At a meeting yesterday between the Minister of Public health and his regional counterparts, autonomous leaders were given the go-ahead to tighten restrictions.

This authorisation was agreed unanimously and will affect the present restrictions in force in Andalucia if PM Juanma Moreno decides to restrict movement over Christmas.

It was decided that each region can restrict people moving in and out of their territory and the amount of people permitted on Christmas and New Year’s Eve get togethers, for example.

The reason why this decision was taken was that the majority of regional leaders had expressed their wish to do so. However, although restrictions can be tightened, regional governments cannot enforce stay-home orders like the one imposed during the first Lockdown.

So, although originally it was contemplated that people can leave and enter Andalucia between the 23rd of December and the 6th of January next year, this could be stopped. In fact, movement could be restricted further to provincial or municipal levels, although the latter is unlikely.

The amount of people permitted to attend a Christmas feast at home (10) can also be lowered and the curfew times could be brought forward from 01.30h on the two festive eves.

“We are seeing [contagion] increases even before the Christmas holidays begin and without being able to see all the possible effects brought about by the long, bank holiday,” said Health Minister, Sr. Illa.

The Spanish PM, Pedro Sánchez said, “It solely depends on us to keep the door closed against the Third Wave after Christmas,” adding, “if we have to tighten the Christmas plan, then have no doubt that the Central Government will propose it to the regional ones.”

Update: Junta PM, Juanma Moreno has since announced that he presently has no intention of changing arrangements as he considers that this joint decision was really with other regions of Spain in mind where the situation is worse, rather than in Andalucía.

(News: Spain)