Abstract

Chapter
First Online: 04 May 2022
Part of the Local and Urban Governance book series (LUG)

Abstract

Although initially the Spanish government played a clearly predominant role in the governmental response to the COVID-19 crisis in Spain, the role of regional and local governments has rapidly grown. In fact, the role of local governments has now become essential in controlling local outbreaks of the pandemic and, above all, in alleviating its social and economic effects. This chapter analyses, from the local government perspective, the instruments used by local authorities to control and halt the spread of COVID-19 during the first year of the pandemic: Firstly, by analysing regulatory instruments aimed at limiting the movements of people and other regulations on public spaces, public transport and traffic. Secondly, by identifying local policies aimed at tackling the social and economic consequences of the pandemic, taking into account the spending limitations imposed upon local governments during the last decade. Thirdly, by examining the organisational transformations of local governments (teleworking, the implementation of e-government, and so on), and local services within the context of the pandemic.

Cite this chapter
Galindo Caldés, R., Vilalta Reixach, M. (2022). Local Government Response to COVID-19: Some Insights from Spain. In: Nunes Silva, C. (eds) Local Government and the COVID-19 Pandemic. Local and Urban Governance. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-91112-6_9

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