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ARCHIVED - The military, all police forces and law enforcement bodies are now controlled by the Interior Minister
Effectively, a semi-military curfew is now in place with all law enforcement bodies coordinated by the Minister of the Interior
In the space of just a few days the response to the spread of the coronavirus in Spain has evolved from localized restrictions on movements to what in some parts of the country is to all extents and purposes a military lockdown, with the various forces of law and order receiving support from the Military Emergencies Unit (UME) in order to ensure that the orders for people to remain in their homes unless absolutely necessary are obeyed.
The State of Emergency declared by the Spanish government on Saturday gives sweeping powers to the Interior Minister, who is now in control of all of the forces of law and order and is charged with ensuring that the State of Emergency is enforced.
Prior to this point, the local councils controlled the Policia Local in their municipalities, the Guardia Civíl and the various military bodies including the Military emergencies Unit, the Army, Navy, Air Force etc were all separate bodies, but this declaration cedes total control to the Ministry of Interior, giving the Ministry total power to control this body of resource and undertake the orders of the Spanish Government throughout this exceptional period.
On Sunday around 900 members of the UME were deployed to major cities such as Valencia, Sevilla, Zaragoza, León, Las Palmas and Santa Cruz de Tenerife, while patrols from the military base in Torrejón de Ardoz moved into Madrid to collaborate with the Policía Local, the national police and the Guardia Civil. In effect all of these different law enforcement bodies are now united under the command of Fernando Grande-Marlaska, the Minister of the Interior, their mission being to ensure that restrictions on movements are taken as seriously as they must be if the efforts to control the spread of Covid-19 are to meet with success.
The central command unit of the united force and law is headed by General Miguel Ángel Villarroya and under his command are the UME, the health inspection authorities and all three armed forces: apart from policing the streets of Spain, his remit includes the decision to increase production of disinfectants and other medical and sanitation products, according to the Ministry of Defence.
Of course, the presence of the military on the streets of Spain is likely to cause alarm, but it is fully justified: with shops closed, people confined to their homes and premises left unguarded the criminal elements of society are bound to see opportunities for their own short-term gain, and policing is more important than ever in these circumstances. For this reason roadblocks will be set up and drivers may be asked to show identity documents and to explain where they are going and why: those failing to provide satisfactory explanations may be fined, as well as being ordered to return home immediately.
All over Spain, including the Region of Murcia, there are people who fail to appreciate the seriousness of the situation. In the current circumstances people are only allowed out of their homes for a limited number of reasons: to buy food and essential supplies, to visit the doctor and chemists (and the vet), to go to work where working from home is not an option and to visit ailing relatives. At all times, those leaving the family home must do alone unless they suffer from limited mobility and require the presence of a helper.
Apart from enforcing the restrictions on movement, the aim of the police and military presence on the roads and streets is also to ensure the free movement of essential goods and services during the crisis, including medical staff travelling to attend to the sick, and to maintain critical infrastructures such as airports, power stations and railway stations fully operational.
In short, the military, all of the police forces and even private security firms are now under the direct control of the Spanish government and will be highly visible enforcing law and order and making sure that we remain in our properties and don´t leave them unless absolutely necessary in order to protect us all from the spread of the virus throughout the lockdown period.
Fines are already being issued to those who breach the rules; a friend of a friend was fined on Sunday for going on the beach at la Azohía, so be aware that lockdown is lockdown and although the weekend was fairly lax to allow the public to settle down to the idea of lockdown, and allow tourists to return home etc, this week the controls will necessarily be tightened to prevent the virus spreading.
Follow Murcia Today on Facebook to keep up to date with all the latest updates locally for the Region of Murcia and the main information for the rest of Spain: https://www.facebook.com/MurciaToday/. Please note, Facebook is limiting the number of posts we are able to make in local groups, and the sheer volume of incoming information is overwhelming, so all updates and cancellations of events etc in the Murcia region will be posted on this main page and may not be shared into many local groups.
PLEASE help to support the flow and sharing of information by following this page and sharing the information into groups to which you have access.
What to do if you are in the Region of Murcia and believe you may have contracted the virus
The regional government has set up a special helpline to supply information to members of the public (900 121212), and also urges people to call the 112 emergency services line if they suspect that they may have contracted the virus rather than going straight to hospital or to a medical centre. Medical staff will be sent to your home to test for the virus.
The Region’s public hospitals have limited the number of visitors to just one per patient.
Sensible precautions
The advice being issued to members of the public by medical authorities all over the world coincides on the following points:
- Wash hands frequently with either soap and water or a sanitiser gel
- Catch coughs and sneezes with disposable tissues – and throw the tissues away immediately after use before immediately washing your hands!
- If you don’t have a tissue, use your sleeve – and wash the item of clothing used at the next opportunity
- AVOID touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
- AVOID close contact with people who are unwell
- Don´t panic!
Cartagena
El Carmoli
Islas Menores and Mar de Cristal
La Manga Club
La Manga del Mar Menor
La Puebla
La Torre Golf Resort
La Union
Los Alcazares
Los Belones
Los Nietos
Los Urrutias
Mar Menor Golf Resort
Pilar de la Horadada
Playa Honda / Playa Paraiso
Portman
Roldan and Lo Ferro
San Javier
San Pedro del Pinatar
Santa Rosalia Lake and Life resort
Terrazas de la Torre Golf Resort
Torre Pacheco
Aledo
Alhama de Murcia
Bolnuevo
Camposol
Condado de Alhama
Fuente Alamo
Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort
Lorca
Mazarron
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Puerto Lumbreras
Sierra Espuna
Totana
Abaran
Alcantarilla
Archena
Blanca
Corvera
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Lorqui
Molina de Segura
Mosa Trajectum
Murcia City
Peraleja Golf Resort
Ricote
Sucina
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El Valle Golf Resort
Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort
Hacienda Riquelme Golf Resort
Islas Menores and Mar de Cristal
La Manga Club
La Torre Golf Resort
Mar Menor Golf Resort
Mazarron Country Club
Mosa Trajectum
Peraleja Golf Resort
Santa Rosalia Lake and Life resort
Terrazas de la Torre Golf Resort
La Zenia
Lomas de Cabo Roig
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