Spain steps up police checkpoints to stop Easter getaway traffic
Spanish police forces have stepped up patrols to clampdown on those breaking coronavirus lockdown conditions and attempting to escape the cities to second homes.
Spain Guardia Civil said they have set up 150 road blocks across Spain’s main roads to discourage unauthorised journeys and will also be carrying out mobile surveillance.
Por desgracia no estamos empezando las vacaciones, porque todos estamos trabajando para derrotar al #COVID19.
Por eso incrementamos los controles para evitar desplazamientos insolidarios que nos ponen a todos en riesgo#QuedateEnCasa
Queda #UnDiaMenos pic.twitter.com/cbeTDBE5tp
— Guardia Civil ??(@guardiacivil) April 8, 2020
Despite strict rules on when drivers are allowed to take the road, traffic at the start of the Easter break has increased as a minority defy orders to stay home and attempt to move to another part of the country.
Spain’s General Traffic Department (DGT) reported that there were traffic jams on main roads leading out of Madrid partly as a result of roadside checks on those attempting to leave the city.
Se incrementan los controles en #carretera y accesos a #ciudades para evitar desplazamientos indebidos a segundas residencias.
Esta #SemanaSanta participa en operación #QuédateEnCasa?.
Solo desplazamientos esenciales.#EsteVirusLoParamosUnidos pic.twitter.com/NVvo6wHALd
— Dir. Gral. Tráfico (@DGTes) April 8, 2020
Semana Santa is traditionally one of the busiest times on Spain’s roads, as well as Christmas and the start of the August summer holidays when millions of families leave the cities either to return to their family village or to head to the coast.
But police said the strategy to keep people at home was working with traffic down 70 percent on Spain’s highways during the first few days of Semana Santa compared to last year’s figures and traffic 75 percent less leaving and entering Spain’s largest cities.
READ ALSO: What you need to know about driving during Spain's coronavirus lockdown
Comments
See Also
Spain Guardia Civil said they have set up 150 road blocks across Spain’s main roads to discourage unauthorised journeys and will also be carrying out mobile surveillance.
Por desgracia no estamos empezando las vacaciones, porque todos estamos trabajando para derrotar al #COVID19.
— Guardia Civil ??(@guardiacivil) April 8, 2020
Por eso incrementamos los controles para evitar desplazamientos insolidarios que nos ponen a todos en riesgo#QuedateEnCasa
Queda #UnDiaMenos pic.twitter.com/cbeTDBE5tp
Despite strict rules on when drivers are allowed to take the road, traffic at the start of the Easter break has increased as a minority defy orders to stay home and attempt to move to another part of the country.
Spain’s General Traffic Department (DGT) reported that there were traffic jams on main roads leading out of Madrid partly as a result of roadside checks on those attempting to leave the city.
Se incrementan los controles en #carretera y accesos a #ciudades para evitar desplazamientos indebidos a segundas residencias.
— Dir. Gral. Tráfico (@DGTes) April 8, 2020
Esta #SemanaSanta participa en operación #QuédateEnCasa?.
Solo desplazamientos esenciales.#EsteVirusLoParamosUnidos pic.twitter.com/NVvo6wHALd
Semana Santa is traditionally one of the busiest times on Spain’s roads, as well as Christmas and the start of the August summer holidays when millions of families leave the cities either to return to their family village or to head to the coast.
But police said the strategy to keep people at home was working with traffic down 70 percent on Spain’s highways during the first few days of Semana Santa compared to last year’s figures and traffic 75 percent less leaving and entering Spain’s largest cities.
READ ALSO: What you need to know about driving during Spain's coronavirus lockdown
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.