President Torra on Spain's enhanced lockdown: 'Thanks for accepting our demands'

The Catalan president, Quim Torra, welcomed the enhanced lockdown announced by the Spanish president on Saturday evening.

In an official statement on the public broadcaster (Tv3), the Catalan leader referred to his repeated calls for such measure, expressed for the first time on March 13 and repeated since then – earlier this week, he said that if total lockdown was not executed, the exceptional measures could last until June.

"I want to thank the Spanish president for having finally accepted Catalonia's demands," he said on Saturday evening.

Torra expressed "satisfaction" at the new measures, which will see all workers of non-essential services to stay home from March 30 to April 9.

Economic and social measures

The Catalan head of government also said that in a meeting between regions' leaders and Pedro Sánchez to be held on Sunday he will ask for "economic and social measures" to face the total lockdown.

"There can't be limits to helping employees, firms, self-employed workers and vulnerable people."

Like Pedro Sánchez, Torra also sent a message of hope to the country.

"We will show again that we are able to overcome hardship, and we will stay home, thus helping healthcare workers to do their job."

Vice president also welcomes measures

Torra's vice president, Esquerra party official Pere Aragonès, also welcomed the new measures. "We are satisfied because finally, Pedro Sánchez enforces the measures urged by the Catalan cabinet based on the recommendations of experts," he tweeted.