MADRID – Now that the Omicron variant of the coronavirus has also been identified in Spain, the government fears a further rise in the rate of infection. Nevertheless, it was decided to stick to the current measures so as not to endanger economic activities again.
As we write, three cases of infection with the Omicron variant have been confirmed in Spain. These are in the Madrid region, Catalonia, and the Balearic Islands. This is a worrying development, according to the government. Especially now that another long weekend (Puente de Constitución) is approaching, in which people will visit family and friends.
Do not stop economic activity again
However, because a high percentage of the population in Spain is fully vaccinated against Covid-19 (more than 91%), the Spanish government has decided not to resort to previous prevention measures. Only the mask obligation will remain in force in public indoor spaces, for the time being, a measure that has been implemented more consistently in Spain than in most other countries. This should be sufficient to face the epidemiological situation without locking everything back in full or in part. For example, the Spanish government has consciously chosen not to cause further problems for sectors such as the catering industry and the cultural sector.
There will be no pandemic law
According to government spokesman Isabel Rodríguez, the current situation does not yet require tightening of the measures. However, developments over the next few weeks should show whether this might need to change.
The adoption of a pandemic law, which a number of regions have requested, is currently out of the question. It, therefore, remains impossible for sub-administrations to introduce far-reaching freedom-restricting measures without having to go to court for this. Decisions on the measures will therefore be taken jointly under ‘co-administration’ in the Interterritorial Council for Public Health. Furthermore, the Spanish government believes this council has sufficient legal tools at its disposal to deal with any pandemic scenarios.
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