12 towns ask for curfew to curb public drinking

Mayors of 12 different towns north of Barcelona have requested to the Catalan government that the nightly curfew be applied to their municipalities. 

The towns in the counties of Maresme and Vallès Oriental have asked for the extraordinary measure to be applied to curb public drinking. 

The nightly stay-at-home mandate was first announced on December 20 and came into effect on December 24. The measure will be in force for two weeks initially and will be reviewed and possibly extended by authorities before this time period expires.

The curfew only applies to towns in Catalonia with a population of above 10,000 with a Covid-19 incidence rate of over 250. As of December 26, 2021, the incidence rate across all of Catalonia stood at 1,358.

However, the 12 municipalities in the counties of Maresme and Vallès Oriental have populations below this threshold, so the measure wouldn’t normally apply for them. 

The towns in question are: Tiana, Alella, Teià, Vilassar de Dalt, Cabrils, Cabrera de Mar, Òrrius, Vilanova del Vallès, Vallromanes, Santa Maria de Martorelles, Martorelles and Sant Fos de Campsentelles.

Their mayors have sent a letter to the Catalan government, adding that if the curfew is not possible, then they would like to see extra police forces deployed in their areas to stop public drinking during the Christmas festivities. 

They point out that many people may come to towns such as theirs where the curfew doesn’t apply for celebrations such as New Year's Eve, given especially that nightclubs will be closed.

During the last curfew in the summer, the mayors’ letter said that “uncontrollable” public drinking sessions took place in various parts of the Serralada park, leading them to eventually close access points and parking areas of the park.