Spain is not yet in the "de-escalation phase" of the coronavirus, warns Minister of Health

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Decreases the number of infections by covid-19 in Spain

(CNN) - The Minister of Health of Spain, Salvador Illa, warned that the country is not yet in a "de-escalation phase", even when the government is preparing measures to gradually end the current movement restrictions in order to face the new outbreak of coronavirus.

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"Spain continues in a state of confinement," said Salvador Illa during a press conference, after a meeting of the Spanish cabinet. "We are not yet in a de-escalation phase, Spain is not yet in a de-escalation phase," he insisted.

A small number of so-called "non-essential" employees - who have been out of work for two weeks - from certain sectors, such as construction, will be able to return to their jobs on Monday. Trains and other means of public transport will slowly begin to increase their operations, but the minister asked everyone who is able to continue working from home.

Those who return to work on Monday must follow strict social distancing rules, Illa said.

"It is very important to maintain a social distance of at least one meter, preferably two meters, during your commute to work," he said, adding that the same measures should be guaranteed in workplaces and in any "business open to the public."

Illa also argued that Spain has been able to "stop the pandemic", reducing the infection rate and increasing the number of deaths due to covid-19.

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"The data shows that we are meeting our goals, but we remain in an important phase of the pandemic," he insisted and warned that the contagion is still happening and that new cases continue to be diagnosed.

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