To celebrate the lifting of the curfew, Spaniards took to the streets to join in parties. However, very few people follow the COVID-19 prevention regulations.
People gathered in Madrid’s city square but did not wear masks and practice social distancing. Photo: Getty Image From 0:00 on May 9, most of 17 regions in Spain have officially lifted the state of emergency imposed from October 2020 to prevent the COVID-19 epidemic. According to AFP news agency, to celebrate the lifting of the curfew, people poured into the streets to participate in parties. However, very few people follow the epidemic prevention regulations. In the capital Madrid, people form crowds dancing and singing in the streets without wearing masks. The scene is likened to a celebration on New Year’s Eve. Local police were forced to disperse crowds moving from downtown Puerta del Sol square. People gather to drink beer and sing without observing any regulations on epidemic prevention. Photo: Zuma Barcelona beach is packed with people at midnight. Photo: AFP In Barcelona, people also flocked to the beach at midnight to celebrate the end of the six-month blockade. One photo shows a man and woman kissing in the street as police watch from afar. A couple unafraid to share a passionate kiss in the middle of the street to celebrate the end of the curfew. Photo: Getty Image Police were mobilized to ensure order and security while the people celebrated. Photo: Getty Image The decision to relax the blockade to prevent COVID-19 means that people in this country have been allowed to freely travel between regions after months of being banned. However, regional governments can still limit the opening hours and number of guests of bars and restaurants. Regions can also ask the court to approve more stringent disease prevention measures such as re-imposing curfews, limiting the number of people gathering indoors or extending the travel ban in the region. Previously, the Spanish Government applied emergency measures to prevent the epidemic such as a night curfew, a ban on non-essential travel between regions. Authorities temporarily lifted restrictions for a few days over Christmas. However, due to a sharp increase in the number of cases after this holiday, Spain has decided not to relax its domestic travel restrictions during the Easter week – usually the peak tourist season here. According to Worldometer website statistics, as of 6am on May 10, Spain recorded over 3.5 million cases of COVID-19, including at least 78,000 deaths.
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