Curfew extension for 162 towns requested until August 6

The Catalan government will ask the High Court for permission to extend Covid-19 restrictions until August 6 and to reimpose a curfew in 162 municipalities, down from the 165 where the measure is currently in place. 

Because the curfew and restrictions infringe upon individual liberties, authorities must seek court approval on a weekly basis if they wish to enforce new Covid-curbing measures or prolong already existing ones. 

The towns of Figueres, Amposta, are Solsona now expected to come under the curfew, in place from 1 am to 6 am. Sitges, Igualada, Roses, Puigcerdà, Salt, Tàrrega, Tremp and Vilafant are expected to see the restriction lifted. 

The measure mainly affects municipalities with 5,000 or more residents and a 7-day Covid-19 incidence rate of 400 or more cases per 100,000 inhabitants, although it also applies to some with lower figures as they are surrounded by towns with higher rates. Catalonia as a whole currently has an average 1-week incidence rate of 508.76. 

Pandemic restrictions

Beyond the curfew, all bars and restaurants and other businesses throughout Catalonia must close by 12:30 am, while cultural events have to end by then as well. 

There is also a 10-person limit on gatherings in place.  

Authorities have advised local councils to close off parks, beaches, and other areas where people tend to get together at night.

Nightclubs are only allowed to open their outdoor areas to the public and dancing is not permitted. Facemasks must be worn when food and beverages are not being consumed. 

Covid-19 in Catalonia

Cases remain high in Catalonia, which was placed in the European Union's highest risk category on July 15 due to the spread of the Delta variant among younger, unvaccinated age groups, although they have begun to "stabilize."

However, in the latest pandemic update provided by health authorities on Tuesday, July 27, Catalonia saw the most deaths linked to Covid-19 in a single day since February, with 58.  

As of July 26, 2021, official figures, released daily on this website, state there have been 882,869 confirmed Covid-19 cases, while a total of 22,490 people have died since the beginning of the outbreak according to funeral homes.

Meanwhile, 4,928,817 residents have been given the first dose of the vaccine, 62.6% of the total population. Out of those, 3,873,794 have also been administered a second dose (49.6% of the total population). 4,364,693 residents are considered to be fully immunized (55.5%).