Spain police enforce traffic controls ahead of Easter

Police in Spain were enforcing strict traffic controls on Friday to stop residents from venturing out as the Easter holiday weekend begins.

Authorities have urged people not to head to their weekend homes outside the city to avoid the spreading the new coronavirus.

Only essential movement is allowed under the mandatory lockdown which began on March 15th.

In the northeastern region of Catalonia, police released drone footage showing largely empty highways and tolls that would normally be clogged with traffic on the first day of the long Easter weekend.

Those caught repeatedly infringing restrictions imposed under the State of Emergency face heavy fines and risk a prison sentence.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough, that clear up in two to three weeks.

For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and could lead to death.