MADRID, Sept. 18 (Xinhua) -- The regional government of the Community of Madrid announced a series of new measures on Friday, including limiting movement out of several areas with certain exceptions, in an attempt to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
At a press conference, Enrique Ruiz-Escudero, head of the region's Health Department, explained that as from Monday, movement will be restricted in 37 areas, six health districts and eight municipalities. This measure will affect around 850,000 people in the capital itself and in outlying towns such as Fuenlabrada, Humanes, and Getafe.
Restaurants and bars will be limited to 50 percent capacity and will have to close by 10 p.m. Public parks and gardens will remain closed. Gatherings will be limited to a six people throughout the community.
The incidence of the coronavirus in the Madrid region as a whole is around 650 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, according to the Spanish Health Ministry, but in some of the affected areas, this rate is as high as 1,200 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.
The Community of Madrid has reported 1,212 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours compared to 1,501 on Thursday.
Nationwide, the Spanish Ministry of Health has reported a total of 640,040 cases and 30,495 deaths. Enditem
