Spain declares emergency as coronavirus shuts down parades, schools, shops

A worker cleans an empty terrace in unusually quiet Plaza Mayor in central Madrid, Spain, March 13, 2020. REUTERS/Sergio Perez

MADRID (Reuters) - Major Spanish regions shut shops, bars and restaurants, car plants ground to a halt and Easter parades were cancelled as Spain prepared to enter a 15-day state of emergency on Friday, in a sharp escalation of its fight against the coronavirus.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said the number of cases could top 10,000 by next week - more than double the current level - and asked citizens to play their part.