- Title: Empty streets in Barcelona amid coronavirus fears
- Date: 14th March 2020
- Summary: BARCELONA, SPAIN (MARCH 14, 2020) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF COLUMBUS MONUMENT EMPTY LA RAMBLA STREET CLOSED RESTAURANTS' TERRACES ON LA RAMBLA SUBWAY STATION 'DRASSANES' IN LA RAMBLA PEOPLE RUNNING ON LA RAMBLA VARIOUS OF ROYAL SQUARE WITH RESTAURANTS' TERRACES CLOSED PORTALS OF ROYAL SQUARE WITH TERRACES CLOSED RESTAURANT WORKER WEARING MASK AND GLOVES WOMAN LEAVING SUPERMARKET WEARING MASK AND GLOVES AND CARRYING GROCERIES WOMAN WEARING MASK AND GLOVES OPENING CAR DOOR WOMAN WEARING MASK AND FASTENING MOTORBIKE HELMET WOMAN AND MAN WEARING MASKS AND HELMETS / GROCERIES ON MOTORCYCLE (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) MARISA, WEARING MASK AND GLOVES, SAYING: "Yes, I think they did it a little late, and yes, it is the only thing we have left, to confine ourselves. It is not comfortable for anyone but it is the best we can do, get out the necessary and having a little of protection, perhaps disposable gloves also for not touching doors or keys when we enter, that kind of thing, and well, nothing else, staying quiet at home." (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) (left to right) RICARDO PEREZ, 59, TAXI DRIVER AND LEIDA GARCIA, ENTREPRENEUR, SAYING: "(Ricardo:) We must all be aware that for the good of all we must isolate ourselves, an only person who is left with the virus can spread it again. (Leida:) If all those who live in a house do not isolate themselves, it is useless because then one enters, the other leaves, and even if there are people inside the house, if they constantly go in and out, it is useless. (Ricardo:) It is citizen consciousness of each one, we must be aware that we must drop our grain of sand. (Leida:) It is a very big problem but it has to be done, because economically we are very affected. (Ricardo:) Right." (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) JORGE, 53, BUSINESSMAN, SAYING: "All this is worrying, let's hope that it lasts not only 15 days, but a month or two, that we have to be careful at home and going out as little as possible." PEOPLE CARRYING GROCERIES AND WALKING AWAY VARIOUS OF PASEO DE GRACIA AVENUE SHOWING LITTLE TRAFFIC VARIOUS OF CLOSED STORES
- Embargoed: 28th March 2020 11:48
- Keywords: Barcelona Catalonia Spain bars coronavirus shops state of emergency
- Location: BARCELONA, SPAIN
- City: BARCELONA, SPAIN
- Country: Spain
- Topics: Health/Medicine
- Reuters ID: LVA001C50X0EF
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Barcelona was paralyzed and the streets were almost empty on Saturday (March 14) as the country prepares to enter a 15-day state of emergency in a sharp escalation of its fight against the coronavirus.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez did not spell out what emergency powers he would use, or what help shut-down businesses would get. The order allows the government to confine people, ration supplies and requisition factories and buildings, apart from private homes.
But, in a sign of brewing tensions between regions and his administration, some regional leaders called on the central government to provide more support.
The regional government of Catalonia said it wanted and was ready to confine the whole region due to the epidemic and asked the central authorities to block its access by air, rail and water, regional leader Quim Torra said.
The goal is to restrict passenger entry into the region from coronavirus-risk zones in the rest of Spain and Europe, but the proposed measure would not block important freight road traffic from Spain to France, a Catalan government spokesman added.
Although advised not to, people would still be allowed to move within Catalonia - Spain's second-wealthiest region of over 7 million - except in those towns already on lockdown, he added.
In the first large-scale action of its kind in Spain, Catalan authorities on Thursday (March 12) locked down four towns north of Barcelona, while on Friday they ordered the closure of gyms, nightclubs and shopping centres, apart from ones selling food.
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