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Coronavirus-ravaged Spain returns to work TODAY as non essential workers clock in despite death toll hitting 17,209
SPAIN is to allow some non-essential workers to return to their jobs as coronavirus restrictions are partially eased despite the death toll hitting 17,209.
The government tightened the country’s lockdown by halting all non-essential activities on March 30, which confined most of the population to their homes.
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The partial return to work in Spain will put pressure on the UK government to come up with a similar strategy, though the cabinet is divided on when to end a lockdown that's costing the economy £2.4bn a day.
Italy is also easing its lockdown - Europe's longest - with shops selling books, stationery and children's clothes to re-open on Tuesday.
Coronavirus ravaged Spain’s death toll figures began to rise slightly at the weekend after recently showing a downward trend.
The country will allow workers in industry and construction to return to work after the two-week shutdown.
Those who can work from home are strongly encouraged by authorities to continue doing so.
In a televised address to the nation Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez warned Spain had not yet entered the “second phase" in the fight against the coronavirus.
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He said a “de-escalation" of lockdown measures will start at the earliest in two weeks and will be “very gradual and very prudent".
“We're still far from victory, from the time when we get normality back in our lives," he said.
“We're all keen to go back out on the street - but our desire to win the war and prevent a relapse is even greater.”
Shops will remain closed other than supermarkets, fruit stands, bakeries, butchers, news stands and pharmacies.
On Monday, an army of 35,000 police and Civil Protection workers will start to distribute ten million masks for travellers to use on public transport.
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The rest of the lockdown restrictions in the nation of around 47 million people will remain in place until April 25 although the government has made clear it expects another two-week extension.
The measures prevent people from going outside except to go to work if they cannot do so from home, buy food, seek medical care and briefly walk their dog.
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They will be provided at train, metro and bus stations and their use is strongly advised but not compulsory.
Health Minister Salvador Illa has stressed that those who present symptoms, no matter how slight, should not go to work
He called for "three priorities" to be followed - keeping a minimum distance of one metre, hand washing and "maximum" hygiene in public and private spaces.
Eerie ghost town scenes in Benidorm during Spain's coronavirus lockdown
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