Spain's government has declared a state of emergency in the Madrid area to enforce a partial lockdown to curb rampant virus infections, overriding opposition from the regional authorities. "The government has decided to declare a state of emergency...
for the next 15 days," said Health Minister Salvador Illa following an urgent two-hour cabinet meeting. The measure, which comes into effect immediately, was rushed through ahead of a long holiday weekend for Spain's National Day on 12 October, raising concerns people could take advantage of the legal limbo to head out of town.
Ministers met a day after a bombshell court ruling which effectively cancelled mobility restrictions on 4.5 million people in and around the capital to slow the rapid