ARCHIVED - Barcelona will allow beaches to be used during San Juan festivities
Beaches are being closed in some areas altogether and in others tight controls are being implemented to prevent gatherings
Spanish beaches are traditionally the place to celebrate Midsummer, on the "Noche de san Juan" but the Covid-19 pandemic has put a damper on things again this year with many towns announcing they will be closing their beaches or banning parties altogether.
Barcelona City Council has reiterated its intention to leave the city’s beaches open during the San Juan celebrations on 23-24 June, despite the regional authorities’ and Civil Protection’s recommendations to close them off to the public.
The reason, Councillor Eloi Badia explained, is to ensure that the maximum amount of public space possible is made available to avoid crowding.
The beaches, however, will lack two of the main ingredients usually present for San Juan celebrations: music and alcohol, although bonfires will be allowed.