Basque Country ready to soon declare health emergency

A health emergency is set to be declared in the Basque Country to help local authorities contain the spread of COVID-19, according to the regional government, EURACTIV’s partner EFE reported.

The Basque executive said it was ready to take strict measures after the High Court endorsed the possibility of requiring a “COVID-19 pass” or COVID-19 certificate in the Basque Country from customers in bars and restaurants.

The Basque region’s health minister Gotzone Sagardui and the regional government’s spokesperson, Bingen Zupiria, said that after the High Court’s decision, the health emergency would be declared “as soon as possible”.

The declaration of a health emergency allows the authorities to activate the local anti-pandemic law, which imposes heavy restrictions, EURACTIV’s partner EFE reported.

Under the previous health emergency in the Basque Country, which ended last October, hotels, shops, or cultural events were limited, and restrictions were imposed on the number of people per table in restaurants and bars.

However, the declaration of a health emergency does not allow the authorities to take tougher measures such as limiting fundamental rights, including travel, which would require a special decree by the government.

The announcement comes after 1,274 new COVID-19 infections were detected on Monday, a figure not seen in the region since the end of July. The accumulated incidence per 100,000 inhabitants in 14 days rose to 509.7 cases, the highest since mid-August.

Spain has confirmed one of the Omicron variant so far, EFE reported.

The Gregorio Marañón hospital in Madrid reported that the variant was found in a 51-year-old man who flew in from South Africa and that the patient was “feeling well”.

(Fernando Heller | EuroEFE.EURACTIV.es)