With just over a week to go before the end of the state of alarm, the Catalan government has decided to maintain most of the current measures against coronavirus in Catalonia. Although there are small changes, the health authorities have opted to wait until May 9th to begin a more significant de-escalation.
The first such change, set for Sunday May 9th itself, is that bars and restaurants will be allowed to open for dinner, both inside the premises and outside on terraces until 11pm, and with a capacity of 30%. Thus, the cancellation of the state of alarm will be the next signal for further changes in the measures applying in Catalonia. As well, after May 9th, amusement parks and rides will be able to reopen at up to 30% of normal maximum capacity.
However, this relaxation of restaurant measures is combined with an intention to maintain the curfew in Catalonia even after the withdrawal of the state of alarm, which is what currently gives it legal coverage. On Tuesday, May 4th, the Catalan government plans to pass a decree amending the the Public Health Act that will allow the curfew to be maintained, although it is possible that its timing may differ.
Here are all the current Covid restrictions in Catalonia, with changes set down for after this weekend - May 3rd - and those foreseen from May 9th on, marked in bold:
MOBILITY AND GATHERINGS
- Free movement within Catalonia
- All entries and departures from Catalonia are prohibited without justifiable reasons.
- Social gatherings are limited to 6 people, with no bubble group maximum.
- Curfew is maintained from 10pm to 6am, seven days a week. The intention of the government after May 9th is to keep it in force, although it may start later at night.
- For journeys out of or into Catalonia for justifiable reasons, or travel during hours of curfew, you should fill out a certificate of self-responsibility (English language version can be selected).
BARS AND RESTAURANTS
- Coinciding with the end of the state of alarm, set for May 9th, the Catalan government plans to allow bars and restaurants to open for dinner. They will be able to open until eleven o'clock at night with current capacity limits.
- Until May 9th, bars and restaurants are able to open all day from 7:30am until 5pm.
- Up to six people can sit together at a table, from any number of bubble groups.
- The maximum capacity of bars and restaurants remains at: 100% of usual maximum on terraces with space between tables, and 30% inside.
- Takeaway food can be prepared and sold throughout the day.
SHOPPING
- All retail businesses, regardless of size, can now open their entire establishment, including weekend opening.
- In shops, the maximum occupancy of 30% of normal capacity is maintained.
SPORT
- NEW: Assemblies of sporting bodies will now be permitted, with occupancy of spaces up to 50% of the normal maximum, and an absolute maximum of 500 people (or 1,000 with good ventilation).
- Occupancy of all sporting facilities up to 50% of the normal maximum for the space is possible.
- Sports competitions can continue for those aged under 16. This is in addition to the already-resumed federated sports competitions for over-16s.
- The public are now allowed to attend all those sports competitions with a pre-assigned seat, except for national and international ones that have prohibitions from other bodies.
- Changing rooms are now in use again.
- Pools can operate at 50% of normal maximum capacity.
EDUCATION
- In-person teaching in upper secondary (batxillerat) and vocational (formació professional) education.
- At universities, in-person attendance for first and second year courses continues with a classroom occupancy of 30% of capacity.
- School extracurricular activities are open for all ages.
- Overnight stays are allowed on school outings as long as they involve the classroom bubble group.
ENTERTAINMENT, CULTURE & RELIGIOUS EVENTS
- NEW: Children's playgrounds will be able to open beyond 8pm.
- From May 10th, amusement parks and fairs can reopen.
- From May 10th, the reopening of civic centres will be allowed.
- Spaces for children's play activities can open to 30% of normal capacity, without restaurant services.
- Cinemas, theatres, auditoriums and concert halls can continue to open for regular programming.
- Special cultural events can be held: the earlier prohibition on festivals, galas and awards ceremonies has been lifted.
- Popular and traditional culture is allowed as long as activities are static and take place within perimeters or enclosed spaces, with the same capacity limitations as cultural activities, and with the audience seated.
- Gambling halls, bingo halls and casinos can open with a maximum of 100 people, or occupancy of up to 30% of maximum if they are ventilated spaces.
- Museums, libraries and exhibition halls may also open.
- Capacity must always be limited to 50% of normal maximum, with an absolute maximum of 500 people. If there is optimal ventilation, this can be extended to 1,000 people
- "Civic centre" activities have been resumed for those over 60 in the open air and with a maximum of six people.
And with regard to religious events, they must be celebrated as follows:
- Religious events and acts can be held at 50% of the normal maximum capacity.
- The absolute maximum number of people at an indoor event is 500, while those outdoors or with optimal ventilation have a maximum of 1,000.
Main image: Bars and restaurants in shopping malls can now open until 5pm. From May 9th, all restaurants will be able to open for dinner / ACN