CORONAVIRUS: Spain to extend state of emergency by 15 days

As the deadly COVID-19 disease continues to ravage Spain, the Spanish has said it is planning to extend its state of emergency for another 15 days.

The Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez announced this on Sunday, as the country recorded 394 more deaths in 24 hours.

Sanchez, in an address to citizens in a televised briefing on Sunday, after meeting with health and security officials, said he expected the Parliament to approve his request to lengthen the order, which has been in place for over a week.

With the new deaths announced on Sunday, the total 1,720.

In a related development, the United Kingdom has asked its 1.5 million most vulnerable citizens to stay at home for the next 12 weeks to help shield them from coronavirus.

Communities Minister, Robert Jenrick, said authorities will be writing to those who had been identified to offer them assistance to maintain social distancing during the outbreak.

“This includes providing food, so they don’t have to leave the house,” he noted.

Jenrick made the announcement at Sunday’s daily press briefing at Downing Street, alongside Prime Minister Boris Johnson.