The Catalan government has decided to toughen the criteria for the coronavirus curfew which applies to many municipalities throughout Catalonia and over half of the Catalan population. The intention is to further slow down the fifth wave of the virus, driven by the Delta variant. Up till now, the night-time confinement from 1 am to 6am has been applied to municipalities of more than 5,000 inhabitants with an IA7 of over 400 (that is, more than 400 cases per 100,000 inhabitants over seven days). Now, however, the criteria have changed and those with an IA7 equal to or greater than 250 cases will also become part of the list of municipalities under curfew.
The change, according to the Catalan authorities, is due to the increase in pressure on the hospital system and in primary care, which are bursting at the seams. This Tuesday there are 2,226 people hospitalized for coronavirus, 589 of whom are in critical care.
Below, the searchable list of the 176 towns and cities likely to be affected by the new measure [now confirmed after court confirmation on Thursday].
Why the change of approach?
Catalan government spokesperson Patrícia Plaja says this new threshold level is justified because at the beginning "we set an extremely high criterion, with 400 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, when with 150 cases, the risk is already high".
According to the Spanish government, an IA7 incidence of more than 250 cases - the new limit set in Catalonia - already indicates an extreme risk. Right now, according to data from the Catalan ministry of health, the overall IA7 incidence around this country is 320.06 cases, while the IA14 - over fourteen days - is 845.38.
Thus, with the new rules, the restriction will affect many more municipalities, which up till now did not reach the limit. From last Thursday there were 162 Catalan towns affected, but in the next period from this Thursday night there will be 176 towns locked down overnight. This has now been confirmed as the Catalan High Court has given the measure the green light.
Extended for two more weeks
In addition, the Catalan government is asking the court to grant the curfew for the next fortnight, and not just seven days, as has been done so far. Remember, the previous curfew, which was imposed throughout the Spanish state in October 2020, was lifted on May 9th. The Catalan government reimposed curfew with court approval from 17th July in order to slow down the fifth wave to hit Catalonia.
Vaccine jabs for 12-to-15 year olds from Wednesday
With the current epidemiological situation, the Catalan government has also announced the start of vaccination for a new group. All those aged 12 and over will be able to be vaccinated from this Wednesday, the Catalan executive has announced today Tuesday. Specifically, vaccine jabs will now begin for young people between twelve and fifteen years old, of whom there are approximately 300,000 in Catalonia. They can book a vaccination jab from tomorrow through the CatSalut system.
The president of Catalonia, Pere Aragonès, said it was "good news" that Catalonia has passed the milestone of five million people having had their first dose. "Now it's time to take a step forward: from Wednesday, young people between 12 and 15 years old will be able to book a vaccine shot," said Aragonès during his press appearance.
Main image: Curfew in Barcelona / Carlos Baglietto