The Madrid High Court ruled on Thursday that it would not ratify the coronavirus restrictions that were forced on the region by the central government, despite the opposition of the regional administration to implement them. The court reached its decision on the basis that the measures infringe on citizens’ fundamental rights.
There was confusion on Thursday as to the immediate effects of the ruling, although it was confirmed that fines cannot now be levied on citizens who flout the perimetral confinement of 10 cities in the region, including the Spanish capital. The court ruling does not, however, have an effect on the other restrictions imposed, such as capacity limits for bars and restaurants, and early closing times for all establishments, as well as a limit of six people for meetings both in public and private.
By midday on Thursday, the Madrid regional government had yet to comment on the ruling or announce what it would do next. It is unknown whether the 45 basic healthcare areas with the highest infection rates that were placed under similar restrictions by the Madrid regional government before the central administration intervened will be subject to those measures once more.
Read more: Madrid High Court strikes down Health Ministry’s coronavirus restrictions
