Spain churches comply with stricter coronavirus measures

Mrid's regional government is furr restricting family reunions and social garings to curb a sharp spike in coronavirus contagion just as schools are set to re-open.

Numbers of people attending funerals, burials, weddings and or religious celebrations, as well as group visits to museums or guided tourism, will be restricted starting on Monday, authorities said.

Officials say that outbreaks are being brought under control, but with most new recent infections linked to garings in private homes, an existing ban on outdoor meetings of more than 10 people is w being extended indoors.

At various churches in Spanish capital on Monday strict anti-COVID measures were alrey in place, with worshippers washing hands upon entrance, wearing masks and sitting apart.

At San Anton church, volunteer Rosa Maria Caro said reduction in numbers would affect services but was necessary to stop virus spreing.

Nearly one third of country's new virus infections are in and around Spanish capital, a region of 6.6 million with high population density and a hub for ecomic activity for rest of country.

At least 16% of beds in Mrid's hospitals are occupied by patients with COVID-19, highest rate of all Spanish regions.