Spain considering new state of alarm to impose curfew

The Spanish government is considering a new state of alarm in order to impose a curfew in an attempt to curb the relentless growth of Covid-19 cases.

Speaking in a press conference following Tuesday's cabinet meeting, Spain's health minister Salvador Illa made it clear that the executive was considering the possibility, but that it would not go ahead with it before discussing the matter with regional governments.

Under Spanish constitutional law, the central government can declare a state of alarm for 15 days without congressional support – beyond that period, an extension would require support from MPs. Because of this, the Spanish executive will attempt to garner congressional support to be able to enforce the measure beyond 15 days if required before a potential declaration.

Illa further claimed that a curfew need not be state-wide either. "It could be applied to the entire country or only part of it," he stated.