People in the Spanish state will have to wait until 2 May before being allowed to go out for exercise and for walks. And that is if coronavirus contagion figures go down, said Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.

This is the second time that the Spanish government has moved to ease strict confinement measures that have been in place since March 14. 

"If we act with prudence, this first relief measure will be followed by another one a week later, " said PSOE (Socialist Party) leader and Prime Minister Sánchez, who leads a coalition government in partnership with the leftist Unidas Podemos.

The PM added: "If the evolution of the pandemic keeps moving in a positive manner, starting on 2 May people will be allowed to go out for individual activity and for walks with the people that we live with."

Sánchez said that the deescalation of confinement measures will take place throughout May but added: "We will see what happens in the month of June. I would like to convey to you the importance of being cautious. This is not a race to see who is the first to reopen a shopping mall or a small business establishment."

Daily coronavirus deaths have been below 400 for the past two days in the Spanish day, a substancial drop from the 600 registered in the past weeks. 

The pandemic has hit the Spanish state hard: the official death toll is 23.190.