During a parliamentary session on Wednesday, the prime minister said that by mid-May, Spain would scale back restrictive measures and modify the lockdown. Sanchez added that the lockdown would only be lifted "[When] we are pre are prepared for it, because we are not going to take any risks."

Since March 14, there have already been two extensions to the isolation measures, and this week the parliament approved to lengthen the lockdown until the second week of May.

Response to Criticism

Part of what contributed Prime Minister Sanchez to reach the decision might have been social and political pressure, especially from other parties, such as from leader of the opposition Pablo Casado, whose post on Twitter might have incited some tension.

Additionally, Mayor Ada Colau criticized the parliament for prohibiting adults from letting their children play outside. "These children must go outside. No more waiting. Free our children!"

Colau expressed her concern, especially for other parents who worried about their children's "psychological and emotional health" during the lockdown.

The Spanish Children's Rights Coalition issued a caveat for possible mental and physical complications that may arise for children as a result of home isolation. They suggested that kids must have ample time and space to play every day.

Similarly, experts from the Spanish Society of Outpatient Pediatrics and Primary Care, or SEPEAP, said that for children to nurture and develop their physical and emotional capacities, they must not be confined in the house.

Playing outdoors need not necessarily mean the children must be taken to congested public areas, where they would be more likely to become infected.

In response to criticism, El Pais reported that Sanchez confessed some mistakes made in his administration. He added he wanted Spain to be progressive in the protection of the public.

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Declining Cases

The rate of new cases and death count in Spain already started to decline, and authorities are seeing functional implications from the 90,000 patients being discharged from the country's hospitals.

It appeared as though the curve has begun to flatten. Even the Director of the Health Ministry's Emergency Coordination Center, Fernando Simón, acknowledged that the figures must be suggesting a transition into the stabilization phase.

While the children were allowed to go out, Sanchez added that details on the organization of the plan must still be discussed and that they would allow it under the premise that parents or guardians could completely control the conditions their children would be in to avoid contagion.

Beginning April 27, children who were previously confined in households could finally enjoy the fresh air outside. The parliament was still yet to specify the details.

Health Minister Salvada Illa commended the decision to let children come out to play or go on walks. He said at a news conference, "This is a government that listens."