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Spain Adopts Italy-Style Measures to Contain Coronavirus

Martin Arostegui

   MADRID - Spain is suffering Europe's worst coronavirus contagion after
   Italy, according to government officials who have declared a "state of
   alarm" to implement the type of emergency measures instituted in Italy,
   forcing people to stay indoors even at the risk of economic paralysis.

   According to Spanish health authorities, the number of confirmed
   coronavirus cases rose past 9,000 on Monday, increasing at a rate of
   35% over the weekend when the government issued quarantine orders for
   all of Spain.

   In Italy, confirmed coronavirus cases by Monday had exceeded 24,000,
   second only to China where the infection began. The government there
   has been criticized for not instituting emergency measures earlier than
   it did.

   "By applying nationwide measures early on we hope to get above the
   contagion curve," said Madrid Community Vice President Ignacio Aguado,
   who administers health programs in Spain's capital where about half of
   Spain's coronavirus cases are concentrated.

   He says the number of fatalities has been reduced through stepped-up
   testing and emergency care throughout the country, including the
   requisitioning of private hospitals and mobilizing of military medical
   teams.Fewer than 350 people were reported to have died inSpain as of
   Monday, compared to more than 1,800 in Italy.

   But the measures are expected to take a heavy toll on the economy.

   "Calculationsof the economic impactareof major proportion" said Prime
   Minister Pedro Sanchez when he announced the state of emergency on
   Saturday. As in other countries, theMadrid stock market has seen share
   values decline by about one-third.

   Tourism -a major source of income which has helped to cushion Spain
   from previous economic crises -- has suffered the heaviest blow as
   beaches, scenic town centers and all forms of outside entertainment
   have been declared off limits or banned.

   During the weekend, police vans and drones armed with loudspeakers
   warned citizens to stay away from beachside promenades and boulevards,
   while tourists crowded into airports to await repatriation to their
   respective countries.

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