Government to extend Covid-19 restrictions one more week

The Catalan government will extend the Covid-19 restrictions in force one more week, facing the sharp worsening of the pandemic.

The decision will be announced on Thursday early afternoon, as published by 3/24 channel and confirmed by ACN.

The restrictions announced on January 4 were expiring on January 17, but will now be in operation until at least January 24.

Measures

This means that residents in Catalonia will still not be allowed to leave their municipality of residence without a justified reason, including work, study, returning home, going to health centers, care of dependent relatives, demonstrating and force majeure.

Only shops of up to 400 sqm are allowed to open on weekdays under these measures, but retail has to remain closed at the weekend except for those providing essential goods.

Shopping malls will continue closed, as will gyms.

The rules for restaurants and cultural venues remain the same as now.

This means that restaurants will continue only to be allowed to open from 7am to 9.30am and from 1pm to 3.30pm. In the evening, take away and delivery services are only permitted.

As for theatres, cinemas and concert halls, they can open at 50% capacity with a maximum capacity of 1,000 people, as long as there is sufficient ventilation and access is controlled, otherwise, the capacity remains at 500.