ARCHIVED - Closing time at bars and restaurants in Catalunya brought forward to 00.30
Restrictions return as Catalunya reports the highest Covid infection rate in Spain
As coronavirus rates continue to rise sharply across Spain the regional government of Catalunya, which currently has the highest 14-day rate at 726 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, is to take a step backwards on the path towards the desired post-pandemic “new normal”, it was announced on Monday evening.
The limit of 10 people on social gatherings is to be re-introduced, bars and restaurants will be obliged to close no later than 00.30 and those attending events such as concerts are to remain seated. In addition, government spokeswoman Patricia Plaja has specified that eating and drinking outdoors other than in restaurant terraces is to be banned.
The measures are still to be approved by the regional High Court of Catalunya but are expected to come into force during this week.
At the same time, the department of Health in Catalunya has announced that it is bringing forward the administration of the second dose of Covid vaccine for those in their 60s in an effort to minimize the effects of the fifth wave of contagion. The region currently has the highest 14-day rate of infection among Spain’s 17 regions at 726 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, and 18.9 per cent of beds in intensive care units are occupied by Covid patients (as opposed to 7.9 per cent in Spain as a whole).
While the situation continues to worsen it is also reported that the Catalan government is studying the possibility of re-introducing a night-time curfew, a step which has already been taken by their counterparts in the neighbouring Comunidad Valenciana.