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Spain declares state of emergency in Madrid
The Spanish government has declared a 15-day state of emergency in Madrid and nine nearby cities to combat rising cases of Covid-19.
The capital has been at the centre of a political row as the high court in Madrid on Thursday rejected measures forced on the region by the central government, which included the partial lockdown of the Spanish capital and nine neighbouring municipalities.
Madrid health minister Enrique Ruiz Escudero insisted that measures already in place were working and that the national government order was "a measure no Madrileño will understand".
Late last Friday, all non-essential movement in and out of Madrid and the other nine cities was banned, despite the opposition of local authorities.
When their court challenge was successful on Thursday night, Prime Minister Pedro Snchez decided to move quickly, ahead of a holiday weekend, with Spaniards celebrating their national day on Monday.
By Louise Longman, Contributing Editor (UK)
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