Paralysed by snowstorm, Spain sends out Covid-19 vaccine and food convoys

Two runways at one terminal of Madrid's Barajas main global airport re-opened and the airport operator said that of around 400 flights scheduled to fly in and out on Monday, 117 had been cancelled.

The State Metereological Agency (Aemet) said up to 20-30cm of snow fell in Madrid on Saturday, the most since 1971.

In the Madrid suburb of Majadahonda, around 90 people have been snowed in at a shopping centre since Friday, regional emergency services said.

At least four people have died as a result of flash floods or low temperatures brought by Storm Filomena.

'We're very aware of the importance of keeping their access clear, said Felix Sanchez, a 52-year-old Madrid resident, as he helped out at the entrance to the Gregorio Maronon hospital.

The national weather agency reported that as of 7 a.m. local time, the snowfall in Madrid reached a level unseen in half a century.

"Due to the heavy snow in Madrid the airport has suspended operations at least until Sunday evening - if you are flying to or from Madrid, follow @aena or contact your airline", Foreign Minister Arancha Gonzalez Laya tweeted.

State releases latest COVID vaccine plan
Each requires two doses administered at least 21 days apart for the Pfizer vaccine and 28 days apart for the Moderna vaccine . As of this morning, he reported that the state has received 522,550 doses of vaccine, including from Moderna and Pfizer.

Spaniards in large parts of the country have been warned to take care in the coming days as temperatures could fall to -12C (14F) in some areas until Thursday.

People walk by the Spanish Parliament in central Madrid. Spain's transport minister announced they will be sending convoys transporting the vaccine and food supplies to those in need, after around 20,000 kilometers of road around Spain became blocked because of snow.

Neighbours meeting during heavy snowfall in Bustarviejo, outskirts of Madrid, Spain.

The wintry weather disrupted Spain's soccer league, with some teams unable to travel for games.

Schools were closed on Monday in the regions of Castilla La Mancha, Madrid, and many other areas of Spain.

Woman skies past the Cibeles monument in central Madrid, Spain, after heavy snowfall. Many of them decided to make the most of this "emergency situation", as videos on social media show people having snowball fights, as well as skiing and sliding through the streets.

Luc " a Vall " s, a coach for a Madrid-based ski club who usually has to travel to faraway mountains with her clients, was thrilled to see the white layers of snow accumulating literally at her doorstep.