Hundreds of Spaniards exercise outside for first time in seven weeks as coronavirus lockdown eased

Spain's Prime Minister has urged residents to continue to be cautious amid easing of the lockdown measures
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Imogen Braddick2 May 2020

Joggers, cyclists and surfers across Spain have emerged from their homes as adults were allowed out for exercise for the first time in seven weeks.

The Government has started to ease strict coronavirus restrictions after Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced a four-phase plan to return the country to what he termed "the new normality" by the end of June.

To avoid overcrowding as people get outside, the Government has implemented a shift system, allocating different time slots to different age groups.​

In Barcelona on Saturday, runners and cyclists crowded paths near the beach, while surfers and paddle-boarders were out enjoying the waves.

Joggers take to the streets in Madrid
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Mar Visser, 45, who lost her job as an events organiser, was jogging along the path in Castelldefels, a town near Barcelona.

"I have been longing for this. It beats running in my house or doing yoga or Pilates inside," she said.

In Madrid, cyclists and skateboarders streamed along the city's wide boulevards, ducking under police tape set up to prevent people congregating in common areas

Hit by one of the world's worst Covid-19 outbreaks, Spain imposed a strict lockdown in March, confining most of the population to their homes for all but essential trips.

People exercising outdoors in Barcelona as coronavirus lockdown measures continue to be eased
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Sports and recreational walks were banned as authorities scrambled to stop the disease from spreading and sought to ease the burden on the healthcare system.

The country has recorded a coronavirus death toll of 25,100, according to health ministry data on Saturday, and more than 216,582 cases.

Charlotte Fraser-Prynne, 41, a British government affairs consultant, was among the first to savour the new freedom to exercise and headed out for a run at 6am near Madrid's Retiro Park.

While the park remained closed, hundreds of people were running on the pavement around it.

The Prime Minister has called for caution as joggers and cyclists get back out onto the streets
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"I have been looking forward to this for weeks. I was joking with my friends that I would be the first out in Madrid. I am very happy to be out after six weeks of yoga videos," she said.

Mr Sanchez called on people to follow guidelines on social distancing and to act with caution.

"Today we take a new step in the measures to ease the confinement but we must do it with prudence and responsibility. The virus is still there," he tweeted.

Spaniards are now allowed out to exercise after weeks in lockdown
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As the rate of infection has fallen, Mr Sanchez's Government has shifted its focus towards reopening the country in a phased way and reviving a badly battered economy.

Businesses that operate by appointment, such as hairdressers, will be allowed to open from Monday, while bars and restaurants will remain closed for at least another week.

Residents are allowed to walk with family, and exercise outdoors from 6-10am and from 8-11pm, go out with children from 12-7pm, and elderly people will be allowed to go out from 10-12am and from 7-8pm.

The World Health Organization warned on Friday that countries must lift lockdowns gradually, while being ready to restore restrictions if the virus jumps back.

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