Spain’s health minister has urged authorities in Madrid to tighten restrictions in the coronavirus hotspot, warning that the capital’s residents and surrounding regions were at “serious risk” without tougher curbs.

Madrid extended a partial lockdown on Friday in several dozen districts with high infection rates, rejecting national government recommendations for a city-wide lockdown as cases continue to surge in the capital.

“Madrid is in a situation of serious risk and it’s time to act with determination,” Health Minister Salvador Illa told a news conference.

“There is a serious risk for inhabitants, for the neighbouring regions,” he said, calling on the capital’s regional authorities to “put the health of citizens first”.