Spain to further ease lockdown in Madrid, Barcelona from Monday

FILE PHOTO: A border police officer gestures as they check vehicles at the last toll gate entering Spain from France, following an order from the Spanish government to set up controls at its land borders over coronavirus, in La Jonquera, Spain March 17, 2020. REUTERS/Nacho Doce/File Photo

MADRID (Reuters) - Coronavirus lockdown restrictions in the hard-hit cities of Madrid and Barcelona will be eased further from next week, Spanish health minister Salvador Illa told a news conference on Friday.

From Monday, customers will be allowed to eat and drink inside bars and restaurants rather than just on outdoor terraces and children will be able to play outside at any time of day, not just in dedicated time slots.