Catalonia surpasses 5 million jabs given as quarter of population now fully immunized

Since the inoculation campaign against Covid-19 began at the end of December 2020, Catalonia has administered over five million Covid-19 vaccines.

In total, 5,057,762 jabs have been administered to Catalan residents. 

Exactly 25% of the population is now fully immunized, either with two doses of a vaccine brand that requires two doses, with one shot of the Janssen jab, or else one shot of another brand for people who have already recovered from the virus. 

A total of 41.1% of the population have at least one dose given to them as well. 

This week, the vaccination programme was opened up to people aged 40-45, while everybody older than that can also book their appointment.

With the inoculation campaign progressing well and with pandemic indicators improving, Spain decided to lift all state-wide restrictions on bars, restaurants, and nightclubs, thus leaving regional authorities fully in control of the de-escalation plan.

For Catalonia, the consequences of the new plan will be minimal: with health authorities reporting less than 100 Covid cases per 100,000 inhabitants, which put Catalonia into the medium-risk category, regional authorities already had the last say on what restrictions are in place.

In practice, nightclubs will remain shut until Catalan president Pere Aragonès and his cabinet say they can reopen, a decision which needs to be ratified by the PROCICAT civil protection body.

Bars and restaurants in Catalonia can open from 6 am to 1 am. The capacity is capped at 50% indoors, with no limits on outdoor seating. Up to 6 people can sit together at the same table except for larger groups encompassing members of the same household. Everyone must wear a face mask when not eating or drinking.  

Last month, a successful clinical trial of nightlife was held in the seaside town of Sitges, where hundreds of people were able to experience clubs and late bars once more. 

Foreigners not in health system can enquire at primary care centers

Foreign residents who are not eligible for CatSalut public health cards should seek information about obtaining their Covid-19 vaccines at their closest primary care center (CAP).

"As public health providers, our aim is to vaccinate everyone who lives here," public health secretary Carmen Cabezas told Catalan News.

For detailed information on how to access the public health system, click here.

For further details on how the Catalan healthcare system works, click here.

While most people, including undocumented migrants, have access to the public health system, higher-income foreigners who do not have Spanish Social Security numbers do not.

According to Cabezas, however, coronavirus jabs are a "basic" service, which is why residents in this situation who are registered in their local 'padró' census should "go to their nearest primary care center" to find out what can be done for them.