The ministry, which published the decision in an official journal, said regional and local authorities would have 48 hours to comply once a separate order was published. However, it was not clear when that would happen, and Diaz Ayuso also said on Thursday that the committee that took the decision had no legal authority to do so without a consensus.
If the new curbs come into force, the 10 municipalities will see their borders closed to outsiders for non-essential visits. Only those traveling for work, school, doctors’ visits, or shopping will be allowed to cross. The curfew for bars and restaurants is being moved from 1am to 11pm.
Spain has recorded 769,188 Covid-19 cases – the highest rate in Western Europe – and 31,791 deaths. Madrid has 735 cases per 100,000 people, which is one of the highest of any region in Europe and double the national rate in Spain. To reduce the spread of the pandemic, the authorities in the Spanish capital had already imposed a partial lockdown in 45 mainly poorer areas.
