Police carry out controls in public spaces to ensure limitation of movement

Spain’s interior ministry has issued an order to establish a "concerted action" of the various police forces to limit the movement of people across Catalonia and the rest of Spain, following yesterday’s official announcement of the state of alarm due to the coronavirus crisis.

The state of alarm, officially announced last night, will see the Catalan police, the Mossos d’Esquadra, and other local police forces fall under the command of Spain’s interior ministry. The warrant also includes private security personnel. 

In the order, Spain’s interior minister, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, says that police bodies will deploy "security devices, both fixed and mobile" on public roads and spaces and on the transport network to "ensure compliance with the restrictive measures.” 

In addition, the order warns that citizens who violate or resist orders of the authority will be punished with fines starting from €100.

According to a statement from the interior ministry, these security measures will be made particularly "in those places or time slots that may be specifically affected by the restrictions that are agreed upon."

The order states that citizens "have access to their workplace and basic services if necessary," as well as allows “the mobility of dedicated staff.”

The Spanish state alarm decree states that citizens can only use public roads to buy food, pharmaceuticals, and basic necessities; visiting healthcare centers, commuting to the workplace, returning home, helping dependent people, and going to and from financial entities, or in the event of force majeure.

The resolution approved by the interior ministry will remain in effect as long as Spain remains in a state of alarm, and the orders are given to all police forces in Spain. 

Support for healthcare professionals

The order also places police forces available to "assist institutions and professionals" in situations where it is necessary to provide urgent medical care. In fact, police security measures will be strengthened to ensure the operation of health centers, as well as pharmacies and health care products. When necessary, travel to health or emergency services will also be supported.

In addition, the police forces will also need to ensure the supply of food and other goods and services, and measures will be strengthened to ensure the operation of critical infrastructure.

Finally, the order also provides for a section for agents' health protection and ensures that "the recommendations and instructions given by the health authorities" for coronavirus prevention will be "followed in all cases."