Madrid Public Health Director Resigns Over Lockdown Easing

Madrid public health director resigns as region seeks to lift lockdown

The director of public health for the Madrid region has resigned, apparently in protest at the regional government’s decision to seek to loosen lockdown restrictions in the area of Spain hardest hit by the coronavirus.

Yolanda Fuentes stepped down as the Madrid regional government, led by Isabel Díaz Ayuso, prepares to seek permission from the national health ministry to move to the next phase of de-escalation from Monday 11 May.

The next stage - known as phase one - will see the reopening of small businesses, and restaurant and bar terraces reopening at 30% capacity. Hotels and tourist accommodation will reopen, with the exception of communal areas.

Fuentes is understood to have had grave reservations about the move, as Madrid remains badly affected by the virus. Of the 221,447 confirmed cases in Spain, 63,870 are in and around the capital. To date, more than 8,500 people have died from Covid-19 in the region.