Masked and distanced, Spanish PM Sanchez hits the campaign trail

FILE PHOTO: Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez wears a face masks as he arrives to attend a session to request a sixth extension of the state of emergency amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak at Parliament in Madrid, Spain, June 3, 2020. Dani Duch/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo

BARCELONA (Reuters) - Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez wore a mask and avoided shaking hands with supporters at a political rally on Sunday as the coronavirus pandemic prompted changes to campaigning ahead of regional elections.

Polls in the Basque Country and Galicia on July 12 will be the first since Spain went into lockdown in March. Restrictions were eased on June 21, and Spaniards have been adapting to social distancing and precautionary measures in everyday life.