Politicians debate lockdown as Spain sees 435 more deaths

By Alyssa McMurtry

OVIEDO, Spain (AA) - As Spain’s politicians discuss what a partial return to normalcy could look like, the country registered another 435 deaths on Wednesday, bringing the total official death toll to 21,717.

More than 4,000 new cases were also confirmed, according to the Health Ministry. In total, 209,706 people have tested positive for the virus in Spain and nearly 86,000 people have recovered.

Spain remains on a strict lockdown but the government announced that starting this weekend, some restrictions will be lifted on children who have been confined to their homes since March 14.

Restrictions have previously been eased on non-essential workers in sectors like construction and manufacturing.

On Tuesday, a minister announced that anyone under 14-year-old would be allowed to accompany their parents on errands like going to the supermarket or the pharmacy.

But after a flood of criticism poured in questioning why children would only be able to go to enclosed spaces where there is a higher risk of contagion instead of for a walk around the block, the government took a U-turn.

The details still need to be solidified, but officials later rectified and said children will soon be able to go for short strolls.

Speaking in parliament this morning, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said the de-escalation of measures will be “slow and gradual.”

“But we are now preparing to enter into a new normalcy,” he said, warning that he expects “advances and setbacks” in the fight against the disease.

Sanchez is in parliament requesting authorization to extend the state of emergency in the country until May 9.

He is expected to win support for the measures, but Pablo Casado, leader of the opposition, criticized the government for “improvisation” and “incompetence”.

Today it was announced that the famous La Tomatina festival, which draws in thousands of tourists for a massive tomato fight and was scheduled to occur on August 26, will be canceled this year.