Spain Announces Local Lockdowns Amid Rapid Rise In Virus Cases

Six districts in Madrid and further areas of Spain worst affected by the coronavirus are to be locked down, officials announced on Friday, amid a rapid increase in infections.

The partial lockdowns in Madrid and seven towns in the surrounding areas mean residents will only be allowed to enter or leave their area for work, medical visits, to attend school or if legally summoned, starting from Monday, said regional president Isabel Ayuso.

The popular holiday island of Mallorca is one of the other areas in Spain facing similar restrictions.

Ayuso said that residents will still be able to move around their areas but parks will be closed, meetings capped at six people and public buildings may only be filled to half their usual capacity.