The town of Zahara, which once repelled many invading armies, is now a fortress that protected 1,400 people from Covid-19.

On March 14, the town of Zahara, southern Spain, cut itself off to the outside world as nCoV began to spread across the country. The medieval fortress became a "inviolable" area with Covid-19.

Mayor Santiago Galván, 40, decided to block four of the town's five entrances on the day of Spain's national warning about Covid-19. The country has recorded nearly 120,000 nCoV infections and more than 11,000 deaths. In Zahara, however, none of the 1,400 people were infected, while nearby towns and villages recorded numerous infections and some deaths.

"It has been more than two weeks for us to do isolation and I think it is a good sign," Galván said.

Zahara is a popular tourist destination with white painted houses winding on small roads on the slope. Galván said that in the first few days of isolation, they had to refuse tourists from France and Germany who did not know the measures of the local government. His drastic measures were supported by the people, especially the elderly. Nearly 25% of people here are 65 or older.

A policeman was always on duty at the checkpoint in and out, in addition to two people dressed in protective clothing standing next to the tanker of cleaning water, ready to spray disinfectant traffic back and forth.

"No vehicles are allowed to go through without disinfectant spraying," Galván said.

He acknowledged that these measures may be only 20-80% effective, but reassuring people. "We try to bring peace to the people," he said. "No one knows when the hidden virus could invade."

Similar precautions are taken in town. "By 17:30 on Monday and Thursday, a group of 10 people will go to disinfect streets, squares, outside houses throughout the town," he said.

A local business hired two women to deliver groceries and medical supplies to restrict people from going out, especially those most susceptible to nCoV. They work about 11 hours a day and the number of orders received is increasing. One of the two women, Auxi Rascon, 48, said the people in the town responded very well.

"They are very happy because they do not have to go out, they feel protected and very confident," she said. Rascon is also proud that the town has responded so quickly. "The government has taken appropriate measures, at the right time and now we have seen results."

In addition to organizing the delivery service, the Zaharilla Women's Union also looks after elderly people who cannot cook by their own door. A Facebook page was created for the elderly to post photos online. Luisa Ruiz Luna, proponent of the initiative, said it was a "good way for Zahara people living abroad to interact with us".

The town is also equipped with two music cars with lights so that "the kids can go to the balcony to enjoy," Galván said.

The economy of small towns like Zahara is largely based on family business and self-sufficiency. The town council has used the contingency fund to pay for electricity, water and taxes for local businesses.

For Galván, it is not just financial support, but also a way to preserve the Zahara community. "We will need financial help if the situation continues to last," he said.

Like millions of Spaniards, he closely follows the Ministry of Health's daily Covid-19 newsletter, hoping that like the wars that besieged Zahara for centuries, this battle will be end soon.