Under guidelines issued by the Prime Minister's office, companies returning to work must provide appropriate protective equipment and ensure employees have space to be at least two metres apart...

Some workers expressed concern that a relaxation could trigger a surge in cases...

In northern Spain, a factory that makes gearboxes for wind turbines welcomed back workers — but only after they'd shown their temperatures were normal...

Business association CEOE warned that many companies, particularly the small firms that make up the bulk of the Spanish economy, do not have access to the protective equipment like gloves and masks needed to guarantee the safety of staff.

Some regional leaders also criticised the moves, fearing a resurgence of the coronavirus outbreak, which is weighing heavily on the Spanish economy, with some 900,000 jobs lost since mid-March.