Madrid extends partial lockdown restrictions to eight other areas

Regional government in the capital of Spain, Madrid, announced on Friday they have raised the number of areas under lockdown from 37 to 45 due to the alarming number of new COVID-19 cases in recent days. The move will result in around 1 million people being in lockdown across the region.

Public and private gatherings have been limited to six people and parks closed. The restrictions are being applied, among other considerations, to areas where there are more than 1,000 cases per 100,000 people.

However, the Spanish government recommended that the area surrounding Madrid goes into full lockdown to stop the further spread of the coronavirus.

In a press conference, Spain's Health Minister Salvador Illa has urged more drastic action, saying that cities with more than 500 cases per 100,000 people should go into lockdown.

(With input from agencies)