Falkirk district residents flee Spain’s Coronavirus nightmare

With soaring rates of infection in Spain the government last night imposed what it admits are “drastic” measures, including taking upon itself the ability to requisition goods, take over factories and override the country’s devolved administrations.

People will not generally be allowed to leave home except to buy food, medicines and other essential supplies - unless they are commuting to work or to care for a sick relative.

Schools, colleges and “non essential” retail businesses are closed.

In an address to the nation on TV prime minister Pedro Sanchez - whose wife has since tested positive with the virus - said the government would not hesitate to do everything needed to end the crisis.

Reader Ann Hamilton said the situation in Torrevieja, south of Alicante, was “scary stuff”, as Spain began its 15-day lockdown, with normally lively streets deserted and tourism business liquidated overnight.

“Only supermarkets and the chemist have opened”, she said. “Everyone has been advised to self-isolate as much as possible.

“Reportedly in the Alicante area the number of people proving positive was around 35 yesterday - unconfirmed.

“The problem now is that people from Madrid are trying to escape to holiday homes in the Costas”.

Another reader had tried to book a Jet2 flight but found “they are all fully booked until March 22”, while Robert Patrick in Tenerife - who had been supposed to fly home at 4pm yesterday - was instead “taken to a nice five star hotel and told to await more information”.

Judy Scott from Grangemouth, also in Torrevieja, said “everything” was closed apart from pharmaces and food stores - “even parks and beaches are closed”.

She added: “There were announcements made by loudspeaker, but we don’t speak Spanish so have no idea what it was.”

When she tried going to a restaurant a waiter said “the city was basically shutting down”.

Like other local people she was hoping to catch a flight back to Edinburgh Airport today.