COVID-19 in Spain and the Use of Geospatial Information

Abstract

[EN] Spain declared a state of emergency on 14 March because of the serious situation due to Covid-19. Three months later there were more than 27,000 confirmed deaths due to the virus. During this period there were many initiatives using geospatial information to predict, follow, and detect infections, as well as control mobility. These measures were implemented by the central government, as well as regional governments and local councils. Most of these geospatial applications use open-access geospatial information that reuse public sector information and add value to this data. In this way, open data supports decision-making by the administration. Numerous thematic maps, spatial analyses, geoportals, websites, and mobile applications have recently appeared; and never have so many boundary maps have been published in the Spanish media. Geospatial information in Spain is likely to continue playing an important role as the pandemic evolves, and greater resilience is needed to address this and future challenges.