Government activates protocols for detection and prevention of coronavirus in Spain

Moncloa Palace, Madrid

The Council of Ministers analysed the report from the Ministry of Health on the procedures establishes for the detection, monitoring, prevention and tracking of coronavirus in Spain.

As of Tuesday, no-one has been diagnosed as affected with the disease in our country, explained the Minister for the Treasury and Government Spokesperson, María Jesús Montero, who highlighted that all of the State's resources have been activated to provide an effective response in the event of potential cases. "Anyone who visits a health centre will be attended by professionals who will follow a protocol in perfect coordination with the rest of the European Union and with the World Health Organization (WHO) for the correct diagnosis and, as the case may be, confirmation of the disease".

The Government Spokesperson remarked that the Coordination and Monitoring Committee, which is tracking this disease in Spain, will meet every day to provide constant updates on the information available in collaboration with the regional health authorities.

María Jesús Montero also announced that the government has decided to repatriate those Spanish citizens currently in the Chinese city of Wuhan, where the main outbreak of the disease has taken place "under all due conditions of protection and safety". The Government Spokesperson added that the possibility is being studied of them travelling in the same plane that the French Government plans to charter shortly to transfer French nationals in the city back to Europe.

María Jesús Montero recalled that Spain has no direct flight connections with Wuhan and that, to date, and following the recommendations of the WHO, no European Union country has applied measures to restrict travel or trade with China.

Aid for those affected by Storm Gloria

Pool Moncloa/Borja Puig de la BellacasaMaría Jesús Montero reported that the government is analysing "in great detail" the effects of Storm Gloria, which left 14 people dead, 82 injured, two missing and significant material damage in various parts of Spain.

The Ministry of Home Affairs announced that the Insurance Compensation Consortium has registered more than 10,000 claims amounting to 71 million euros, and will begin to pay out compensation on 7 February. The government estimates that 85% of these claims will have been paid out within four months.

The government's aim, claimed María Jesús Montero, is for the assessment of the rest of the damage, albeit provisionally, to be carried out as quickly as possible so that those affected can receive the aid provided for in the National Civil Protection System Act (personal, material, physical and work-related damage) in a reasonable period of time.

The preliminary reports issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs specify that the Emergency Military Unit mobilised 355 members and 107 vehicles in Teruel and Castellon. Some 1,800 Guardia Civil officers and a similar number of police officers also took part in the aid and rescue work. Furthermore, upon a request from the Directorate-General for Civil Protection of the Regional Government of Catalonia, the Copernicus system has been activated to obtain maps to assess the areas affected and monitor the surroundings of the Rivers Ter and Tordera in the province of Girona.

The minister and Government Spokesperson highlighted the high technical and professional level of preparation of the professionals that have taken part in the emergency work as well as the cooperation between public authorities to provide an effective response to citizens in the areas affected by the storm.

Organic structure of ministerial departments

The government approved a Royal Decree establishing the organic structure of the ministerial departments.

María Jesús Montero declared that the government seeks to commence the tasks and projects that each department wishes to perform without further delay and as swiftly as possible. In addition, she indicated that only those departments considered absolutely necessary have been set up to meet Spain's priority goals as a country, develop the government programme and ensure the effective and efficient functioning of Central Government.

Other agreements

• Approval of a Royal Decree modifying the regulatory terms of the granting of aid to promote the integration of agri-food associative bodies
• Authorisation of a 739,000-euro investment in forestry restoration works in Castellon and Alicante to alleviate the damage caused by the DANA (cold snap) in September
• Declaration of the repair works on a wall in As Malloadas Creek as an emergency in Monforte de Lemos (Lugo)
• Electricity supply contract put out for tender for installations in the District of the Taibilla canals for the years 2020-2021.

Current affairs

Pool Moncloa/Borja Puig de la BellacasaMaría Jesús Montero began her speech at the press briefing following the Council of Ministers by regretting that there have already been seven mortal victims of gender-based violence without even reaching the end of the first month of the year, which could rise to eight if a case on early Tuesday morning in Barcelona is confirmed. "Each one of these lives ending prematurely is a further ground for fighting for equality in this country and with absolute determination against gender-based violence".

When asked about the meeting between the Minister for Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda, José Luis Ábalos, and the Vice-President of Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez, the Government Spokesperson responded that "José Luis Ábalos averted a diplomatic crisis and successfully worked to avoid any type of conflict that could have prejudiced the country". She also stated that Delcy Rodríguez did not step on Spanish soil, and hence Spain has "strictly complied with the indications set for European Union countries".

Territorial dialogue

The Government Spokesperson announced that on 6 February, the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, will meet with the President of the Regional Government of Catalonia, Joaquim Torra. This meeting will be the first that Pedro Sánchez will maintain over the coming months with the presidents of all the regional governments.

María Jesús Montero stressed the need for dialogue, both in Catalonia "to seek points of interest and resolve a conflict that has been raging for far too long" and in the rest of the country "to hear out claims that concern citizens and offer joint solutions". The Government Spokesperson also reiterated that the government will also look for an agreement with the parliamentary groups in the Lower House for the renewal of State institutions and the Toledo Pact, among other issues.

Economy

María Jesús Montero announced that the Fiscal and Financial Policy Council will meet in the coming weeks with the aim of addressing the stability targets for the regional governments, local authorities, social security and the State. It will also address the recovery of rights that citizens had taken away due to the crisis in such areas as long-term care, housing, social policies, healthcare and education.

The government, she stressed, continues to talk with European authorities with the aim of agreeing on a path that allows for the fiscal targets, the consolidation of growth and job creation to be met.

At a labour level, the Government Spokesperson referred to the Labour Force Survey published on Tuesday, which confirms that the rate of job creation rose in the fourth quarter of last year. María Jesús Montero highlighted that more than 400,000 jobs were created in 2019, that the unemployment rate is at its lowest level in the last ten years, at 13.8%, and that there are 9.15 million women in work, the highest number on record.

Non official translation