10-person cap on gatherings and 12:30 am limit on events and businesses in force on Thursday

The 10-person cap on gatherings across Catalonia will come into force on Thursday as soon as it is officially published in the official gazette (DOGC).

Announced on Monday, this measure approved by the High Court on Wednesday will be in operation on Thursday. In addition to this, all businesses will have to close and events will have to end by 12:30 am.

Local authorities are also advised to close off all public places where crowds tend to gather from 12:30 am to 6 am, such as parks and beaches – something that caused a stir among some mayors, who have asked for more "clarity" and have requested a full-fledged curfew.

Government asks for curfew 

President Aragonès chaired an extraordinary Covid-19 coordination meeting on Wednesday from 5 pm, in which the decision to ask for the court for permission to reinstate a curfew in Barcelona and 157 other municipalities was made. If approved, it will be in place in these cities and towns from 1 am to 6 am.

Vice President Jordi Puigneró, presidency minister Laura Vilagrà, interior minister Joan Ignasi Elena, health minister Josep Maria Argimon and the cabinet spokesperson, Patrícia Plaja, were also in attendance.

Aragonès made an official statement at 7:30 pm to announce the outcome of the meeting.