Barcelona exits quarantine: bars, cafes, and cinemas open to visitors

Catalonia allowed residents to visit bars and restaurants but extend curfews.

The Catalan authorities decided to relax the quarantine measures imposed on businesses and citizens during the second wave of the virus. Since November 23, cafes, bars, and restaurants have opened in the provinces of Barcelona, Tarragona, Gerona, and Lleida, and cinemas and fitness clubs have been reopened. 

According to the new decree of the Government of Catalonia, the curfew, previously introduced from 10 pm to 6 am, will be extended for the coming weeks and will affect catering, entertainment, and service companies. 

Simultaneously, restrictions that do not allow more than six people to gather in groups will be abolished on December 21, on the eve of New Year and Christmas celebrations. It will increase to ten people from the current limit. As expected, the curfew during the holidays may also be tightened. 

“We are on the right track, but there is still a long road ahead,” commented the head of Catalonia, Pere Aragones.

As of November 20, 2020, Catalonia is the region with the most difficult epidemiological situation in Spain after Madrid. According to the government, the number of infections is estimated at almost 300 thousand cases. 

Reuters recalls that Catalonia is one of the regions with the most severe restrictions: in October, all of the provinces, including Barcelona, closed public catering facilities, which caused massive protests from business representatives. 

Under the new rules, bars and restaurants will be able to open their terraces. The tables are no more than 2 meters away and can accommodate no more than four people. Exceptions can be made for members of the same family. Stationary cafes can be filled only by 30%. Theaters, cinemas, and concert halls will resume their work provided that they are 50% full, fitness clubs – no more than 30%. 

Photo credit: Photogenica.