100% capacities at cultural events expected ‘within two weeks’

Cultural events will be able to welcome audiences at 100% capacity “within two weeks,” according to Catalonia’s health minister.

Josep Maria Argimon made such comments on Catalonia’s public broadcaster TV3 on Friday morning. 

The minister said the sector will be able to return to full capacity “very soon.” Currently, capacity limits at cultural events are capped at 70%, with a maximum of 1,000 in indoor venues and 4,000 in outdoor venues, although indoor venues sufficiently ventilated can welcome up to 3,000 audience members.

Argimon also insisted that he only wants to see Covid passports used for nightlife as a "temporary" step to ensure safety, despite acknowledging that it is being used to reopen a sector that, by its nature, includes social interaction among people, creating a "certain risk

Regardless, he has ruled out asking to see Covid passports used in other sectors already open, such as in bars and restaurants, or culture, although he said it could be considered as something to apply before having to close spaces down if the pandemic situation were to worsen.

“If we see the data getting worse, before making a restriction we would ask for the possibility of using the Covid digital certificate,” he said.

Health minister celebrates return of nightlife

Argimon also celebrated the first night of the reopening of indoor nightlife venues positively. 

He said that Catalonia saw 20,000 QR code readings of Covid passports allowing people to access nightclubs. The forecast is that there will be more this weekend.

"It is the sector that has suffered the most and has been closed the longest," the minister said.

In addition, Argimon acknowledged that it is “necessary” for people "young and not so young” to enjoy nightlife.

“It’s a step towards normalization,” he said, pointing out that the first night passed without incidents.