Spain is beginning to ease strict lockdown measures that have brought its economy to a standstill.

People in manufacturing, construction and some services are being allowed to return to work, but must stick to strict safety guidelines.

The rest of the population must still remain at home.

Spain is one of the countries worst hit by the coronavirus.

Almost 17,500 people with Covid-19 have died in the country, but the rate of new infections has been falling.

Italy – the hardest-hit country in Europe, with almost 19,900 deaths – will allow a narrow range of companies to resume operations on April 14.

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Spain’s health ministry said on April 13 that the daily number of deaths had dipped slightly, with 517 reported in the previous 24 hours, compared with 619 announced on April 12. The official total death toll is now 17,489.

The number of new infections continues to drop, with 3,477 confirmed cases bringing the total to 169,496.

PM Pedro Sánchez warned over the weekend: “We are still far from victory, from the moment when we will recover normality in our lives.”

“We are all keen to go back out on the streets… but our desire is even greater to win the war and prevent a relapse,” the prime minister added.

On April 13, the government lifted some of the restrictions put in place on March 27 and allowed businesses whose employees cannot work remotely to reopen.

Officials intend to distribute 10 million face masks on public transport.

Pedro Sánchez said the decision was taken after consulting a committee of experts.

The prime minister also noted that Spain had not entered the “second phase” of the fight against the coronavirus, when there would be any further loosening of the lockdown. That was at least two weeks away and would “be very gradual”, he added.

Builders can only work in areas away from local residents, so they cannot yet go back to doing home improvements.