🔴 LIVE – Military to provide assistance as nationwide lockdown continues

The first full working week of the national state of alarm begins today, with restrictions in place for the movement of people.
Following on from the introduction of the emergency law on Saturday night, people will only be allowed to leave their homes to buy food and medicine, commute to work, or to provide care for sick or infirm relatives.

In statements issued last night, defence minister Margarita Robles said that the armed forces will be on hand to offer assistance nationwide, including UME medical support teams in major towns and cities.
Health minister Salvador Illa has said private hospitals will provide assistance for public health services nationwide, and that there would be daily updates on the number of cases in Spain every morning.

In Depth: Coronavirus outbreak in Spain
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Interior Minister, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, has also issued an update, stating that all police forces will now follow a single command structure.
Today will see the first meeting of the government’s Civil Protection Committee, which will be chaired by the Interior Minister. He is also to attend a video conference with EU member states representatives to discuss coordination cross border.
Airlines providing domestic and international flights have either cancelled or amended their flight schedules.
easyJet has cancelled all regular flights to the country from tomorrow, ad will operate rescue flights with details being posted on their website this morning. Ryanair has also significantly reduced the number of flights and is contacting passengers.
Last night the Irish minister for foreign affairs – Simon Coveney – said Irish citizens should return to the Republic before Thursday.

20k Irish in Spain on Holidays, U need to plan to fly home by midnight Thurs or face real uncertainty re travel. @Ryanair & @AerLingus will facilitate free changes to flight bookings & will increase capacity if needed. No need to panic or book for tomorrow, but do take note! pic.twitter.com/HrE6u2MLqR

— Simon Coveney (@simoncoveney) March 15, 2020

Meanwhile the Spanish government issued the same advice for their citizens holidaying abroad.
The British Foreign and Commonwealth office has said that those travelling to Spain from the UK should do so only if essential, and should contact their airline.

Last night there were 293 confirmed deaths due to the virus, with 7,800 cases reported nationwide.