Public health secretary in favor of keeping 'most' Covid restrictions beyond February 7

Catalan health secretary Josep Maria Argimon believes that "most" of the Covid-19 restrictions currently in place should be extended beyond February 7, which is when they are set to expire, although "more drastic measures" could be required if the spread of the British Covid-19 variant leads to a spike in cases.

In an interview with public Catalan broadcaster TV3 on Friday morning, Argimon stated that he was in favor of maintaining the 10 pm curfew, municipal mobility restrictions, and measures currently limiting retail businesses as well as bars and restaurants.

The public health secretary, however, stressed that this was his own view and that authorities were yet to make a decision on the matter.

The number of Covid-19 cases reported daily has been decreasing, the official said, but the trend has been a slow one that could potentially change if the British variant of the virus ends up increasing transmissions in Catalonia.

Argimon also said he believed it would still take weeks for ICU hospitalizations to dip, which is why, he argued, restrictions will have to be in place "for a while".

Voting by mail

Sending mail-in ballots is the best way to vote in the Catalan election likely to be held on February 14, the public health secretary told TV3, as avoiding in-person voting at polling stations will reduce a person's chances of contracting the disease.

Despite potential vaccine administration delays as Catalonia is set to run out of reserves this week, Argimon was hopeful 85% of nursing home residents will have received both doses by February 14.