New emergency measures in health, transport and defense in force in whole of Spain

On Sunday night, the Spanish government ministers in charge of dealing with the covid-19 coronavirus crisis outlined new emergency measures to tackle the pandemic. 

In total, the ministers of the health, defense, interior, and transport departments all spoke and announced the new measures. 

Salvador Illa, Spain’s health minister, has ordered all private healthcare centers to be under control of regional health ministries, opening them up to public use, “as best as [the regional governments] think.” Therefore, the Catalan government will tale over private healthcare centers in Catalonia.

Further, all residents in Spain must inform the authorities within 48 hours if they have relevant health care products, such as face masks and gloves. 

Illa also said that the ministry is working on a "more streamlined" procedure so that anyone who needs a covid-19 test can do so according to the protocols, and said that in the coming days, the new streamlined procedure will be implemented. So far, 30,000 tests have been made throughout Spain.

Also, those with medical degrees but without jobs in the health system will be hired, as well as those with degrees but without the specialization part of their studies finished, and some internationals waiting for convalidation of medical degrees will also be accepted.

The Spanish defense minister, Margarita Robles, announced that the military will help police forces to dissuade those who don't confine themselves at home for non essential purposes.

Spain’s three armed forces will also be available across the country to help deliver supplies and fight the soread of covid-19, while military hospitals will be available for use too. 

The interior minister, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, said that all temporary leave given to prisoners will be suspended, but they will be allowed to make more calls than normally permitted. 

Marlaska also said that all police forces will undertake further tasks to help citizens and guarantee supplies, and that there will be important cooperation between the Spanish and regional governments. 

Finally on Sunday night, new emergency measures in transport were also announced. José Luis Ábalos, Spain’s transport minister, says there will be a 50% reduction of all transport, except for commuter trains, of which there will be more service. 

Renfe trains will operate with a lower capacity, with only one third of the maximum number of passengers permitted on any train in order to allow distance between people.

Authorities such as the Catalan government will have powers to decide on whether to limit roads and ports under their ownership.