Madrid requests the "urgent" logistical intervention of the Army and the incorporation of 300 extra-community doctors

The Governing Council of the Community of Madrid has decided this Wednesday to request the Central Executive the intervention of the Army in the region to help in the virus containment strategy implemented in 37 basic health areas.

This was announced by the government spokesman and vice president, Ignacio Aguado, during a press conference that followed the appointment of Isabel Díaz Ayuso with her advisers.

[Check here if you live in an affected area and the list of measures]

• The virus exceeds 1,000 infections per 100,000 inhabitants in 16 unrestricted areas in Madrid

• Model of proof of mobility of the Community of Madrid

"We have decided to formally request urgent military logistical support for the installation of tents, conducting tests and disinfection work in each of the areas with restrictions in force," Aguado began to list.

"Also, the deployment of 222 members of the National Police and Civil Guard in the 37 basic health areas to carry out inspection tasks for compliance with the corresponding quarantines and sanction of non-compliance," he added.

"And we will ask for an express reform of the current regulations to incorporate the 300 non-EU doctors who were working in the first wave, and who now we cannot hire," has finished a list of requests that Madrid would like to be in force on Monday.

At the beginning of the year, Más Madrid took a proposal to the regional Assembly so that the Community could have extra-community doctors, thus alleviating its staff deficits.

The Government, which make up PP and Cs, rejected the measure, as did Vox.

The exhaustion of health professionals, demanded since February beyond the limit, and faced with the virus, the casualties of infected colleagues and infinite shifts, now represents a turning point.

Madrid needs more doctors as soon as possible, because the pandemic rebounds, shaping a second wave.

"It is not the competence of the Community of Madrid to modify state regulations to allow the hiring of non-community doctors," said Aguado, despite the fact that the statute of public personnel allows the initiative to be taken by both the Cortes and the regional Assemblies (that is why there are Communities that already have these professionals).

The managers of the Community of Madrid, who will meet this Thursday with their counterparts from the central government, ask that all these changes come into force next Monday.

An expansion of the number of areas with restricted mobility in the region is also planned for that date, and the possibility of applying more time and capacity limitations to all shops in the Community.

It already exceeds 1,000 infections per 100,000 inhabitants in 16 unrestricted areas in Madrid.

For at least 14 days, starting this Monday, September 21, and throughout the territory of the Community of Madrid, meetings, private or in the street, of more than six people are prohibited except for cohabitants and the workplace or institutional.

In addition, there are new restrictions on mobility that affect 37 basic health areas in six districts of the capital and seven other municipalities, which together total 850,000 citizens (13% of the population).

The entrances and exits of these areas are restricted except to go to work, health or educational centers, financial entities, judicial or notarial summons, renewal of documents, exams, return home, care for the elderly and dependents or cause of major cause .

All businesses in the 37 basic health areas affected by specific restrictions have to close at 10 pm (except for pharmacies, health centers or gas stations), and their capacity is limited to 50%.

In the case of those dedicated to the hospitality industry, the 50% capacity limitation applies indoors and outdoors, and consumption in bars is prohibited.