Spain declares coronavirus state of emergency

Spain has declared a new state of emergency in an effort to curb soaring coronavirus infections.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced on Sunday (October 25) that the measures to come into force that evening will require all regions except the Canary Islands to impose a nighttime curfew and limit the number of people allowed to meet to six.

Travel between regions will also be banned in certain cases.

Spain imposed one of the toughest lockdowns early on in the pandemic and then relaxed curbs over the summer.

But like many other European countries it has seen a second wave hit in recent weeks, and now has one of the highest numbers of infections in Western Europe.

Total cases have now passed a million and the death toll is nearing 35,000.

The state of emergency will need parliamentary approval to last beyond 15 days

and Sanchez said he would be asking for its extension up until May 9.