Madrid Tightens Christmas Restrictions

The Madrid regional government has announced further restrictions on movement and gatherings over the festive season.

Speaking today, Madrid´s Health Chief, Enrique Ruiz Escudero, announced that the previous limits of up to 10 people meeting over Christmas would be reduced to a maximum of six.

Under previous guidelines the “rule of six” was to have been relaxed for the main festive days of  December 24, 25 and 31, and January 1 and 6.

A maximum of two different households are able to join together.

In addition Escudero announced the closure of Madrid´s borders from 23rd December to January 6th unless for visits to family or close friends.

The region will maintain the nighttime curfew from 12pm to 6am, except on New Year’s Eve and Christmas Eve, when it will start at 1.30am.

Although the number of Covid-19 cases had been on a downward trend, this week the figures have started to rise.

According to the latest Health Ministry’s figures, the 14-day cumulative rate for cases in the Madrid region is 262 per 100,000 inhabitants which is significantly higher than the national rate of 202.

The announcement came as the Madrid regional premier, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, joined with King Felipe and Queen Letizia to unveil a monument to health workers who have died due to the coronavirus.

To date the Madrid region has recorded 372,170 cases and 11,635 deaths out of a national toll of 1,805,633 cases and 48,777 deaths.