Spain tightens coronavirus lockdown by ordering all non-essential workers to stay indoors as death toll soared by 832 to 5,690

Spain tightens coronavirus lockdown by ordering all non-essential workers to stay indoors as death toll soared by 832 to 5,690
# 29 March 2020 08:44 (UTC +04:00)

Spain is tightening its coronavirus lockdown by ordering all non-essential workers to stay indoors, APA reports citing Daily Mail.

The instruction comes as the death toll soared by 832 to 5,690 and confirmed cases hit 72,248 today.

The ban on a range of work activities - which were allowed in the first two weeks after a state of emergency was introduced - will start on Monday and last until April 9.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced the new restrictions in an address to the nation this evening.

He added: 'If we achieve the level of mobility we're seeing at weekends on working days, we can halt even more the spread of this pandemic.'

The ban will last eight working days.

Employees who have to stay at home will be paid but will be expected to do extra hours over the next few months to make up the time they are not at work.

The government announcement came as no surprise as ministers had hinted a tightening of the work regulations was being looked at earlier in the week.

Construction workers and workers in factories which are not producing medical equipment or essentials like food will be among those who will join the likes of restaurant and bar staff who have already spent two weeks under lockdown.

The measure will not affect medical workers, police and lorry drivers who are transporting food and other basic commodities.

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