Spanish president informs regional leaders state of alarm to be extended another 15 days

Spanish president Pedro Sánchez informed all regional leaders, including Catalan president Quim Torra, that the state of alarm that was called on March 14 for two weeks due to the covid-19 crisis will be extended for another 15 days.

The move, which according to the Spanish constitution requires congressional approval, will mean that everyone will have to stay indoors during Easter, a time of the year that typically sees higher levels of travel and activity than usual.

According to figures announced on Saturday, Catalonia has had 4,704 confirmed coronavirus cases while 191 people have died.

The official figures for Spain released on Sunday show there have been a total of 1,720 coronavirus-related deaths as the number of confirmed cases has surged to nearly 29,000.

The Spanish government stated on Saturday that it had purchased 640,000 tests that are able to detect whether someone has coronavirus or not in 15 minutes, as well as 700 respirators.

It also stated that it will be distributing some 500,000 facemasks among medical professionals and another 800,000 to patients.