory in spaces where a safe 1.5-meter distance between people cannot be respected.

The government of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez had struggled to approve various extensions of a state of emergency and the phasing out of the COVID-19 lockdown in the past two months.

The European country which was once badly hit by the coronavirus ended its state of emergency alert on June 21. Over 247,000 cases have been reported in Spain with over 28,000 deaths.