Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez calls for maintaining vigilance

MADRID: Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has called on citizens to maintain vigilance and precaution as approximately half of the country prepares to move into the second stage of a four-phased plan to ease lockdown restrictions which were put in place on March 15 to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

Around half of Spain will benefit from the lifting of restrictions, but Sanchez warned in a televised speech on Saturday that "the virus has not disappeared. The fight will continue, and will not end until there is a vaccine", reports Xinhua news agency.

Many areas, including the Basque Region, Cantabria, Asturias and Galicia in the north of Spain, will move into Phase 1 (the second stage) on Monday after meeting the criteria set by Spanish health authorities to ease lockdown restrictions.

These areas will be able to open outside terraces, while shops under 400 square metres can also trade and meetings of up to 10 people within provinces can also be held. (IANS) 

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