Basque Government studies reestablishing state of health emergency

Society

Coronavirus

Agencies | Drafting

The minister stated that the virus “continues to gain ground” in the Basque Country, especially in Bizkaia.

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The Basque government is analyzing the possibility of restore the state of health emergency, already decreed last March, if the seriousness of the epidemiological situation in Euskadi continues to grow at the current rate, with 569 new positives for COVID-19 in the last 24 hours.

“If gravity has the rhythm it maintains now, it would be time to declare it (the health emergency). It is time to assess whether the situation justifies it,” said the Minister of Health, Nekane Murga, at a press conference this Thursday.

He has claimed that the virus “continues to gain ground“in Euskadi and has said that the COVID-19 monitoring commission has verified the”severity of the situation“, especially in Bizkaia.

For this reason, the counselor has met with the general deputy of Bizkaia, Unai Rementeria, to analyze the possibility of launching new actions to stop the advance of COVID-19.

The Executive has presented allegations against the contentious-administrative appeal filed before the Superior Court of Justice of the Basque Country (TSJPV) by the hospitality associations of Bizkaia and Gipuzkoa, who claim the precautionary suspension of time restrictions to nightlife ordered by the Basque Government.

Murga has indicated the respect that the allegations are based on experience on where the virus outbreaks and outbreaks arise. “Any type of activity after certain hours does not comply with the distancing and adequate security measures,” he remarked.

Likewise, it has agreed with the measure adopted by the Xunta de Galicia de prohibit smoking in the street when the safety distance cannot be maintained, and he recalled that the Basque Government “already raised it at the time”.

“A smoker, when exhaling the smoke, can spread viruses farther away than in normal breathing, so we totally agree with that measure, “he said.

The counselor has ensured that the measures adopted by public administrations “will be of no use if citizens relax their degree of awareness”, and has asked that keep groups and gatherings as low as possible with proximity, both outdoors and indoors, since many lights are produced in family and social gatherings.

In response to a question about the possibility that a curfew could be decreed in the Basque Country, pointed out by the Lehendakari himself, the minister pointed out “there is no magic action” to stop the rising curve of the virus and that “this is not the time nor is the situation “to order a new confinement.

The Executive is reviewing the protocols and preventive measures for the start of the school yearsaid Murga, who has expressed his hope that until the date of the return to classes the epidemiological situation will improve.

Follow the recommendationss in the face of the coronavirus from the health authorities. In the face of fake news, pay attention only to official sources. If you live in the CAV and have symptoms, call your usual health center. The Health Council will also attend to people on the phone 900 20 30 50, offering information and solving doubts about the coronavirus. If you live in Navarra, call the Health Council phone number: 948 290 290. Remember, the most effective way to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is hand washing. Masks are mandatory in the CAV from July 16, and in Navarra from July 17. In Iparralde it is compulsory in “closed public spaces” from July 20.