Behind the declaration of the state of alarm throughout the national territory for a period of fifteen days, and its subsequent delegation of powers to four ministries, the Ministers of Health, Salvador Illa, Defense, Margarita Robles, Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, and Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda, José Luis Ábalos, have presented a series of measures to face the health emergency situation caused by the coronavirus COVID-19 in Spain.
Health
In order to reinforce the National system of health, Minister Salvador Illa has announced that all the facilities and resources of private healthcare in their respective territories will be made available to regional councilors. In addition, the contracts of the residents of the last years of training in the specialties that are necessary to attend to the situation caused by the coronavirus will be extended, in order to ensure more availability of health professionals.
Pool Moncloa / Borja Puig de la BellacasaLikewise, and with the same objective, it will be allowed on an exceptional and temporary basis, the hiring of people with a bachelor's degree or degree in health professions, who do not yet have a specialty course. Finally, the minister has indicated, retired health professionals under the age of seventy should be available, in case communities need their services in this exceptional situation.
Regarding the supply of goods and materials, Minister Illa has indicated that there will be a 48-hour period for all companies or individuals who currently have products necessary for the protection of health, such as masks, to communicate their stocks and their location. Likewise, companies with the productive capacity to manufacture them must also notify the Ministry of Health.
The minister has indicated that these are exceptional measures that meet the greatest public health challenge we have had in our recent history. Illa thanked the exemplary civic behavior of Spanish society and that of all health professionals in this country.
Transport
Minister Ábalos has asked citizens to be responsible and only carry out those trips that cannot be postponed in order to minimize the risk of contagion.
Pool Moncloa / Borja Puig de la BellacasaWith this objective, it has agreed to reduce 50% in the supply of public transport services for road, rail, air and maritime passengers under state jurisdiction. With regard to those of regional or local competence, each regional or local authority may set the percentages of reduction of public transport services of their ownership that they deem appropriate.
Likewise, with regard to hygiene measures, to try to minimize the risk of contagion, operators of passenger transport services are obliged to carry out daily cleaning of vehicles, following the recommendations established by the Ministry of Health. .
The public operator Renfe will reduce the supply of High Speed seats by 85% and its trains will only be able to go to 1/3 of their capacity to guarantee the distance between passengers.
Inside
The interior minister has presented a order by which it establishes the common criteria of action for all the Security Forces and Bodies, that they must act in a coordinated manner under the command of the Ministry of the Interior with the aim of enforcing measures such as control of movements, support for health work, guaranteeing the supply of food and essential goods or ensuring the operation of critical infrastructure.
Pool Moncloa / Borja Puig de la BellacasaThe minister has also announced that all articulated citizen security plans will be reinforced, such as the Greater Security Plan, aimed especially at preventing and improving the security of the elderly.
The Royal Decree establishes that all civil protection emergency intervention and assistance services will also act under the functional dependency of the Ministry of the Interior. Tomorrow, Monday, the first meeting of the State Coordination Committee for Civil Protection will take place, where all communities and administrations will be represented. Minister Marlaska has indicated that, on the first day of applying the state of alarm, no notable incidents are taking place, "which demonstrates the civic character and responsibility of the citizens," he stressed.
Defending
Minister Robles has ordered the deployment of the Military Emergency Unit (UME) in urban areas where she has contingent deployed (Madrid, Valencia, Seville, Zaragoza, León, Las Palmas and Santa Cruz de Tenerife). The EMU is conducting surveys in areas of these cities where there may be an increased risk of the virus spreading. The EMU will be gradually deployed in other cities, in all places where it is necessary. They will carry out those actions necessary to help transport, people, goods or surveillance services will be carried out if necessary.
Pool Moncloa / Borja Puig de la BellacasaIn addition, all the means of the military hospitals will be made available to the Ministry of Health and the military pharmacy has been instructed to increase the production of the hydroalcoholic disinfectant solution and other generic medications that are necessary. Likewise, military doctors have been activated in the reserve.
The Armed Forces will collaborate with the National Police and the Civil Guard. If evacuations are necessary, the Air Force is available; as well as the Navy or the Marine Corps. Along with Social Affairs, steps will be taken to help the homeless, and the EMU and the Army will provide food resources.
