Britons are told to avoid ‘anything but essential travel’ to Madrid
British are told to avoid ‘anything but essential travel’ to Madrid and some other parts of Spain during a corona virus outbreak
- British should avoid non-essential travel to the regions of Madrid and La Rioja and municipalities of La Bastida, Vitoria and Miranda de Ebro, British officials say
- The Spanish authorities have designated them as “areas of community transfer”
- Spain has 2,968 virus cases and 84 deaths – the worst figures in Europe outside Italy
- Coronavirus symptoms: what are they and should you see a doctor?
British people have been advised today to avoid ‘anything but essential travel’ to Madrid and some other parts of Spain due to fear of the corona virus.
The State Department said British should cut unnecessary visits to the regions of Madrid and La Rioja and the municipalities of La Bastida, Vitoria and Miranda de Ebro.
The Spanish authorities have designated these places as “areas for community transfer”.
Spain has recorded 2,968 virus cases and 84 deaths, making it the worst outbreak in Europe, apart from Italy.
Red Cross members demonstrate hygiene measures in Madrid, where the British are now advised to avoid travel unless necessary due to the corona virus
Britons currently in Spain are not advised to leave, as flights and other transportation routes are still underway.
Airlines are still operating flights to and from the affected areas, the State Department said.
However, the Spanish government has suspended all inbound flights from Italy until March 25 and has asked people to avoid unnecessary travel.
“People wishing to travel to Spain should consult their airlines and tour operators,” said British government advice.
The Madrid region is one of the 17 autonomous communities in Spain and includes the capital.
The community of La Rioja, also designated a virus hotspot, is further north and includes the cities of Logrono and Calahorra.
La Bastida and Miranda de Ebro are in the northwestern region of Castile and Leon, while Vitoria is in the Basque Country.
There is no advice not to travel to the rest of Spain, but officials are monitoring the outbreak.
The FCO’s advice follows very similar guidelines from Irish Secretary of State Simon Coveney two days ago.
Catalan police stop a car trying to enter Igualada, one of four cities closed by regional authorities, this morning at a checkpoint near Barcelona
Separately, four cities in Catalonia were quarantined on Thursday during the first such move in the country.
The 66,000 residents of Igualada, Odena, Santa Margarida de Montbui, and Vilanova del Cami towns “ cannot leave their urban core, ” although they can leave their homes, a statement said.
Catalan health minister, Alba Verges, told reporters that authorities would focus on Igualada, a city of 40,000 inhabitants about 40 miles from Barcelona.
There are currently 58 cases in the city, 38 more than Wednesday, the health minister said.
Catalan police officers blocked cars trying to leave Igualada on a road this morning.
The Spanish Royal Palace said yesterday that King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia had tested negative for Covid-19.
The cabinet also underwent tests after the Equality Minister tested positive and was quarantined with her partner, the second Deputy Prime Minister.
The infected minister, Irene Montero, had appeared through Madrid for International Women’s Day during a mass march of some 120,000 people.
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