Spain rules out curfew for now after no consensus found among regional governments

Spanish health minister Salvador Illa has ruled out implementing a curfew after failing to find a "broad consensus" among regional governments following an Interterritorial Health Council meeting.

Illa had already stated on Tuesday that the Spanish government was considering the measure in an attempt to halt the staggering spread of the virus in Spain.

To be able to put a curfew into force, the executive would seemingly have to declare a state of alarm as the restriction could be deemed unconstitutional otherwise. Illa claimed on Tuesday that the Spanish executive would not be doing so unless it could garner sufficient congressional support to extend the measure beyond 15 days if necessary.

Common measures guideline

Although an agreement regarding a curfew was not reached, a document highlighting common measures for all regions according to four virus threat levels was passed with widespread approval and abstentions from only Madrid and the Basque Country.

The document details the proposed Spanish ministry of health restrictions per transmission risk level and is set to serve as a guideline for regions that then need to decide whether to apply them or not and when.

Catalonia asks for legal framework

Meanwhile, Catalan health minister Alba Vergés asked the Spanish government to provide the Catalan government with legal mechanisms that would allow it to restrict mobility when deemed necessary based on scientific criteria.

According to health department sources, Vergés has asked for a report detailing the legal framework that would permit the Catalan government to instate stricter restrictions, including a possible curfew.