First day of a more restrictive lockdown in Spain, flags fly at half mast

Spain is beginning its first day of even more restrictive lockdown after the government banned all non-essential workers from leaving their homes in a bid to arrest the spread of the coronavirus.

As the official order was not published until late last night, some businesses are being allowed an extra day to put their affairs in order before observing the ban from tomorrow.

The country has so far recorded almost 80,000 cases of the virus and logged another record single-day toll yesterday after 838 people died between Saturday and Sunday.

The Madrid regional government has declared a mourning period for those killed by the disease, ordering flags to be flown at half-mast on official buildings and asking for a minute’s silence starts midday each day.